Heavy storms and flooding fears force closure of Western Cape schools
The Western Cape government is closing schools due to storm and flooding fears as several weather warnings remain. Here is more information.
Several schools in the Western Cape will be closed on Monday due to flood fears, with weather warnings remaining.
SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AMID FLOODING FEARS
This comes as wildfires, blown-off roofs, and uprooted trees as gale-force winds hit parts of the Western Cape.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has cautioned residents to ensure that they are safe as strong gale-force winds and fires sweep across the province.
“We need to stay safe out there. The wind is really strong. We (had) some serious fires running through Stellenbosch and Drakenstein yesterday and this morning,”Winde said in a video message on Sunday.
THE WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE WREAKED HAVOC IN THE PROVINCE ON SUNDAY
We expect storm conditions to persist until Tuesday.
The Western Cape government also asks private schools to close and tourists to avoid the Winelands and Somerset West.
A fire gutted Blaauwklippen Manor House, built on one of the oldest wine farms in Stellenbosch, on Sunday morning.
THE WEATHER HAS RESULTED IN THE CLOSURE OF SEVERAL ROADS
Gale-force winds wreaking havoc have led to the closure of Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town and the Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 highway near Paarl.
The management closed Somerset Mall on Sunday morning after the roof sheeting was blown off.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the official account of Cape Town City Football Club tweeted that, due to extremely escalating weather conditions and in the interest of supporters and staff safety, disaster management has declared that fans will not be permitted to attend today’s game against AmaZulu.
THE SOMERSET MALL CLOSED AFTER THE ROOF SHEETING BLEW OFF
We will contact fans who have bought tickets for today’s match in due course. We will make an announcement shortly in collaboration with the PSL regarding the possible postponement of the game.
The South African Weather Service issued a high-level warning for winds of up to 80km/h expected in parts of South Africa today and tomorrow.
THESE CONDITIONS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO ROUGH SEAS
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecasts near-gale to gale force winds, with speeds of 62-80km/h and gusts up to 90-100km/h, over the City of Cape Town, Cape Winelands, and the Overberg from Saturday evening through Sunday.
The prolonged duration of these winds is a cause for concern, as they could potentially lead to significant impacts.
The level six warning is in place from Saturday until Sunday midnight.
AUTHORITIES ISSUED A LEVEL SIX WARNING
It also cautioned about the risk of navigation difficulties at sea and the potential for small vessels and personal watercraft (such as kayaks) to take on water and capsize in the area.
“A combination of strong to near-gale / gale force winds and other weather conditions will lead to low water levels, resulting in negative storm surge along the south-west to south-east coastline of South Africa in places between Saldanha and Gqeberha,”the SAWS said.
It explained that a negative storm surge refers to an abnormal rise of water over and above predicted astronomical tides.