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Mopping up after damage, flooding
Storm exacts a heavy toll
Yael Malgas
S
tormy weather once again brought destruction to the province this week, but it seems Stellenbosch was largely spared long-term woes.
A Level 8 weather warning was issued for the Cape Winelands for Monday (11 May) and Tuesday (12 May) and flooded streets and drains, uprooted trees and power outages were recorded all over the municipal area. In Franschhoek many trees were uprooted while rivers in various areas had burst their banks. Clean-up operations by Stellenbosch municipal workers are still ongoing. Severe weather conditions forced many local schools to send children home on Monday. By 11:00, Stellenzicht Secondary, Klapmuts Primary and other schools advised parents and guardians to collect learners.
Officials of Stellenbosch Municipality had a busy week as clean-up operations took place throughout the municipal area. Photo: Stellenbosch Municipality
The provincial education department released a circular announcing all schools in the province were to be closed on Tuesday. “Our default position is always to keep schools open and to close schools only in exceptional circumstances, but we are mindful of the severity of the warnings in place,” said education MEC David Maynier. By 13:30 Monday 227 schools had applied for closure, a number confirming storm damage. By Tuesday afternoon much of the cold front had passed. DAM LEVELS RISE The rain of the last few days also bolstered waning dam levels. The City of Cape Town said dam levels had risen to a collective 61,2% by Tuesday. All medical facilities were open by Wednesday, but the Department of Health and Wellness said unsafe roads and strong winds meant all mobile clinics remained closed. Water-damage clean-up operations in the region continued. Library users in Franschhoek had to wait as their facility was temporarily closed after flooding, “to ensure the safety of our patrons and staff,” the municipality said. “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding and patience.” Stellenbosch University’s library suffered the same fate. Flooding there had come just weeks after flood waters broke through its doors in April. The library was expected to reopen on Wednesday. Humanitarian aid was offered to residents in Franschhoek and Khayamandi by Gift of the Givers and Shoprite Checkers’ Act for Changes soup kitchen, which helped feed residents affected by the adverse weather conditions.
‘Krisantblomme is soos kinders’ ’n “Blombom” het die afgelope naweek die Dwarsriviervallei getref toe die nasionale krisantskou in Pniël gehou is. Blomliefhebbers het die saal van die Congregational kerk volgepak om die mooiste spogblomme van die Wes-Kaapse kwekers te aanskou. MJ Faro (6) was een van die skougangers wat met opgewondenheid die krisante besigtig het. Kwekers sê krisante is soos kinders. Eikestadnuus se voormalige redakteur Elsabé Retief het die foto geneem. Sy skryf: “Ek wou nog altyd ’n kind se kop met van hierdie krisante vergelyk en siedaar, die krisant van Gregory Davids is groter as dié van klein MJ!” Berig en nog foto’s op bladsy 4.