The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued more warnings of inclement weather across the Western Cape for the next few days.
This includes a level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall and a level 6 warning for damaging coastal and interior winds.
The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre’s spokesperson Charlotte Powell says potential impacts include flooding, falling debris and power interruptions.
Powell says they are currently investigating reports of wind damage and mudslides overnight.
“We advise the public to please take heed of the warnings, and to help reduce the potential risk to their properties by clearing out drainage systems, raising the floor level of their structures, digging trenches around the house to divert water away, check that their gutters are clear, that all dead tree branches or any other items that could potentially cause obstructions are cleared.”
“Please also be prepared for sudden gusts of wind and check for any loose items on your property that would need to be secured to prevent damage or potential injuries,” adds Powell.
Western Cape Weather | SAWS issues warning for disruptive rains and high winds:
New moon spring tide
The National Sea Rescue Institute has appealed to bathers, boaters, paddlers and shoreline anglers to exercise caution around the coastline as the new moon Spring tide peaks from today.
Spokesperson Craig Lambinon says spring tides pose a potential hazard to bathers and rip currents may be stronger than normal.
“The concern is that during this, the final weekend of school holidays, the coastline will be experiencing the new moon Spring tide during a time where sea conditions are naturally rougher than normal because of winter storms and cold fronts passing over parts of the coastline and deep sea off the South African coastline.”
Lambinon says, “We are urgently appealing to coastal water users to be cautious during this new moon Spring tide phase and the effect Spring tide has around the coast over this weekend.”
