Damage assessments are continuing across the Garden Route and Little Karoo after back-to-back storm systems lashed the region earlier this month, leaving three people dead and infrastructure across multiple municipalities severely damaged.
The Garden Route District Municipality says road closures and power outages persist more than two weeks after the first cold front struck, with some communities having gone without electricity for as long as twelve days.
Roads and infrastructure
At the peak of the disaster, at least 45 roads across the eastern parts of the district were closed. Major routes including Meiringspoort Pass and roads in the Langkloof remain shut, while the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre confirmed that some schools in flood and wind-damaged areas have not yet reopened.
Around 650 people were placed in community halls at the height of the displacement, after losing their homes to flooding and gale-force winds that exceeded 100km/h on 11 May.
Ongoing recovery
Garden Route Disaster head Gerhard Otto said electricity has been restored to most areas, although work continues in remote parts of the Langkloof. The municipality is urging residents to report flood-related incidents to its 24/7 Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193.
