Damaging winds and localised flooding have left approximately 15 000 people without electricity in the Western Cape.

That is according to Eskom, which exempted several towns and cities in the Western and Eastern Cape coastal areas from load-shedding as a result of widespread damage to electricity infrastructure.

The power utility this afternoon stated that the number of residents without power is significantly less than the estimated 82 000 Western Cape residents who were disconnected yesterday.

“Areas still affected are Caledon, Greyton, Grabouw, Jagersbos, Kraaifontein, Worcester, Somerset West, surrounding areas, as well as parts of Khayelitsha,” reads Eskom’s statement

#EskomWesternCape #MediaStatement
UPDATE:
Approximately 15000 customers across the Western Cape are still without power. Eskom has intensified efforts to restore electricity supply to customers and has significantly reduced the number of customers without electricity to 15 000 pic.twitter.com/rZOALg86S9

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) September 26, 2023

Roads closed

Torrential rain has left several roads still inaccessible. The Western Cape Government says an updated list of closed roads can be viewed here.

⚠️⛔ ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE!

There are still a number of road closures across the province. Stay updated 👉 https://t.co/MuxXS0VKXX pic.twitter.com/NyqbcOtzRB

— Western Cape Gov (@WesternCapeGov) September 26, 2023

NSRI assists

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says multiple residents were evacuated from Kays Caravan Park in Strand yesterday morning.

Their rescue swimmers, along with other emergency services providers and police, helped evacuate commuters at Croydon Railway Station in Somerset West. They also assisted in evacuating residents in Strand and Gordons Bay, as well as surrounding areas where homes were affected by flooding.

Our volunteer rescue crews have been busy throughout the Western Cape, assisting people and animals affected by the severe storms in the province. #CapeStorm https://t.co/Q2il94kaEF

— National Sea Rescue Institute (@NSRI) September 26, 2023

SANBS bleeds dry

The storms have impacted the bloodstock levels of the national blood bank. The SANBS therefore pleads with citizens to donate blood as they currently have two days of blood supply for O- and three days for O+.

The #CapeStorm has impacted some of our operations. We urge you to please support us this week and donate blood. We only have 2 days’ blood supply for O- and 3 days’ for O+.

Visit https://t.co/L7nOJSvMuh to find a venue close to you. #WesternCape #CapeTown pic.twitter.com/kvPB58o0OV

— Western Cape Blood Service (@The_WCBS) September 26, 2023

Fatalities

Radio 2000 reports that eight people, in separate incidents, died after being electrocuted. Four of the victims are reported to be children.

The City of Cape Town says eight people, including four children, have died in separate incidents after being electrocuted in inclement weather. Heavy rainfall and gale force winds over have caused widespread destruction across the Western Cape. #sabcnews

— Radio 2000 News (@NewsRadio2000) September 26, 2023

Damage

Social media users have shared videos and photos of the damage caused.

Western Cape – Keisers River: McGregor pic.twitter.com/rrLFDvsn0f

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) September 26, 2023

Avalon Springs, Montagu 💔#CapeStorm #Flooding @pmcafrica pic.twitter.com/mYAujtLJpR

— Peché Africa 🇿🇦 (@pmcafrica) September 26, 2023

Authorities in the Western Cape will begin mopping operations and damage assessments at first light, after gale force winds and heavy rains lashed communities over the long weekend. #CapeStorm pic.twitter.com/4JGzuvF5DU

— AfricanTimes2005 (@African_TimesSA) September 26, 2023

Western Cape – R328 Swartberg Pass: ROAD CLOSED due to flooding #CapeStorm @gardenroute_dm pic.twitter.com/jTSyqn7K8G

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) September 26, 2023

N2 at Spine Road#CapeStorm pic.twitter.com/QWu4LgXFUm

— KaYoS (@KaYoS_Boy) September 26, 2023