Thoughts of his wife and daughter, along with prayer, kept Craig Solomons calm as he waited to be rescued, watching helplessly as heavy rain flooded his bakkie. 

The 47-year-old was one of many people caught in the storm that has left a trail of destruction in the Western Cape. 
 
The severe weather has claimed the lives of six people and has affected thousands of residents.  

Solomons, who works as a driver for a logistics company, had delivered diesel to a retail store in Worcester yesterday (May 12) at 02:00. 

After the delivery, he was returning to his home in Cape Town at around 04:00 when he became stranded at the Breede Valley municipal landfill and waste drop-off site. 

“I was taking the R43 because it was the only road that was open at the time, when suddenly I hit a puddle. My bakkie and trailer slipped into a ditch. I knew the vehicle would not start because the water was deep and partially flooded the vehicle. It was raining heavily, and there were strong winds,” explains Solomons. 

He contacted his wife and colleagues to inform them of the situation. 

“I was lucky that at that moment I had phone signal and was able to inform my family and colleagues about my location and the help I needed,” he says. 

At around 08:00, Solomons got out of the vehicle and attempted to walk to safety. 

“The water was knee-high and extremely cold. The current was so strong that it was pushing me back. The mud was thick and, as I attempted to walk, my shoes got stuck and I fell into the water. I realised that if I continued trying to walk, I would get swept away,” he adds. 

Solomons then got back into his vehicle and waited to be rescued. 

Long wait for rescue 

“I just thought about my wife and daughter. I wanted to get back to them. I kept praying and tried to stay calm. Around me, I could only see water. It was very frightening. After about eight hours, a rescue team came to my aid,” he says. 

Solomons explains that the rescue team members were wearing specialised suits that enabled them to navigate through the water. 

“I was carried to safety. I am eternally grateful to everyone who helped me.” 
 
He was not injured but says his feet are sore. “Staying calm, prayer and thoughts of my family helped me get through this ordeal,” he adds. 

Trapped on roofs 

In a separate incident, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and other emergency services rescued 23 people, including farm workers and their families, who were trapped on the roof of a building at a farm between Worcester and Rawsonville along the old N1 roadway. 

Craig Lambinon, the spokesperson for the NSRI, says they had reportedly been stranded since Monday (May 11).  

“Using ladders, the casualties – including babies, toddlers, children, adults, the elderly, as well as one blind man and one paraplegic man, and domestic animals – were evacuated to safety in relays using the flotation of our rescue craft,” explains Lambinon. 

He adds that rescue crews worked tirelessly in challenging conditions, wading and swimming through barely accessible terrain and flooded areas. The rescued people and animals were left in the care of the farm owner. 
 
During the operation, rescue teams found the bodies of three people. 

He says that during the operation, they were unable to recover several farm animals, domestic animals and wildlife, including snakes, despite efforts that became increasingly dangerous for the rescue crews. 

Monitor the weather forecast 

Lambinon has advised residents to be cautious and not to cross flooded rivers, roadways or bridges that are partially submerged.  
 
He urged people to monitor the weather patterns through the South African Weather Service. 

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