Amid a deluge which hit Buffalo City Metro after 7am, the city has released an orange level 7 warning for disruptive rains and gale-force winds.
There was some confusion over the warning, with an earlier warning on Wednesday from the SA Weather Service (SAWS) saying there was an orange warning for snow on the highlands, and a lesser yellow level 2 for waves and rain on the coast.
But at 8.30am, city spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya issued the ramped-up orange warning for the city.
He said the city’s Disaster Management Centre was on high alert after receiving an orange level 6 warning from the SAWS at 16.27pm on Wednesday.
SAWS spokesperson Hannelee Doubell said multiple warnings were issued on Wednesday.
Ngwenya said: “According to the level 6 SAWS warning for disruptive rains, damaging winds are also leading to damage to settlements, properties and infrastructure across Buffalo City Metro.
“Due to the warning, the metro urges communities and road users to exercise caution when travelling.
“We also urge communities to be vigilant and report to their respective ward councillors any disaster-related incidents or stormwater blockages.
“All emergency response role players are on high alert for any eventuality.”
SAWS released a yellow level 1 warning on Wednesday for damaging waves across the Eastern coast until 11pm on Thursday.
The warning stated: “A tight pressure gradient between a passing deep low and ridging high-pressure system southwest of the country is resulting in strong westerly winds.
“These winds are expected to enhance wave heights to about 4.5m between Plettenberg Bay and Port Edward, with the sea state amplified by up to 2m during high tide.”
The impacts included localised disruptions to beachfront activities and on roads such as the N2 over Lebanon Mandela Bay Metro.
Small vessels were at risk of taking on water and capsizing, and harbours and ports would be disrupted.
SAWS also released an orange level 6 warning for disruptive snow in Matatielle until midnight on Friday.
It stated: “The snowfall [and/or high accumulations] is expected to result in danger to life, loss of livestock and crops.
“Communities may be cut-off.
“Dangerous and difficult driving conditions. Roads affected due to high accumulations and/or rockfalls. Pass closures. Disruptions to some services.”
SAWS instructed the public to “stay indoors to avoid loss of life, inform initiates and families and make an informed decision.
“Avoid travelling if possible. Monitor the forecast and phone the SA Weather Service when in doubt.”
Ngwenya said the Disaster Management Centre would continue to monitor the weather and provide updates.
“BCM disaster management has accordingly put in place Disaster Management Contingency Plans and has disseminated the warning to all disaster management role players to be on high alert and to be ready for joint operations centre and rapid response operations as and when required.
“We are already observing the development of strong winds and rough seas coming from the western coastline.
“Our beach emergency teams will monitor these wind developments closely as they intensify.
“The metro infrastructure teams responsible for water and electricity are also on standby.
“According to the SAWS warning, the cold front arrived in the Western Cape yesterday, resulting in showers and rain over the southwestern parts, spreading to the Garden Route and Little Karoo by the evening and to the Eastern Cape on Thursday.
“It will be cold to very cold over parts of the Western Cape interior and the Eastern Cape on Thursday.”
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