Flood

Approximately 49 residents were evacuated from the Gamtoo River Valley in the Kouga Municipality after rising floodwaters cut off access to homes and holiday accommodation, as emergency teams mounted a large-scale rescue operation under dangerous conditions, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The dramatic evacuations took place in the early hours of Friday, 8 May, after relentless rainfall caused rivers and dams across the region to surge beyond capacity, trapping residents in low-lying areas near the Gamtoos River.

Multi-agency rescue under extreme conditions
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), crews were activated shortly after 1:40am following reports of ‘multiple persons and animals trapped by rising waters‘ near the Kingsway Resort.
A coordinated response involving NSRI stations, SAPS, emergency medical services, disaster management teams and local volunteers quickly mobilised, with rescue teams forced to wade and swim through flooded roadways to reach those stranded.
‘Reports suggested at least 40 persons, and animals, trapped by rising waters… with roadways out of the area flooded and inaccessible,’ the NSRI said.
Rescue teams deployed boats, jet-powered rescue craft and floating devices to navigate fast-flowing waters, with operations complicated by submerged terrain, fencing and shifting water levels.
In total, 49 people – including children and elderly residents – were safely evacuated, alongside several animals. No fatalities or series injuries were reported.

Residents urged to heed evacuation warnings
Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman confirmed that residents had earlier been urged to evacuate as water levels rose, but some remained behind and later required emergency rescue.
‘Rescue operations are currently in place in the Gamtoos River Valley… where about 40 residents are trapped by the flooding of the Gamtoos River,’ Bornman said in an earlier update.
He warned that conditions remained volatile as river levels continued to rise overnight, urging residents in flood-prone areas not to ignore evacuation notices.
‘The river levels have increased throughout the night… please get to safety. Do not take chances,’ he had warned.
In a later update, Bornman confirmed that all stranded residents had been successfully rescued.
‘A total of 49 residents are safe, with no injuries or fatalities reported,’ he said, thanking emergency teams for their ‘outstanding work and dedication throughout the rescue operations under extremely difficult conditions.’

Flooding follows days of intense rainfall
The flooding forms part of a broader severe cut-off low-pressure system that has battered parts of the Eastern and Western Cape, with heavy rainfall causing widespread damage to infrastructure, homes and transport routes.
Authorities reported that the Kouga Dam surged dramatically, rising from around 40% to over capacity in a matter of hours while surrounding rivers, including the Gamtoos and Krom, swelled rapidly.
Road closures, including sections of the R102, and extensive infrastructure damage have further complicated relief efforts.

Ongoing risk despite improving conditions
While rainfall has begun to ease in some areas, officials warn that floodwaters remain high and conditions dangerous.
Emergency services have urged the public to avoid flooded roads and low-lying bridges, noting that fast-flowing waters continue to pose a serious risk.
‘Please remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads and low-lying bridges, and continue exercising caution,’ said Bornman.
The NSRI echoed this warning, appealing to residents and motorists not to attempt crossing floodwaters and to stay informed through official weather alerts as further cold fronts are expected.