ICC UPDATE 6_ STORM WEATHER (11 May 2026 @ 17.30)

The ongoing rain and strong winds have caused severe damage to homes, fencing, and some infrastructure across the Overstrand municipal area. Assessments will continue in all affected areas.

Electricity

The most pressing issue at this stage is widespread power outages affecting Greater Hermanus, Stanford, Gansbaai, and Kleinmond, impacting municipal direct customers.

Eskom confirmed at 15:00 that damage has occurred on an upstream 132kV line near Grabouw, and a specialised technical team from Cape Town has been dispatched to attend to the fault. However, difficult terrain and limited access remain major challenges.

For Onrus/Vermont and Hawston/Fisherhaven, the fault on the Afdaks/Hawston 66kV line has been identified, but repairs are delayed due to mountainous terrain and unsafe weather conditions, which are preventing access to the infrastructure.

Eskom is aiming to put out a communication at 18:00 today on the Eskom Connect channel on WhatsApp: https:// whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBvUJ73QxS3S0bVkZ30

Trees

Another major concern is fallen trees across the municipal area. The Parks Department is clearing roads where possible; however, some trees are too large for immediate removal. Tree-cutting operations will commence tomorrow in Jose Burman (Hermanus), Reservoir Road, 8th Street (Voëlklip), and Bosplasie. Fallen trees in other towns have already been cleared where accessible.

Fallen trees in other towns have already been cleared from the roads to ensure traffic flow is not affected.

The Stormwater Department will monitor and clear smaller branches and leaves that have accumulated in the roads and stormwater inlets as a preventative measure.

Waste management

Refuse collection in Kleinmond was delayed today due to adverse weather and strong winds and will resume tomorrow.

Refuse removal in other towns continued according to the usual schedule. However, many households made use of mini drop-off sites to help prevent bins from being blown into the streets.

Roads

All main roads remain open. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and treat all non-functioning traffic lights as four-way stops.

Traffic lights are currently affected at Vermont/Onrus Trading Post, CTM, Mount Pleasant Crossing, and the Total Garage in Hermanus.

Donations & Community Assistance

Displaced families across affected areas are being accommodated in some community halls and other designated shelters.

There is an urgent appeal for warm meals in Kleinmond, Hermanus, and Gansbaai for tonight. Due to ongoing power outages, affected residents are unable to prepare their own meals at community halls and shelters that are dependent on Eskom electricity. The number of people in need is fluctuating across all areas.

Anyone wishing to assist is requested to contact Disaster Management logistic team on 028 313 8941 for donation co-ordination.

Drop-offs can also be made at the respective fire stations in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus, and Kleinmond. The main drop-off point remains the Hermanus Fire Station in Mussel Road, which is open 24/7.

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Alderman Archie Klaas, has expressed appreciation for the support received from the community, businesses, and organisations so far. He has once again called on existing soup kitchens, NGOs, and faith-based organisations with the necessary infrastructure and volunteers to continue assisting where possible.

ICC UPDATE 4_STORM WEATHER (11 May 2026 @ 13.15)

Power interruption

Following widespread power interruptions across the Overstrand municipal area caused by storm-related weather, the latest update from Eskom is as follows for Eskom direct customers: We have identified the fault, which is a broken pole and cross-arm located in the mountain. There is an access issue, and we are arranging a special team from Cape Town to assist. I will keep you updated on the progress, as this is a difficult situation.

Overstrand Municipality direct customers are affected by this morning’s power outage in the Stanford, Gansbaai, Hawston, Hermanus and Kleinmond areas, as the 66 kV Afdaks / Hawston lines are out of service.

There has been significant damage to the municipal electrical network, specifically the overhead infrastructure. Conditions are currently not favourable for repairs, and work is being prioritised as reports come in. The safety of the community and municipal staff remains the highest priority at this stage. Repairs will be undertaken when it is safe to do so.

No estimated time of restoration is yet known.

Main Roads

Main roads remain open; however, they can close on short notice

Traffic officials continue to monitor high-risk areas and road conditions.

Municipal teams remain on site clearing fallen trees, mudslides, and storm debris.

Donations

As per usual, the Overstrand Municipality Disaster Management logistics team is active and coordinating donations as and when required.

Thank you to all who are organising themselves to ensure that the most vulnerable have something warm to eat or drink. Many churches have already put arrangements in place and can be contacted directly. Please bear in mind that there is currently no electricity, and affected residents are unable to prepare their own meals. Soup kitchens and other NGOs are therefore unable to cook food at this stage if they are dependent on Eskom power.

The following items are always in need:

• Blankets
• Towels
• Baby essentials
• Toiletries

Drop-offs can be made at the respective fire stations as usual. The main drop-off point at Hermanus Fire Station in Mussel Road is open 24/7. The Disaster Management telephone number for donation-related information only is 028 313 8941.

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ICC UPDATE 2: STORM WEATHER
| 11 May 2026 : 09:145

Municipal operational teams and disaster management personnel are actively clearing obstructions and debris across all towns within the Overstrand area, and responding to incidents as quickly as possible.

Tree branches, signage and roofing material are being blown around by strong winds. Residents are urged to remain extremely cautious and vigilant.

Multiple formal and informal structures have sustained damage. Reported damage includes roofs and solar panels being blown away due to the strong winds.

Across the municipal area, multiple trees/branches have been blown over, and motorists are urged to remain vigilant and reduce speed.

Schools within the Overstrand remain operational at this stage.

Electricity

There are widespread power outages across Overstrand. Eskom teams have been notified, and we suspect the issue may involve one of the main Eskom cables.

Update from Eskom @ 08:45: The team is en route to the site (Hawston/Afdaks), as a number of 66kV breakers have tripped, affecting many areas across the Overberg region.

Roads

There are currently no major road closures; however, traffic officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

Most traffic lights are affected by the power outage. Please treat intersections as four-way stops.

Waste Management

Refuse collection services will continue today. If you are putting rubbish out, please ensure it is well anchored or placed in a protected area, as it may blow away and cause problems.

Consider keeping your recycling aside, e.g. cardboard boxes, or dropping it off at the mini drop-off sites.

Nature Reserves

Residents are urged to avoid all recreational activities until further notice.

All hiking trails in the Fernkloof, Rooiels, and Kleinmond Nature Reserves (including Jeans Hill and Fairy Glen) are closed until further notice

Community Halls

Crassula Hall in Betty’s Bay, Masakhane Hall in Gansbaai, and Zwelihle Community Hall are open for residents in need of shelter.

Water & Sanitation Services

Residents are urged to use water sparingly during this period to help conserve water.

Water treatment plants, pump stations, and sewage systems are expected to come under pressure.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
All are 24 hour numbers:

028 312 2400 – Fire or flood emergencies

028 313 8111 – Municipal service emergencies (e.g. stormwater issues)

You can also log non-life threatening service requests via the Citizen App

Further updates will follow as conditions develop.

Please stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel where possible.

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ICC UPDATE 1: STORM WEATHER
| 11 May 2026 : 06:45

Roads
All major roads are currently open, apart from a tree obstructing the road at Arabella. Overstrand Traffic is on scene and digger loader on its way.
Another tree has fallen on the Hemel-en-Aarde Road at the High Season Farm turn-off.

Road conditions can change at short notice due to fallen trees, rocks, or mud on the roads.

• Overstrand Traffic will confirm closures on the main roads as soon as they are able to do so.
• Please exercise caution on the roads and beware of the strong winds. Headlights on.
• There has been no change in the water level at the Stanford bridge, and levels remain low.

Wind damage:
A couple of reports have been received of roofs being blown off in Mount Pleasant, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay due to strong winds.

Electricity update from Eskom – Onrus/Vermont and Hawston/Fisherhaven at 22:15 on 10/05

Please note that we attempted to swing the loads, but the fault is located between Afdaks and the Hawston 66kV mountain line. Due to unsafe conditions, employees could not continue with the line patrol. The team will resume work early tomorrow morning.

Reports of power outage in Hemel-en-Aarde valley also in.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
All are 24 hour numbers:

028 312 2400 – Fire or flood emergencies
028 313 8111 – Municipal service emergencies (e.g. stormwater issues)
You can also log non-life threatening service requests via the Citizen App