GQEBERHA - There has been widespread destruction along the Garden Route and in Kouga as floods ravaged homes and infrastructure, triggering evacuations and leaving scores of people homeless.
On Thursday, the Kouga Municipality issued an evacuation order for residents in the Gamtoos Valley after the Kouga Dam exceeded capacity levels.
Residents of Kingsway Village, Big Fish, Gamtoos Mouth Resort, Ferry Hotel and all low-lying areas in the Gamtoos Valley were urged to evacuate.
Officials said more than 100 millimetres of rain had fallen across the region.
READ: Gamtoos Valley residents in Eastern Cape urged to evacuate
“It’s incredible, the amount of damage our infrastructure has sustained — roads have been washed away and areas like the one behind us have been severely affected,” said Hattingh Bornman.
“Our teams have been working throughout the night for the past two nights, trying to evacuate people and assist where roads have been blocked by fallen trees or flood damage to ensure they remain accessible.”
Bornman said Humansdorp is likely the hardest-hit area.
“Many people have suffered damage to their homes, and our infrastructure has taken a severe beating there,” he said.
“But here in Hankey there is also major flooding, and houses are being evacuated or have already been evacuated.”