Kouga Municipality Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman issued an urgent evacuation order on Thursday, calling on residents in low-lying areas along the Gamtoos River to leave immediately as the Kouga Dam overflows.
Bornman said the dam has reached 113% capacity and is spilling over rapidly, raising serious flood risks downstream.
Residents urged to leave low-lying areas
Bornman said authorities are treating the situation as a precautionary measure, but stressed the urgency of the evacuation.
Officials instruct residents in low-lying areas along the Gamtoos River to leave their homes immediately to avoid rising floodwaters trapping them.
The municipality has flagged several areas as being at high risk of flooding.
These include Kingsway Village, Big Fish, Gamtoos Mouth Resort, and the Ferry Hotel area.
Bornman warns that floodwaters could severely affect these communities because they sit in flood-prone zones and water levels continue to rise.
Evacuation centres opened as floods loom
Authorities have opened two community halls to accommodate displaced residents.
The Katrina Felix Hall in Thornhill and the Loerie Community Hall will serve as official evacuation centres for those who leave their homes.
Bornman confirmed that both facilities are ready to receive affected residents.
The municipality has also urged farmers in the Gamtoos Valley to act quickly.
Officials have called on them to move livestock, machinery, vehicles, and equipment to higher ground to reduce potential flood-related losses.
Emergency teams on high alert
Emergency services remain deployed across the affected areas to assist with evacuations and respond to incidents.
Bornman also warned that road closures are still being assessed as flooding develops.
He cautioned residents not to attempt to cross flooded roads or rivers under any circumstances. Stating conditions remain dangerous and unpredictable.
