Black south-easter wreaks havoc in city
THE black south-easter wreaked havoc across the city and surrounds with roofs blown off, trees uprooted and people scurrying away from flying debris.
The City’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Centre said several roofs were damaged by the strong winds in areas including Fresnaye, the Bo-Kaap, Bonteheuwel, Bokmakierie, Macassar, Philippi and Sea Point.
DRM spokesperson Charlotte Powell confirmed a roof had been blown off a building in Chiappini Street, Bo-Kaap and another in Roodehek Road, Gardens.
Shack dwellers in the Vygieskraal Informal settlement, known as “Die Vlei”, tried to stay indoors after witnessing objects being flung around dangerously by the winds.
Die Vlei community spokesperson Mischka Chachu said: “The wind has caused excessive damage in the area.
“The neighbour’s shacks roofs were blown off during the night and the community had to come together to knock nails into the rooftop to get it back on.”
Chachu added that the community stayed indoors because they were afraid of being hit by dangerous objects. The rain yesterday also added to the discomfort in the shacks.
“The state in which we live in during this weather is uncomfortable.”
Powell said that storm-related electricity disruptions were also experienced in Pinelands, Bridgetown, Wynberg, Parow, Richmond Estate, Bellville, Sea Point, Strand, Claremont, Heideveld and Three Anchor Bay as a result of the wind.
“Large trees were uprooted in Gordon’s Bay, Newlands, Mowbray, Rylands and Bonteheuwel. No deaths or injuries have been reported,” she said. City departments were assisting the affected communities.
Cape Town weather office forecaster Lauren Smith said that the weather experienced over the weekend is known as the black south-easter.
“This is a weather system that is associated with strong to gale-force south-easterly winds, with showers and thundershowers.”
The gale force conditions also resulted in Saturday’s minstrel show being cancelled at Athlone Stadium.
Smith said the wind would subside for the rest of the week.
“Tomorrow and Wednesday will be sunny otherwise cloudy with light rain along the south coast, with moderate to strong south-easterly winds.
“The same for Thursday with clearing, forecast for Friday,” she added.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway was closed on Friday during International Cable Car Day.
The Pedal Power Association (PPA) had to cancel the 2020 Medihelp Stellenbosch Cycle Tour which was scheduled to take place yesterday in Stellenbosch as the safety of 3 000 entrants would have been compromised by the wild weather.
PPA chairperson Rens Rezelman said: “It is truly disappointing that we were forced to cancel the Medihelp Stellenbosch Cycle Tour due to these extreme weather conditions.
“Being one of our flagship events, a lot of time and effort has gone into the preparation of this event.
“We would like to thank everyone for entering the race as well as all our suppliers, sponsors and partners for being so understanding on the day,” Rezelman said.
The (conditions) are caused by a tightening pressure gradient Lauren Smith WEATHER SERVICE