How Level 4 storms are causing chaos in Overstrand and Theewaterskloof

Severe thunderstorms continued to impact large parts of the Overstrand and Theewaterskloof on Monday as authorities warned that flooding, road closures and service disruptions could intensify while a Level 4 weather warning remains in effect.

The South African Weather Service said the warning for the Theewaterskloof and Grabouw areas is valid until 11:59pm on Monday, with heavy rainfall, strong winds and hail expected. The service cautioned that conditions could lead to flooding of roads and vulnerable settlements, damage to vehicles, falling trees, major travel disruptions and possible losses to agricultural production, as well as interruptions to essential services.

According to the Overstrand Municipality, heavy rainfall started shortly after midday in the Gansbaai and Stanford areas, resulting in widespread flooding of roads and properties. “The stormwater pipes are unable to accommodate the floodwaters timeously and many properties are also flooded,” Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill said in an update issued at 1:30pm.

Municipal operational teams, supported by the fire department and law enforcement, have been deployed across affected towns. “Operational teams, along with the fire department and law enforcement, are opening stormwater lines where needed, diverting water away from homes where possible, and distributing sandbags,” O’Neill said.

He added that water continues to run off the mountains in Kleinmond and Betty’s Bay, posing ongoing flood and mudslide risks, while in the greater Hermanus area there remains a high demand for sandbags and assistance with water diversion.

Flooding has also damaged the main water pipeline supplying Hawston, resulting in an interruption to water supply until at least 6pm. The municipality warned that repair work is challenging due to conditions on the ground and that the estimated restoration time may change.

Sewer pump stations across the Overstrand are struggling with stormwater ingress, leading to overflows in some areas, with warning signage being installed and water quality testing planned where required.

Several roads have been closed as a result of flooding, including the Uitsig–Caledon low bridge, Hemel-en-Aarde Road between Caledon and Hermanus, Boontjieskraal Road connecting to the R43, and Karwyderskraal Road. Sir Lowry’s Pass and the Botrivier Bridge on the N2 remain open, but motorists have been urged to exercise caution due to rising water levels. Authorities also warned motorists against sharing false reports about the closure of the Botrivier Bridge, saying these were outdated and inaccurate.

Residents in Pearly Beach are meanwhile facing water restrictions introduced by the Overstrand Municipality and remaining in effect until further notice. The restrictions follow damage to a private bulk water pipeline supplying the Koekemoer Dam during recent fires, which saw dam levels drop to about 40%, despite the Pearly Beach Dam remaining near capacity. The municipality said the measures are precautionary, given low rainfall since August 2025 and forecasts of another dry winter in 2026.

City of Cape Town Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews urged residents to take preventative action as the storm system continues to affect the region. “To help reduce flooding risks in our area, residents are urged to log service requests immediately for any blocked or overflowing drains,” Andrews said. “Reporting blocked drains allows City officials to attend to them as a priority and helps keep our streets and homes safe during severe weather.”

Despite the storms, a wildfire reported in Buffelsjag has not spread further due to wet conditions. In a separate update, the Cape Winelands District Municipality confirmed that a mountain fire near Tulbagh has been fully contained following overnight rainfall, with no injuries or damage to property or livestock reported.

Disaster management teams remain on high alert across the region, with residents urged to stay indoors where possible, avoid flooded roads and fast-flowing water, and rely on official municipal communication channels as conditions continue to change.

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