Heavy rains and strong winds wreak havoc in the Eastern Cape
Heavy rains, hail and strong winds hit the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, causing flooding, power cuts and damaging buildings and roads. This comes after heavy rains flooded parts of Knysna on Tuesday morning.
Port Elizabeth recorded over 75mm of rain, flooding roads and buildings, interrupting power and disrupting traffic as well as flights in and out of the city. Inland, a ‘mini tornado’ has left eleven people injured and 65 homeless in Grahamstown.
Conditions had settled down by Thursday, though the possibility of further storms remained.
In Port Elizabeth flights were continuing as normal on Thursday though some beachfront resorts were still covered by sand and water. The worst hit were the outlying seafront suburbs of Beachview, Seaview and Kini Bay, who not only had to contend with rain, but also with sand blown in from the beach.
Roads in this area have also been damaged. The Beachview Resort has said that they will be closed until Monday at least. The Seaview Game Park has stated that despite road damage, the park is open and the animals have not been affected.
Due to power disruptions in the area TravelHub could not reach the Seaview Hotel for comment. Anyone with bookings along the Port Elizabeth coast, particularly beachfront accommodation, for the next few days should check with their accommodation establishments whether they have been affected.
