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NSRI on high alert and assisting with isolated cases of flood victim evacuations

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NSRI volunteer sea rescue crews across the coastlines along parts of the Western Cape, Southern Cape and Eastern Cape were placed on high alert during the early hours of Saturday, 14th July, following the SA Weather Service advice of heavy rainfalls and in some isolated incidents of low-lying areas cut off or flooded by rising waters and river floods necessitated NSRI volunteer rescue crews stand-by status to be upgraded to high alert to assist wherever necessary.

So far only a few isolated incidents have seen NSRI duty crews mobilized to assist with incidents.

The SA Weather office issued warnings of very cold conditions, snow and heavy rainfall across parts of these regions and very big swells from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay and extending further North East up the coast towards the Eastern Cape.

NSRI Knysna assisted to evacuate 4 people cut off by rising waters at Red Bridge on the Knysna river and a further 4 people were rescued by NSRI Knysna at Cranmere following similar incidents of low lying areas cut off by rising waters and no injuries were recorded in these incidents.

Boaters and fishermen between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape are urged to exercise caution, wear their life-jackets at all times at sea and have their safety equipment and safety kits handy at all times while at sea.

Unofficial NSRI rainfall readings suggest up to 70mm of rainfall in Stilbaai and 80 mm of rainfall in Plettenberg Bay over the past 24 hours.

The NSRI echo the Eastern Cape Municipal Disaster Management advice, issued earlier, for those living along low lying areas to have dry clothes and blankets stored in water tight plastic bags ready to be taken along in case any evacuations became necessary.

The NSRI High Alert status for these areas remains in place until the heavy rainfall subsides.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.