Edited by Bev Mortimer: The NSRI has carried out daring rescues in the Eastern Cape flooded areas, notably in the Kouga area at Kingsway Resort on the Gamtoos – rescuing elderly, adults, children, dogs, cats, parrots and some livestock.
The NSRI said 49 people between ages of 5-80, plus and animals were rescued but at least 15 persons refused to be relocated.Rescue operations included am emergency operation where where a family was trapped on their roof. Rescue SA personnel, police divers and NSRI rescue swimmers reached the family and evacuated them.
According to Ian Gray, NSRI Eastern Cape Regional Representative, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) and NSRI Oyster Bay duty crew , plus the SAPS and emergency services were activated by reports of people and animals trapped by rising waters from heavy rainfalls at Kingsway Resort,on the Gamtoos River, near Jeffreys Bay.
Reports suggested at least 40 persons, and animals, trapped by rising waters at the Kingsway Resort and at homes and farmsteads in the neighbouring areas with roadways out of the area flooded and inaccessible.The NSRI geared to evacuate the affected persons and animals to safety.
This follows the the rising of the to 132% in 12 hours and the Groot River in flood that flooded Patensie Valley and beyond towards the coast.
NSRI crew in wet suits, were able to reach about 1.6 kms by road and then waded or swam along roadways to reach the area. The NSRI used jetRIBS, 15 NSRI rescue swimmers, NSRI canoes (CROCS), Rescue SA, police divers Kouga Fire and Rescue Services, EMS rescue squads and a Good Samaritans. jetRIBS were used where canoes could not be used and rescue operations were hampered by farm fences surrounding the area and barely accessible terrain.
JetRIBS brought rescued persons and their animals across sthe flood area, negotiating fast flowing water and transferred the rescued the CROCS as transport to safety. A Police helicopter also rescued trapped people and left them where there were canoes and JetRIBS and NSRI personnel waded to safety and to canoes and jetRIBS.
Paramedics checked rescued persons and there no major injuries or deaths.
N2 Wind Farm Service Station supplied KFC, Steers, coffees and soup to rescue crews and rescued persons and a couple Mr & Mrs Hercelman prepared and served soups to NSRI crew who were working on the river bank.
And besides all the NSR and other official rescue personnel mentioned above, Kouga Mayor and the municipality, the Fire Chief local farmers (with their tractors and heavy machinery), locals in 4×4 vehicles, the Wind Farm Service Station and local community, Good Samaritans, all united to assist in the execution of the he successful rescue operation during the night and during Friday. They were all commended for their efforts.
The rescued people and animals will be returned when safe to do so. People are urged not try to cross flood waters and to be cautious during heavy rainfall and flooding. Everyone is advised to watch the weather reports.
Photos supplied to NSRI by private persons (Copyright)
Video of Impofu Dam that feeds the Churchill Dam – in flood: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ENtJ6VubQ/
St Francis Chronicle 