In what will be remembered as one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of the Kouga region, floodwaters tore through towns, farms and rural communities this past week, leaving behind a trail of destruction, heartbreak and unimaginable challenges.
Yet amid the chaos and devastation, one thing stood stronger than the floodwaters themselves – he spirit of the Kouga community.
More than 300 residents were displaced as rivers burst their banks, roads collapsed and homes became inaccessible. Families were evacuated to safety and are currently being accommodated at various community halls and farms across the region, where they continue to receive support, meals and care from local authorities, businesses, farmers, volunteers and residents.
Among the rescues was the evacuation of 49 people at Kingsway, where rising waters threatened homes and trapped residents. In other areas, several residents remain isolated due to severe flooding and extensive road damage. Thankfully, they are safe and have sufficient food supplies while teams continue to monitor the situation closely.
Despite the scale of the disaster, no lives were lost.
Stories of survival have emerged from across the region. One local farmer spent nearly two terrifying hours trapped in a raging river. Another family narrowly escaped tragedy after floodwaters surged suddenly across their farm, almost sweeping away their vehicle. With seconds to spare, they managed to reach higher ground.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel and never attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges.
Kouga Local Municipality teams have been working around the clock, leading extensive mop-up operations, assessing damage and restoring critical services under extremely difficult conditions. Roads throughout the region have taken a severe beating, with potholes and wash-aways posing significant risks to motorists.
Several roads remain closed or inaccessible.
Lombardini Road remains closed to heavy vehicles due to safety concerns at the low-water bridge. The road to the Strawberry Farm in Hankey has been washed away completely, while the alternative low-water bridge is overflowing, cutting off access to the area.
Weston Bridge remains closed, and the gravel road along the Gamtoos River must be avoided. The road between Humansdorp and Oyster Bay also remains closed, with access to Oyster Bay currently limited to high-clearance vehicles only. Motorists travelling from St Francis Bay to Oyster Bay may still use that route. The gravel road between Humansdorp and Andrieskraal remains closed, while the road to the Kouga Dam is also inaccessible.
Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution, as road surfaces across the region have been severely damaged.
At the same time, electricity teams have worked tirelessly – often through the night and in dangerous weather conditions – to restore power to affected communities. While many areas have already been reconnected, some communities supplied through the Eskom network remain without electricity due to inaccessible terrain and extensive infrastructure damage.
Despite these challenges, Eskom teams continue to work relentlessly to restore supply as quickly as possible. Some areas are also experiencing connectivity problems.
Residents are encouraged to assist by reporting damaged electrical infrastructure and sending pin locations to the Kouga Call Centre at 042 200 2200 or via WhatsApp at 081 760 9183. This information will help Eskom and municipal teams locate faults faster and respond more effectively.
Perhaps the greatest story to emerge from this disaster has been the overwhelming compassion shown by the people of Kouga.
Businesses, farmers, organisations and ordinary residents have opened their hearts and stepped forward with donations of food, blankets, clothing, animal feed, accommodation and support for displaced families. Volunteers have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, while emergency teams, municipal workers and rescue personnel have placed themselves in harm’s way to protect others.