South African Officials Order Urgent Evacuation as Gamtoos Flood Risk Climbs

Authorities in Kouga municipality issued an immediate evacuation order on Tuesday as flood risk along the Gamtoos River corridor continued to rise, putting thousands of residents in danger. Officials warned that water levels could reach critical thresholds within hours, leaving little time for affected communities to move to safety. The emergency declaration covers low-lying areas stretching from Patensie to Gamtoos Mouth, a coastal zone notorious for seasonal flooding.

Evacuation Order Details

The Kouga municipality acting head announced the mandatory evacuation during an emergency briefing at the Loerie Brigade offices. Residents in the Thornhill, Mangatha, and KwaNomzamo settlements received priority alerts through SMS and loudhailer patrols. Emergency crews have been deployed to assist elderly and disabled residents who may struggle to leave without help. The municipality has set up three evacuation centres, with capacity for at least 2,500 people across facilities in Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp.

Flood Risk Factors

Meteorological data reviewed by local authorities showed sustained rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Gamtoos River over the past 72 hours. River gauges at the Kromme tributary registered levels not seen since the 2016 floods, which caused extensive damage to agricultural infrastructure and displaced hundreds of families. Groundwater saturation in the lower floodplain means even moderate additional rainfall could trigger rapid overtopping of levees. The South African Weather Service has maintained a code-red warning for the eastern portion of the Eastern Cape province through at least Thursday.

Community Response

Local radio stations began broadcasting evacuation instructions in Afrikaans, Xhosa, and English beginning at 6am on Tuesday. Church groups and non-governmental organisations mobilised to provide food and blankets at the Loerie sports ground, the primary reception point for those fleeing the lower Gamtoos basin. Farmers in the area have been scrambling to move livestock to higher ground, with several agricultural holdings reporting that access roads are already becoming impassable. The Gamtoos Irrigation Board confirmed it had opened all flood gates on its canal network to reduce pressure on surrounding farmland.

Infrastructure Concerns

The municipal water treatment plant serving the lower Gamtoos area was taken offline as a precautionary measure, citing risks of contamination if floodwaters breach containment barriers. Road crews from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport closed a section of the R102 highway near the Gamtoos Bridge due to surface flooding. Power distributor Eskom confirmed it had de-energised sections of the grid in the Thornhill area to prevent electrocution hazards from submerged infrastructure. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have warned that conditions could deteriorate rapidly if rainfall intensifies.

What Residents Should Do

Officials urged anyone in the mandatory evacuation zone to leave immediately and not wait for further warnings. Those unable to transport themselves should call the municipal emergency hotline, which has been expanded to handle the expected surge in calls. Residents were advised to turn off gas and electricity supplies before leaving and to move valuables to upper floors if time permits. Medical facilities in the region have been placed on standby to receive patients requiring urgent care during the evacuation process.

What to Watch Next

Authorities will conduct an aerial assessment of the flood corridor once conditions allow, likely by Wednesday morning if rainfall subsides. The municipality has scheduled a follow-up briefing for 4pm on Wednesday to update residents on road closures, shelter availability, and the projected timeline for returning home. Local residents should monitor official Kouga social media channels and local radio for real-time updates throughout the emergency period.