Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Emergency personnel in Cape Town preparing for gigantic storm

The massive winter storm that some people are calling a “Mother of a storm,” will create severe adverse weather conditions. The South African Weather Service issued severe weather alerts for Wednesday that include high seas, gale force winds, and rainfall that could exceed three inches in some areas.

“Residents should make real preparations for the storm and not take it lightly. They should be prepared to stay inside their homes. Outside they should tie down their belongings because we are expecting abnormally strong winds‚” South African Weather Service communications manager Hannelee Doubell said, according to Times Live.

Satellite imagery of front.

Satellite imagery of front.
EUMETsat


City officials, emergency crews, and forecasters are on high alert as gale force winds as high as 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour are expected. Rainfall that could exceed 80 millimeters (3.0 inches) is expected to fall within a 24-hour period with some far-reaching regions getting some snow.

Looking at the bigger picture, Reuters points out that millions of people living in shanty towns across the region will end up bearing the brunt of the storm’s wrath. They are already coping with a devastating drought, and like they have done for years on end, they will face the fury of the heavy rains and flooding that will wash away their meager homes of wooden planks and tin sheets.

“Residents living in informal settlements will probably be the hardest hit,” Charlotte Powell, Cape Town city’s disaster management spokeswoman said. Powell says emergency personnel, police and the army is on standby to evacuate anyone stranded by the storm and provide emergency shelter and feed.

The provincial education department has closed schools as a precaution, sending out a notice that reads: “The storm may damage some schools, which may place learners and staff at risk.” Schools are expected to reopen on Thursday.

People are also reminded that this is just one storm, and it will last 24-hours. The drought will still be here and this does not change the overall status in the water supplies.

Avatar photo
Written By

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

You may also like:

World

Calling for urgent action is the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Business

The cathedral is on track to reopen on December 8 - Copyright AFP Ludovic MARINParis’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, ravaged by fire in 2019, is on...

Business

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas - Copyright AFP Mark FelixPointing to the still...

Business

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal infers that some workers might be falling out of the job market altogether.