Disaster management teams on high alert

Disaster Management Services called all concerned services to an Emergency meeting regarding weather predictions for the Weekend.

1. Light rain is forecast as from today Wednesday over the entire Cacadu region which will further saturate the already saturated ground.

2. Minimum temperatures are to plummet to below freezing point inland as from Thursday evening and Heavy Snow Falls are expected with Road closures in all mountain passes in the region except for Olifantskop pass. Graaff Reinet to monitor the passes as from this evening Wednesday.

3. Heavy Rain (100%) is expected as from Thursday evening in Storms River area to reach Port Elizabeth by Friday Noon and spread further east as it progresses. An average of 100mm is expected from Friday Noon to Saturday evening throughout the region of Cacadu. Due to the already saturated groundwater flash flooding is expected in low laying areas. Roads are expected to be water logged and special care be given to fast lanes were vehicles could aquaplane.

4. All stations are to monitor all rural roads and report any problems to information centre and myself.

5. I will keep all Station Commanders and Managers informed via SMS as I will be receiving weather warnings from SA National Weather Services on any in incoming storm systems as they develop for Cacadu Region via SMS from SA Nat. Weather Services.

6. These Systems will also affect all outdoor activities in the region such as the Biltong Festival in Somerset East and the VW Algoa Rally being held in the Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and surrounding areas.

Reason for this early warning from the SA National Weather Services the similarity between the 2 HIGH pressure systems south of the country and a developing LOW pressure system over the far Northern-Western interior which is very similar to the systems of the 1968 floods in Port Elizabeth and Surrounding areas.

Please be warned and take care we are there to service the public and look out for their Safety On All Our Roads.