Garden Route Municipalities flag R500 Million+ in infrastructure damage after severe weather events

cla

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Municipalities across the Garden Route District have completed initial damage assessments following recent severe weather events, revealing significant impacts on critical infrastructure and public services.

Preliminary assessments reveal widespread destruction

According to Gerhard Otto, Head of Disaster Management at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), the estimated cost of repairs and recovery has now exceeded R500 million.

The consolidated report, compiled by GRDM with input from affected local municipalities, shows widespread damage to roads, stormwater systems, water supply networks, municipal buildings, and community facilities.

George, Knysna and Bitou among hardest hit

Otto confirmed that the most severe damage has been recorded in George Municipality, followed by Knysna and Bitou.

Key infrastructure across these areas, including water systems, transport routes, and economic assets, has been significantly affected, with urgent rehabilitation required to restore basic services and reduce future disaster risk.

Municipal clean-up operations in George after storm-related incidents. Photo: Supplied

Top eight rehabilitation projects Identified

The district has prioritised several high-value recovery projects, forming the backbone of the early reconstruction plan:

R124.6 million – George Municipality: Repair of damaged roadways and associated stormwater infrastructure in George, Haarlem and Uniondale
R97.3 million – Knysna Municipality: Surfaced road repairs, including Main Street and the N2 corridor
R93.6 million – George Municipality: Restoration of Uniondale Poort raw water diversion infrastructure and supply systems
R70 million – Oudtshoorn Municipality: Electricity infrastructure repairs across Hoop, Baron van Reede, Buffelsdrift, Dysselsdorp, Cango Caves and surrounding areas
R48.8 million – Knysna Municipality: Road rehabilitation in Knysna, Sedgefield, Brenton, Rheenendal and Karatara
R46.6 million – Oudtshoorn Municipality: Repairs to stormwater systems and bridges, including Kerk Street, Albert Street and Cango Bergoord areas
R32.7 million – George Municipality: Sewer pump station repairs across George, Haarlem, Uniondale, Pacaltsdorp and surrounding industrial areas
R5.7 million – Oudtshoorn Municipality: Water and sanitation infrastructure upgrades in Greater Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp and KKRWSS

An example of damage caused by the storm winds in George on 11 May. Photo: Joe de Beer

Service disruptions affect thousands of residents

Municipal officials say thousands of residents have been directly or indirectly affected, with disruptions to essential services, road access, and community infrastructure across the district.

Technical teams are continuing detailed on-the-ground assessments to refine cost estimates and prioritise emergency repairs in the most severely affected areas.

Funding applications underway for disaster recovery

The GRDM, together with local municipalities, is engaging with provincial and national government structures to secure urgent disaster recovery funding.

Municipalities have also committed available resources to immediate response efforts, focusing on restoring essential services and stabilising damaged infrastructure.

GRDM Executive Mayor Alderman Marais Kruger said external support will be critical in the recovery phase:

“Municipalities have already begun emergency response and repair work, and external funding support will be essential to ensure full recovery and to strengthen infrastructure resilience for the future.”

Recovery focus areas going forward

Priority interventions across the district include:

Rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems
Repair of roads, bridges and stormwater infrastructure
Restoration of municipal and community facilities
Strengthening infrastructure resilience against future disasters

Further updates expected

Authorities say further updates will be issued as assessments are finalised and funding processes progress.

Photo: Bitou Municipality

Road closure update @12:00 on 11 June

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure continues to monitor road conditions across the province. Motorists are urged to obey all road closure notices and never attempt to cross flooded roads.

Garden Route district

Closed

* Meiringspoort (TR33/4)
* Oudtshoorn to Cango Caves (TR75/2)
* Uniondale Poort and Town (MR401)
* Toorwater/Nietgenaamd (DR1845)
* Hartbees River (DR1840)
* Daskop (DR1650)
* Kykoe (DR1653)
* Hazenjacht (MR359)
* Middelplaas (DR1707)
* Le Roux Station (DR1694)
* Van Wykskraal (DR1692)
* Kamanassie Dam (DR1673)
* Vlakteplaas (DR1704)
* Swartberg Pass (MR369)
* Wynands River (DR1677)
* Volmoed (MR358)
* Old Cement Road (DR1688)
* Lategansvlei/Potgieterspoort (DR1689)
* Groenfontein (DR1706)
* Doornkloof (DR1675)
* Vlei River (DR1676)
* Gais (DR1690)
* Jagberg (DR1674)
* Seweweekspoort (MR309)
* Van Zylsdamme (DR1710)
* Plathuis (DR1433)
* Baviaanskrans (DR1666)
* Muiskraal/Herbertsdale (MR342)
* Rooiberg (DR1661)
* Van Zylsdamme (DR1711)
* Keurboomsstrand (DR1888)
* Buco (DR1788)
* Prince Alfred Pass (TR5901)
* Great Brak River (DR1599)
* Nuwedrif (DR1617)
* Seven Passes (MR355 – Geelhoutboom River section)
* Whites Road (DR1621)
* Melkhoutfontein (DR1525)
* Geelbeksvlei (DR1581)
* Novo (DR1573)

Partially open / Stop-and-go

* Nature's Valley to N2 (TR2012)
* N12 Oudtshoorn to Holgate (TR75/1)
* Hoekplaas Road (MR368)
* Warmbad (DR1846)
* Driebekstonnel (DR1672)
* Kruisvallei (MR390)
* Kleinplaas (DR1602)
* Kleinfontein (DR1624)

Local access / Residents only

* Uitvlugt/Skietbane (DR1838)
* Prince Alfred Pass (TR59/1)
* Bo-Kouga (DR1385)
* Dwarsfontein (DR1837)
* Vergenoeg (DR1833)
* Pieters River (DR1660)
* Heimers River (DR1648)
* Blossoms (DR1651)
* Kleinspoort (DR1668)
* Leeublaad (DR1662)
* Middelpad (DR1681)
* Seven Passes (MR355 – Knysna/Plettenberg Bay section)
* Gouna (DR1583)

Central Karoo district

Closed

* Meiringspoort (TR33/4)
* Molteno Pass (TR5801)
* N1 to Nelspoort (MR587)
* Sneuberg Pass (DR2403)
* Harmonie Road (DR2386)
* Aberdeen Turnoff (MR599)
* Swartberg Pass (MR369)
* Die Hel (DR1722)
* Tierberg Road (MR372)
* Kruidfontein Road (MR373)
* Middelwater Road (DR1721)
* Weltevrede Road (DR1724)
* De Aap Road (OP7045)
* Modderdrif Road (DR1728)
* Klipkraal Road (DR2383)
* Steenbokkie Road (DR2310)
* De Jagers Pass (DR2311)
* De Jagers Pass (DR2317)
* Fraserburg Road (MR584)
* Vleiland Road (DR1445)
* Bosluyskloof (DR1720)
* Seweweekspoort (MR309)
* Anysberg Road (MR315)

There is still no official date for the reopening of the R328 after the major rockfall that occurred on 6 May. Photo: Liezl van Niekerk

Overberg district

Closed

* Malgas Pont/Ferry (DR1263)
* Villiersdorp to Grabouw (MR279)

Local access only

* Kaaimans (DR1336)

West Coast district

Closed

* Bosbou Road (DR2182)
* Uitspankraal (DR2266)
* Ou Kaapse Weg (MR544)
* Uitkyk Pass (DR1487)
* Klawer Bridge over the Olifants River (MR547)

Partially open

* Matjies River/Oasis (DR1487)
* Urionskraal (DR2217)
* Skaapvlei (DR2225)
* Vredendal to Vanrhynsdorp (TR1601)

Cape Winelands district

Closed

* Die Plaat (DR1341)
* Robertsvlei Road (DR1351)
* Rooipad (DR1395)
* De Wet (DR1400)
* Non Parel Road (DR1438)
* Kluitjieskraal Road (DR1440)
* Winterhoek Wes Road (DR1461)
* Franschhoek Pass (MR191)
* Bainskloof Pass (MR201)
* Ceres/Worcester Road (MR201)
* Drew (MR288)
* Robertson to Bonnievale (MR289)
* McGregor Road (MR290)
* Rawsonville Road at Smalblaar Bridge (MR298)
* Valley Road (OP5620)
* Kanetvlei (OP5719)
* R43 Worcester to Villiersdorp (TR3002)
* Platvlei Road (OP5780)

Partially open / Stop-and-go

* De Wet Station (DR1423)
* Michells Pass (TR2201)

Local access only

* Sonskyn Road (OP5733)
* Old N1 Road (TR9002)
* Montpellier (OP5812)

Motorists are urged to obey all road closure notices and never attempt to cross flooded roads. Conditions may change rapidly and road users should exercise caution when travelling.

Groot River. Photo: Bitou Municipality