11/05/2026
Severe Weather Batters Cape Town as Flooding and Damage Spread Across Metro
Cape Town, South Africa– The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has confirmed widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and weather-related incidents across the metro as severe storm conditions continue to batter the region.
Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell provided a situational update at 11:15am, confirming that several informal settlements have been severely affected by flooding. Areas impacted include **Island, Makhaza, and Monwabisi in Khayelitsha, Imizamo Yethu, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Phola Park, Gugulethu, Valhalla Park, Vygieskraal, Tafelsig, Delft, and Kampies.
Humanitarian relief efforts are currently underway, with hot meals and blankets being distributed to affected residents by partner organisations.
Flooding has also been reported in formal residential areas, including a day care centre in Mitchells Plain** and the corner of Mercury and Galaxy Roads in Rocklands.
Strong winds have caused significant structural damage, with reports of roofs being damaged in Grindal Avenue in Lavender Hill, Gugulethu, Crossroads, Marcus Garvey in Philippi, Portlands, Delft, and Garden Road in Wynberg.
The Vygieskraal Canal in Belgravia has reached full capacity and is now overflowing, raising concerns about additional flooding in surrounding areas.
Several major roads have become hazardous due to flooding and rockfalls. These include **Rosmead Avenue in Wynberg, multiple roads in Mitchells Plain, and Dido Valley Road in the Deep South**. Rockfalls have also been reported along Chapman’s Peak Drive and Ou Kaapse Weg towards Tokai, creating dangerous driving conditions.
Authorities have also received reports of uprooted trees across the metro, from the M3 corridor to Somerset West, with some incidents affecting power lines and causing electricity disruptions.
Tragically, the storm has already claimed one life. A person was killed in Kenilworth after a tree fell onto the vehicle they were travelling in. In a separate incident in Parow, a motorist sustained injuries after a tree collapsed onto their vehicle.
According to the South African Weather Service, the severe weather conditions are expected to continue until tomorrow, with further impacts anticipated as the storm system persists.
The City has warned that, due to safety concerns for municipal staff, some emergency assessments, repair work, and service reinstatements may be delayed until conditions improve.
Residents are urged to remain indoors where possible, avoid flooded roads, and report emergencies through the City’s official disaster management channels.
