The 2023 Western Cape floods were a devastating series of floods affecting the
Western Cape province of
South Africa as a result of heavy rainfall on 24-25 September 2023.[1] The flooding resulted in at least 11 fatalities, the closure of over 200 roads, and over 80,000 people being left without electricity.[2][3]
By Tuesday 26 September, at least 11 people had been killed in the floods. Eight of those people, including 4 children were
electrocuted when floods damaged electricity connections in their
informal settlements. The remaining three people were killed after being washed away by the flood waters. The number of people without electricity as a result of the flooding had reduced from over 80,000 people to approximately 15,000.[6] As of 29 September, one person remains missing after being washed off a bridge while in his car in the town of
Kleinmond.[7]
Agriculture
In the immediate aftermath of the floods, the Western Cape Government estimated that damages to the agricultural sector in the province stood at R1.4 billion.[8]
Events
The
Rocking the Daisies music festival, initially scheduled for 6-8 October, was postponed to 17-19 November after the floods affected venue preparation.[9]
The 32nd
Hermanus Whale Festival was cancelled for health and safety reasons after water infrastructure in the area was damaged. Hermanus residents were supplied with water by tankers.[10]