Due to large amounts of rainfall in surrounding areas, Grootdraai Dam was pushed to the absolute limit last week. The sluice gates were opened up to 3m each on January 7, causing an enormous amount of water to flood into the Vaal River.
Due to the coordination and speedy actions of local first responders, residents in areas near the flood line were safely evacuated in time.
At 14:00 on January 7, the Joint Operation Committee gathered to assess the situation and assemble an action plan to handle the fallout of the flood as smoothly as possible.
Role players such as the SAPS, Kasselman Security, Emergency Medical Services, Chaplaincy and the Lekwa Municipality were all in attendance.
Before the sluices were opened promptly between the hours of 19:00 and 20:00, residents were evacuated from the Riverpark and surrounding residential areas in Handel and Burger Street.
They were safely relocated to the Standerton town hall, which was designated as a crisis centre.
The evening grew long for law enforcement agencies such as Kasselman and the SAPS, who patrolled and monitored the area constantly with immense help from the AfriForum neighbourhood watch.
The biggest challenge faced by those who patrolled the area was evacuating vagrants who slept under the bridge.
After almost an hour of reasoning, they were relocated to the town hall, where they could rest for the night without fear of the flood.
The crisis centre was run by EMS Chaplaincy and Trauma Support. Those displaced by the flood received a place to sleep where they could stay safe and dry.
Many members of the community donated to the crisis centre during this time, displaying their love for the community and willingness to help. Soup, coffee, tea, clean water, toiletries, and bedding were donated by goodhearted civilians.
The EMS Chaplaincy and Trauma Support thanked Esme Hughes, Allan Duncan, Jaco and Hannetjie Potgieter, Suzette van Rooyen, André Wentzel, Louise Saayman, Riana Labuschagne, Vihanda Steyl, Wilma and Daniel Venter, Lindie Bierman, Karen Lombard, Michelle de Coning, Frikkie and Stienie Bezuidenhout, Marius Barnard, Sanpat Coetzee and Dr Molly Lyons for their contributions to the crisis centre.
Fourteen matrasses were donated by Standerton High School’s hostel, Huis Dagbreek.
“Standerton is and always has been a close-knit community, I am grateful for every individual and organisation who pitched in and helped in this time of need,” said Wilma Venter, Ward 10 councillor.
According to a statement released by the Lekwa Local Municipality, 22 residents were housed at Standerton town hall during the flood.
This included people residing at the taxi rank, residents of Handel Street and several vagrants wandering near the flood line.
The following morning residents were allowed to return to their homes due to water levels subsiding.
DSD officials came to the town hall to assess the state of the remaining vagrants and attempt to source safer accommodation for them. The Lekwa Local Municipality reminded the public that the mass of water could pose a health threat.
“Stagnant water left behind from rain and floods must not be used for human consumption,” warned Lubabalo Majenge, municipal spokesperson.
Residual water from the flood must not be used for cooking, drinking, washing utensils and so forth, because this could lead to outbreaks of various diseases.
Stagnant water can also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and though we fortunately do not reside in a Malaria area, mosquito bites can lead to severe skin irritation.
