[South Africa Gateway KZN, or KwaZulu-Natal, is a province in the nation of South Africa. It is located in the southeastern part of the country and borders the Indian Ocean. KwaZulu-Natal was created in 1994 by merging the former Natal Province and the KwaZulu "homeland"]
Flash floods devastate Newcastle care homes. Residents evacuated. Emergency teams battled rising waters and collapsed roofs to save frail and disabled residents after torrential rain turned Newcastle's streets into rivers. A large-scale rescue operation was launched in Newcastle, KZN after flash flooding triggered by torrential rain left two care facilities severely damaged and dozens of elderly and disabled residents trapped yesterday afternoon.
What's happening? The witness reports that KZM private ambulance service, firefighters, and local rescue units responded to multiple distress calls from the LA Gratitude Retirement Facility and the Care Facility where flood waters quickly engulf the ground floors.
The Quazulu Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs COGA MEC Reverend Philisi Boothi has dispatched disaster management teams to Newcastle after parts of the CBG were flooded due to heavy rains on Sunday. In a statement on Sunday night, the COCA department said the severe storm came as inclement weather had been forecast for Quazulu Natal for Monday and Tuesday, including potential heavy rains.
In response to this forecast, disaster management teams provincewide are on high alert and are closely monitoring the developing weather conditions to ensure rapid response capabilities are maintained. The Newcastle municipality said in a separate statement that teams were implementing immediate response measures to ensure public safety and to minimize further impact. These measures included disaster management personnel are attending to flooded zones and assisting affected businesses and property owners.
Municipal engineers and technical teams are conducting site inspections to evaluate the extent of storm related damage particularly where road surfaces and paving have been lifted. It added that there was also an electricity outage due to the flooding of various substations. It expected that the power would be restored by Monday morning. The municipality said all necessary resources have been mobilized to restore affected areas and ensure that essential services continue with minimal disruption. KZN private ambulance service spokesperson Craig Ba says torrents of water overwhelmed the area's storm water systems, turning access roads into rivers and forcing rescuers to wade through waste deep water to reach stranded residents. BA said preliminary reports indicated significant structural damage at both facilities. Roofs in the frail care wings were damaged, causing water to stream into residential units.
The ground floor units at both facilities experienced severe flooding with water levels creating a substantial risk to the elderly and physically disabled residents. Frail residents were relocated to dry sections of the facilities. The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, COGA, confirmed that disaster management teams had been dispatched to Newcastle. According to COGTA, parts of the Newcastle CBE were also affected and several roads were closed last night. NBC Fulizui Boothi urged residents in and around Newcastle to exercise extreme caution, especially when traveling and to follow the instructions of emergency personnel. This localized incident comes against a backdrop of broader adverse weather conditions across the province.
The South African Weather Service has forecast inclement weather in KZN for today and parts of tomorrow with the potential for heavy rain. Buthy added that the incoming weather system could worsen the flooding in Newcastle and impact other vulnerable areas across KZN.
In response to the forecast, disaster management teams across the province have been placed on high alert and are closely monitoring conditions to ensure rapid response capabilities are maintained. Residents are urged to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay informed through official government communication channels. Northern Natal News reported that traffic officials had closed most roads leading into the Newcastle Central Business District yesterday and urged motorists to avoid the area. The intersection of Boundary and Bird Streets was inaccessible. Community WhatsApp groups were flooded with reports from residents whose homes and properties were waterlogged. The Newcastle CPF issued a safety warning stating, "Dear community, it is not necessary for you to leave your homes to view the town. Please remain indoors. Only leave if it is an emergency. We urge all residents to please remain at home. Quazulu Private Ambulance Service, firefighters, and local rescue units responded to multiple distress calls from the LA Gratitude Retirement Facility and the Care facility where flood waters quickly engulf the ground floors. Quazulu private ambulance spokesperson Craig Botha said that upon arrival torance of water had overwhelmed the area's storm water systems, turning access roads into rivers and forcing rescuers to wade through waste deep water to reach stranded residents. Ba said preliminary reports indicated significant structural damage at both facilities. Roofs in the frail care wings were damaged causing water to stream into residential units. The Quazulu Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, COGA, confirmed that disaster management teams have been dispatched to Newcastle. According to COGA, parts of the Newcastle CBE were also affected and several roads were closed on Sunday evening. MEC Thus Boothi urged residents in and around Newcastle to exercise extreme caution, especially when traveling and to follow the instructions of emergency personnel. He added that the incoming weather system could worsen the flooding in Newcastle and impact other vulnerable areas across Quazulu Natal. In response to the forecast, disaster management teams across the province have been placed on high alert and are closely monitoring conditions to ensure rapid response capabilities are maintained. Residents across Kazianne are urged to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay informed through official government communication channels. Roads affected by flooding and subsequently closed include AI Street, Kirkland Street, Scott and Bird Street, Patterson and Allen Street, Allen Street near KFC where paving was lifted off.
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