Joey Lötter, manager of Ons Plek Strand, says residents of the caravan park were hit by the flood around 01:00 on Wednesday morning.
"Approximately 280 people were uprooted. AfriForum and the city's disaster management team had to help rescue certain residents from their homes. Animal organisations also helped save all the dogs and some cats; the smaller animals are currently being cared for here at Ons Plek. Thanks to the quick action, no loss of life has been reported so far," says Lötter.
Lötter adds that the entire community spent the rest of Wednesday evacuating the camp and rescuing belongings that could be salvaged.
"At certain places in the camp, the river stood waist-high. Only 20 houses in the camp have not suffered too much damage and are ready for people to settle in again," she says.
According to Lötter, 50 people are currently housed at Ons Plek Strand, directly next to Kay's. Another 20 people are being cared for at the nearby NG Church. The church and Helpende Hand's Emergency Fund bought mattresses for the flood victims. The City of Cape Town also donated nearly 200 blankets so far.
"The community's help has been incredible. However, we think the worst is not over yet because more heavy rainfall is predicted for the weekend. An officer from the Disaster Management Centre also told me that it was one of the worst floods he had experienced in the area. Many role players will do a more in-depth assessment today (Thursday)," Lötter says.
Lötter concludes that the biggest immediate need is warm clothes, blankets, pillows, shoes, housewares and cleaning products such as mops. The donations can be dropped off at Ons Plek Strand, after which Helpende Hand will distribute the donations to where the need is greatest.
Helpende Hand arranged for the victims to receive counselling.
For more information, visit
www.helpendehand.co.za. You can also follow Solidariteit Helpende Hand's Ons Plek centre on
Facebook,
Twitter or on
Instagram.