More than 230k people in Western Cape still counting cost of May floods

A preliminary assessment shows the disaster left nearly 23,000 homes damaged, more than 230 roads impacted, and at least 11 people dead, with one person still missing.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the economic toll now exceeds R9 billion, with the agriculture sector being the hardest hit, with losses of more than R5.2 billion.

Damage to transport infrastructure is also approaching R2 billion.

Winde’s spokesperson, Regan Thaw, said the scale of destruction goes beyond what the province can manage alone.

“Additional funding will have to be sought from [the] national government.”

Thaw said that while Eskom has restored electricity to most areas, some communities are still without power, and the broader economic impact from the storm damage is expected to be significant.