Waves, wind lash Southern Cape

2008-09-02 09:32

Jackie Kruger

Herold's Bay - Gigantic waves and strong winds have caused widespread damage in the Southern Cape.

A search for a 21-year-old American student was launched early on Monday afternoon after a wave knocked him from the rocks at Harkerville, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) didn't want to reveal his name as his family was still being notified, said spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

By late Monday evening, there was still no sign of the missing student.

Wave damage

Further down the coast, waves caused huge disruptions at the Herold's Bay beachfront.

A wave washed an industrial container full of cement and weighing over a ton right in front of the construction site of a luxury home at about 06:00.

The container was later removed by crane.

Contractors Johan van der Westhuizen and Jacques du Preez, who were working on the house where the container was washed up, said a neighbour woke up from a sound "like a truck in the road" when the waves lifted the container.

The waves also washed a wooden hut near the construction site right up against the house.

The road to the beachfront was still closed to traffic late on Monday. Waves that washed across the road tore up paving and bricks, and water flooded garages.

Power failures

Executive head of Agri Western Cape, Carl Opperman, said strong winds blew in the Herbertsdale, Mossel Bay and George areas. There were several power cuts and trees fell on fences, especially in eastern parts of George.

Cold storage rooms were also affected by the power cuts and cows could not be milked.

Sand had to be pumped from the main pump station in Herold's Bay and municipal workers ensured that the station was working to prevent sewage from being washed onto the beach.

There was no visible damage to golf star Ernie Els's house, except for a wooden chair that had been blown over in the garden. The garage door was locked and according to the contractor currently working at the house, he was not sure if there was damage inside the garage.

- Die Burger