More than 500 people in Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay were left stranded as a cold front made landfall this week, flooding their homes.
When GroundUp arrived on Thursday, a municipal truck was pumping water out of flooded roads. Volunteers with municipal disaster risk teams and aid organisation Gift of the Givers were already on the ground providing humanitarian relief such as warm meals and blankets.
Middelpos resident Angelique Bergh said all her belongings had been damaged. Everything was wet there - It felt like we were outside. She has had no choice but to temporarily move with her four-year-old to a friends house. But many people were hesitant to leave their homes unattended.
Community leader Arthur Nombewu said some people sought shelter at a church. He said he started getting panicked calls from people asking for help on Wednesday afternoon. I am worried. Its only day two of the cold front and we dont know what is coming. - Weve never seen something like this before, he said.