The Port Alfred floods of 17-23 October 2012: A case of disaster (mis)management?

Desmond M Pyle,Tennielle L Jacobs

doi:10.4102/jamba.v8i1.207

Abstract

An intense cut-off low weather system, more commonly known regionally as a ‘black south-easter’, caused severe flooding in Port Alfred and the surrounding coastal areas from 17 to 23 October 2012. Unconfirmed reports of up to 700 mm of rainfall for the period were recorded. Damage caused by the flooding was estimated at R500 million. Eight deaths were recorded. The poorly maintained and ageing infrastructure and storm water systems could not withstand the floodwaters, and as a result, damage was worse than it should have been. Many houses, particularly in the surrounding townships and informal settlements, were destroyed. Disease threats arose, including cholera, diarrhoea and influenza. The South African Weather Service issued weather warnings of severe local flooding in the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape a few days before the flood event. Unfortunately, there was a delay in communicating the severe weather warning effectively to the public, relevant authorities and role-players by local disaster management officials. In addition, there was poor and ineffective local coordination of disaster response and relief efforts. This paper examines the 2012 flood event from both meteorological and disaster management perspectives, using a combined qualitative and quantitative research approach. Findings point to a critical lack of coordination amongst the various role-players before, during and after the disaster. Recommendations for improved proactive and coordinated disaster risk management and disaster risk reduction for the region are made.

Highlights

Port Alfred is situated on the coast at the mouth of the Kowie River, in the Ndlambe Municipal District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa (Figure 1)
Showers and thundershowers resulted across the Eastern Cape Province
In the floods of 2012, the impact was exacerbated by 2 days of heavy rain prior to the actual flooding caused by the cut-off low weather system

Summary

Introduction

Port Alfred is situated on the coast at the mouth of the Kowie River, in the Ndlambe Municipal District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa (Figure 1). It is primarily a holiday town, with a number of permanent retirees and limited commercial or industrial development. Its total population is approximately 26 000. A large proportion of the population lives in the surrounding townships, which are generally poor, and unemployment is common. The town itself has a wealthier population, of which the most affluent reside in the upmarket residential marina development along the Kowie River, close to the river mouth. Port Alfred and the surrounding area exhibit great inequalities in wealth and vulnerability to weather-related hazards, which is reflective of the broader poverty in the Eastern Cape Province (Pyle 2006)

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Conclusion