Cape Town Storm Kills Motorist in Kenilworth as Western Cape Orders Provincewide School Closure

All schools across the Western Cape will remain closed on Tuesday as severe weather continues to cause damage, flooding and disruption across the province.

The decision follows heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous conditions that have already left one person dead, another injured and several Cape Town communities flooded.

Safety Concerns Force Provincewide Closure

Western Cape education MEC David Maynier said all public ordinary and special schools would be closed to protect learners, teachers and school staff.

The decision was made after consultations with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service.

Maynier said updated forecasts and current conditions showed it was unsafe for schools to operate.

Weather Service Issues Level 8 Warning

The South African Weather Service issued a level 8 warning for parts of the province.

Residents were warned to expect disruptive rainfall, damaging winds and hazardous coastal conditions.

Several schools have already reported storm-related damage, with assessments still under way.

Fatal Tree Collapse in Cape Town

The severe weather turned deadly in Kenilworth, Cape Town, where a tree fell onto a vehicle on Monday, killing one person.

In another incident, a motorist was injured as emergency teams responded to weather-related emergencies across the metro.

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Flooding Hits Several Communities

Flooding was reported in multiple low-lying areas and informal settlements shortly after 11am.

Affected areas included Khayelitsha, Imizamo Yethu, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Phola Park, Gugulethu, Valhalla Park, Tafelsig, Delft and Kampies.

Reports also came from Island, Makhaza, Monwabisi Park and Vygieskraal.

Emergency Teams Respond Across the Metro

City Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said emergency crews were dealing with several incidents across Cape Town.

Flooding was reported at a daycare centre in Mitchells Plain and near Mercury and Galaxy Roads in Rocklands.

Damaged roofs were also reported in Lavender Hill, Gugulethu, Crossroads, Philippi, Portland, Delft and Wynberg.

Canal Overflows as Conditions Worsen

Authorities said the Vygieskraal Canal in Belgravia had reached capacity and was overflowing.

The overflowing canal added to concerns in already flooded communities as heavy rain continued to strain drainage systems.

Humanitarian Aid Reaches Affected Residents

Humanitarian organisations have been deployed to help people affected by the storm.

Hot meals and blankets are being distributed to displaced residents in impacted communities.

Impact and Consequences

The school closure will disrupt learning across the Western Cape, but officials say safety remains the priority.

The storm has already caused loss of life, property damage, flooding and displacement. Informal settlements and low-lying areas are among the most vulnerable, with residents facing damaged homes, blocked roads and emergency evacuations.

What’s next?

Authorities will continue monitoring weather conditions and assessing damage to schools, homes and public infrastructure.

Emergency teams and humanitarian groups are expected to remain active in affected communities until conditions improve.

Summary

The Western Cape has ordered all public ordinary and special schools to close on Tuesday after severe weather brought flooding, destructive winds and dangerous conditions.

One person died when a tree fell on a vehicle in Kenilworth, while emergency teams continue responding across Cape Town.

Bulleted Takeaways:

• All Western Cape public ordinary and special schools will close on Tuesday.
• The closure follows a level 8 weather warning.
• One person died after a tree fell on a vehicle in Kenilworth.
• Another motorist was injured in a separate incident.
• Flooding has affected several Cape Town communities.
• Strong winds damaged roofs in multiple areas.
• Humanitarian groups are providing meals and blankets to displaced residents.