News in a Minute: 2 dead as storms wreak havoc in the Cape [video]

The ferocious Cape Storm shows no sign of relenting on Thursday, and widespread rainfall and strong winds are expected to persist up until tomorrow morning.

Weather warnings remain in place, but sadly, the extreme conditions have already claimed two lives in the past 24 hours.

CAPE STORMS: TWO KILLED WHEN VEHICLE OVERTURNS

Western Cape officials confirmed that roads have been damaged, major commuter routes shut down, and two people died in floodwaters in Bonnievale on the R317 last night – after being trapped in an overturned vehicle.

READ: Weather warning: ‘Severe cold front’ headed for Cape Town

Luckily, a number of children who were reported to be trapped under a bridge were found to be safe in a nearby house.

The Western Cape government has expressed its condolences to those affected by this terrible tragedy.

Anton Bredell, The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning in the Western Cape, has expressed his condolences to those affected by this terrible tragedy. The Cape Storm has dumped over 100mm of rain in some suburbs, pushing emergency services to their very limits overnight.

“Our emergency services have been working tirelessly throughout the night. The conditions caused by the Cape Storm were very difficult and we are grateful for the men and women who stood up once more to help our communities. We hope that we don’t see any further major incidents and urge the public to take care over the next few days.”

“In Robertson and Hermanus, 41mm of rainfall has been measured. Struisbaai, meanwhile, has received 115mm of rainfall. Swellendam has recorded 45mm, and Grabouw 58mm. In Cape Town, between 6mm and 14mm has been measured so far. And finally, the Tsitsikamma region has received about 48mm to 50mm.”