The weather service issued a storm surge warning for the Western Cape on Monday. Image: US National Ocean Service.
Weather: Storm Surge expected in coastal parts of Western Cape
A storm surge resulting in strong winds and high waves are expected between Plettenberg Bay and Fish River in the Western Cape.
The weather service issued a storm surge warning for the Western Cape on Monday. Image: US National Ocean Service.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for Storm Surge in places along the coast between Plettenberg Bay and Fish River in the Western Cape.
STORM SURGE EXPECTED IN COASTAL WESTERN CAPE
According to the weather service, the weather phenomenon is expected to result in coastal flooding due to an increased sea level of 0.6m above the highest astronomical high tide.
The US National Ocean Service defines a storm surge as the abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm. It is measured as the height of the water above the normal predicted astronomical tide. “The surge is caused primarily by a storm’s winds pushing water onshore.”
The potential impact of the weather includes:
- Localised damage to coastal infrastructure like walkways, pipelines, property, road and rail routes.
- Localised disruptions to beachfront activities. Beaches may be closed for swimming and shore or rock angling.
- Localised flooding of low-lying areas.
Meanwhile an Orange Level 5 warning for damaging winds and waves has also been issued.
The strong winds and waves will result in difficulty in navigation, damage to coastal infrastructure, beach erosion and possible rogue waves are expected along the Plettenberg Bay and Port Edward.
ALSO READ: Orange level 5 warning issued for damaging winds and waves
