Throwback: When South Africa’s seas turned deadly

On 17 September 2023, large waves battered parts of South Africa’s coastline, damaging buildings, sweeping away vehicles and leaving several people injured.

Waves reached up to 9.5 metres and affected more than half of the country’s coastline.

The rough conditions came as gales, high swells and a spring tide occurred at the same time.

Storm Surge 16/17 Sept – What happened & why?
🌊Waves up to 9.5m affected >50% of the SA coast.
>causing damage to buildings, swept away vehicles, beach erosion, multiple injuries & 2 deaths.

Gales, high swells & spring tide occurred at the same time.
⚠️No alerts today and tmw pic.twitter.com/Jp9qqcGJSN

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic)

September 18, 2023

The combination pushed powerful waves into coastal communities, causing damage to buildings and vehicles while also eroding beaches.

Herolds Bay near George was among the worst-hit areas. Residents living close to the beach were evacuated as waves battered the coastline.

George Municipality later estimated that damage to infrastructure and private property had reached millions of rand.

Coastal towns along South Africa’s coastline count the damage

The damage stretched from the Western Cape to the Southern and Eastern Cape.

In Kalk Bay, powerful waves damaged the Brass Bell Restaurant and Kalk Bay Theatre. Windows were smashed, roofs were damaged and water flooded buildings.

Residents in Gordon’s Bay also found homes, garages, vehicles and belongings damaged after the waves reached the shore. At Bikini Beach Villa, the force of the water shattered sliding doors and destroyed the property.

Reports also came from Mossel Bay, Jeffreys Bay, Beachview, Seaview and Mangolds Pool.

Two people died

The stormy conditions also had a deadly impact. Two people died and several others were injured during the event, including an elderly woman who died in the Garden Route after a storm surge.

George Municipality closed beaches in the area as the coastline remained dangerous.

The event showed how quickly coastal conditions can turn dangerous when strong winds, large swells and a spring tide happen at the same time.