Informal settlement residents recall 2022 flood damage
THE ongoing heavy downpour is a constant reminder of the damage and heartache that was caused by the April 2022 floods.
The flood resulted in widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement of many residents in KZN.
The residents in the East and West Quarry Road Informal Settlements said seeing hundreds of houses being washed away will stay in their minds for a long time.
Also read: Severe flooding hits Durban roads
Despite people losing their homes and belongings, resident Menzi Mthethwa said they will forever be grateful for the warning from the Palmiet River Watch (PRW) Flood Alert group.
The Palmiet River Watch is a community-driven initiative established in May 2013. It formed the Palmiet River Watch Flood Alert Group on October 17, 2018 with a mission to protect the growing number of residents in the floodplain from the dangers that lurked in the waters.
'It saved hundreds of lives, 245 shacks washed away and I dread to imagine the number of people that could have lost their lives if we were not alerted early.'
Mthethwa said they received the warnings the day before.
'It was a challenge trying to convince the community to abandon their homes. I remember it like it was yesterday, it was a harrowing experience. The rain started around midday on April 11; we tried to get people to evacuate their homes, some of them moved out and as the day progressed it started getting bad and more people heeded our plea for them to move.
'I remember standing in the dark, with pouring rain, around 02:00 looking at houses being washed away; some people sought shelter at a service station,' he said.
Also read: Families relive traumatic experiences in the floods
Mthethwa said they were promised that they will be moved to a safer place but nothing has been done.
'We can not sleep when it rains. The worst part is that the heavy rains always surface around the Easter holidays. We can not go away and visit our extended families or go to church services as we are afraid that we will come back and all our belongings will be washed away,' he said.
Averting the worst
Lee D'Eathe, founder and champion of the Palmiet River Watch, said the anniversary of the floods of April 11, 2022, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives that were forever changed.
'As the stormy night unfolded, the Palmiet River Flood Alert WhatsApp group sprang into action, consciously disregarding the erroneous forecasts and instead relying on the Severe Weather and Information Centre SA's high-level warning.
'With thousands of lives at risk, the group's prior warnings prompted the residents of East and West Quarry Road Informal Settlements for 'total evacuation' of their homes, averting a catastrophic tragedy.'
Also read: Damage to KZN companies estimated at R7bn after floods
In the midst of chaos, D'Eathe said communications went dark, leading him to fear the worst. It turned out that powerlines had snapped as homes were washed away.
'Heroes emerged, braving the raging waters, they formed human chains, bravely guiding their neighbours to safety. The pouring rain pounded down as they watched, helpless, as hundreds of homes vanished into the floodwaters.'
The Westville resident said the toll would have been far greater if the Palmiet River Watch Flood Alert Group had not taken decisive action.
'The community's trust and compliance with the warnings saved many lives, showing the strength of unity, and resilience. The story echoes the heroic tale of the Padavatan Six, who, in 1917, saved 176 lives during the Natal floods. The community's bravery serves as a beacon of hope and selflessness in the face of disaster,' he said.
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