Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says several directorates are preparing reports that will form the basis for an application to the national government for disaster relief and to motivate for a disaster declaration.
Executive mayor Gary van Niekerk, the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Zolile Williams, NMB MMC for Human Settlements told the media during a briefing on Monday that the impact of the heavy rain over the weekend destroyed road infrastructure and bridges, especially in the Kariega area, which was hardest hit.
Van Niekerk said four directorates were now compiling a comprehensive report of the damages and once complete they'll have a clearer picture of the financial losses suffered.
He said in addition, the cost of the reinstatement of services and infrastructure will also be calculated at the same time and that it will form the basis for an application to the national government for disaster relief and motivate the declaration of a disaster.
Quizzed on the state of stormwater systems and infrastructure in Kariega, Van Niekerk admitted that more has to be done to keep them clean in case of another weather disaster.
"But I must also add that dirt from people's yards contributes to blockages. Another thing to note is that 227 mm of rain fell over the weekend, no stormwater infrastructure would withstand it."
Speaking on the impact of the flooding in the town Cogta MEC Zolile Williams said at least seven people had died and one is still missing after the motorist's car was swept away.
"What happened here is devastating and we feel for those affected," says Williams.
He said basic services, such as access to clinics, were not possible.
Residents of Ou Lapland- an informal settlement close to the Tiryville weir were evacuated to the Moravian Church in Rosedale in Kariega as authorities feared that it would overflow and flood homes.
According to Williams, more than 100 people were evacuated between Friday and Sunday evening.
He said it was difficult to access the dam as it is on privately owned land.
"However we managed to trace the owner to inform them that the dam being full poses a disaster and if needed, we would need to build blockages," Williams explained.
One resident who was relocated to the church Natasha Julie said she and her small family lost everything in the floods.
"My son was meant to write an exam today (MON) but could not go to school because everything is wet."
"I am really worried about what is going to happen to us," she said.
Other destitute residents who filled the church, were dressed in tracksuits and sleeping gowns, as it is the only items they managed to save.
Another displaced resident and father to a one-year-old baby girl told Algoa FM News that he has been at the church since Sunday.
"We were promised housing but nothing has come to fruition. We cannot continue living like this, we want land," said resident Michael Otto.
Williams also told the media that most of the people who were evacuated are eager to be relocated to a place that is above the flood line, but could not say where exactly they would be relocated to yet, as it is "a process that will have to be discussed with the mayor and MEC for human settlements."
Meanwhile, in Gqeberha, the Blue Horizon Bay village also suffered great losses due to the weather.
One dwelling and a section of a second house washed away on Saturday evening while the community hall is almost covered in sand.
During a visit on Monday, resident Rina Evans and her friends who live at the house that was partially damaged, were preparing to evacuate the premises.
Photos of their balcony that was damaged, made the rounds on social media on Sunday.
"I was asleep when I heard a loud banging on my bedroom door when I opened it was the boy who lives on the other side of the house whose wall collapsed," Evans recalled.
She said she went to see what was happening and saw that a part of the wall, including the balcony, had washed away.
"It was surreal to see how much water and sand came from the top, but luckily we only had water damage and were told that we had to leave because engineers were not sure if the structure could withhold the sand that washed inside the house."
Evans and her friends will stay temporarily with her daughter until they "figure out the future."
