The Port Alfred floods of 17–23 October 2012: A case of disaster (mis)management?

Jamba

Desmond M. Pyle¹ 

关键词: Port Alfred;    cut-off lows;    floods;    disaster management;    disaster risk reduction;    early warning;   

DOI  :  10.4102/jamba.v8i1.207

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: African Centre for Disaster Studies

【 摘 要 】

An intense cut-off low weather system, more commonly known regionally as a ‘black southeaster’,caused severe flooding in Port Alfred and the surrounding coastal areas from 17 to23 October 2012. Unconfirmed reports of up to 700 mm of rainfall for the period wererecorded. Damage caused by the flooding was estimated at R500 million. Eight deaths wererecorded. The poorly maintained and ageing infrastructure and storm water systems couldnot withstand the floodwaters, and as a result, damage was worse than it should have been.Many houses, particularly in the surrounding townships and informal settlements, weredestroyed. Disease threats arose, including cholera, diarrhoea and influenza. The SouthAfrican Weather Service issued weather warnings of severe local flooding in the coastalareas of the Eastern Cape a few days before the flood event. Unfortunately, there was a delayin communicating the severe weather warning effectively to the public, relevant authoritiesand role-players by local disaster management officials. In addition, there was poor andineffective local coordination of disaster response and relief efforts. This paper examines the2012 flood event from both meteorological and disaster management perspectives, using acombined qualitative and quantitative research approach. Findings point to a critical lack ofcoordination amongst the various role-players before, during and after the disaster.Recommendations for improved proactive and coordinated disaster risk management anddisaster risk reduction for the region are made. Keywords:Port Alfred; cut-off lows; floods; disaster management; disaster risk reduction; early warning

【 授权许可】

CC BY