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UPDATE: All Western Cape Schools to close due to bad weather
Extreme weather conditions have caused chaos across the Mother City, as gale-force winds of up to 100km/h and heavy rainfall pounded the Cape Metropole and surrounding regions on Monday morning.
Over the weekend, the South African Weather Service warned of a second cold front expected to move in on Monday, bringing a multi-hazard weather event with flooding, strong winds, dangerous coastal conditions, and some snowfall.
UPDATE: Cape braces for strong 100km/h winds warning
Gale-force winds of over 90km/h are considered extremely dangerous, with incidents of trees being broken and uprooted, as well as buildings suffering severe storm damage, reported widely across community WhatsApp channels and social media. The City of Cape Town has asked that any flooding or storm-related emergencies be reported immediately.
Emergency Helpline Numbers:
- Community Medics*: 087 230 0404
- Community Intervention Centre: Trauma & Violence: HELPLINE: 082 821 3447
- Police Flying Squad 10111
- Ambulance: 10177
- City of Cape Town General Emergency: 107
- Cell Phone Emergency: 112 (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom)
- Government Emergency Services: 112
- Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions - 0860103089 or - sms 31373
- Electricity outages/disruptions - 0860103089 or - sms 31220
- Roads closures, delays on roadways and deviations - 0800656463
- CT Weather office - 021-9340749/- 021-9340831,
- Weatherline - 0831230500
"Everywhere you look, there are trees and walls blown over. Although it hasn't been as bad as in the southern Cape, we've seen over 50mm so far this weekend," added Weatherman Pete in his latest update.
"The semi-good news is that the wind will die down a little by this afternoon, but the rainy and windy weather will continue until tomorrow evening (Tuesday), with isolated showers into Wednesday. Then the frontal systems will have passed, and we'll have a break to repair the damage and bring some order to the chaos. There is no more rain on the horizon until the 26th of May. Please keep warm and stay indoors if at all possible. If you're out, drive carefully!"
Major attractions shut!
SANParks has also confirmed that a number of sites across Table Mountain National Park has been closed. Parts of the Boulders Penguin Colony walkway have been temporarily closed due to storm damage.
"Due to fallen trees and branches caused by the current inclement weather conditions affecting Cape Town, the Forest Link walkway at the Boulders Penguin Colony has been temporarily closed to tourists until further notice. Teams will be mobilised to attend to the situation. Visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution during this period and to adhere to all safety signage and staff instructions."
"Due to the current inclement weather conditions affecting Cape Town and surrounding areas, certain sections and facilities within Table Mountain National Park may be temporarily closed for visitor safety."
Temporary Table Mountain National Park Closures:
• Forest Link walkway - Boulders Penguin Colony
• Oudekraal Picnic Site
• Lion's Head Summit
• Signal Hill Precinct
• Deer Park Trails
• Newlands Picnic Site
• Cecilia Forest Trails
• Constantia Nek Trails
• Tokai Picnic Sites
• Trails in Tokai (Upper and Lower levels)
SANParks teams are currently responding to:
• Fallen trees and branches
• Flooding and water-related impacts
• Hazardous pathways and trail conditions
• Wildlife rescue and monitoring where required
Today is not the day to be out hiking the mountains, warned SANparks. "Visitors are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and hiking within affected park areas and to exercise caution around rivers, streams, mountain paths, coastal sections and low-lying areas as a number of fallen trees have been reported. Please adhere to all safety signage and instructions from park officials.
Cape Point battered by the severe wind and rain - shutting operations
"Due to extremely strong winds at Cape Point, the Flying Dutchman Funicular and shuttle services will not operate today for safety reasons. We encourage all visitors to exercise caution while exploring the reserve today (Monday).
CapeNature Reserves remain closed!
On Friday, 8 May CapeNature initially advised the closures of certain reserves, but as severe weather conditions continue, it's best to check the official CapeNature website or contact the relevant reserve before travelling.
- Robberg and Goukamma Nature Reserve: All facilities closed from 6–11 May 2026.
- Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: All accommodation, hiking trails, picnic sites and 4x4 trails, including Oukraal, closed from 7–14 May 2026.
- De Mond Nature Reserve: The Damara Trail closed from 9–13 May 2026.
- Stony Point Nature Reserve: All facilities, including the boardwalk, closed from 10–11 May 2026.
- Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve: All hiking trails and picnic sites closed from 10–12 May 2026.
- Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve: All facilities and overnight huts closed from 10–12 May 2026.
- Cederberg Complex and Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve: All day and overnight trails closed from 10–14 May 2026, including Stadsaal and Truitjieskraal.
Garden Route extreme weather repair
Further afield, mop-up operations continue along the Garden Route, of the its various coastal towns bore the brunt of the incoming storm conditions at the start of the weekend. Nature’s Valley Camp in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park have been temporarily closed, as teams continue to assess the extent of the damage, with repair work ongoing.
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