The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescued 49 people and an undetermined number of animals during a mass overnight flood operation in the Gamtoos Valley near Jeffreys Bay.

The NSRI said its Emergency Operations Centre and Oyster Bay crew were activated at 01:40 on Friday after reports that people and animals were trapped by rising water at Kingsway Resort on the Gamtoos River.

Crews from Gqeberha, Oyster Bay, Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay were called in, alongside police, emergency medical services, Kouga authorities, Rescue South Africa and local volunteers.

“Reports suggested at least 40 persons, and animals, trapped by rising waters,” NSRI Eastern Cape Regional Representative Ian Gray said in a statement. The organisation later estimated that 60 people had been at risk.

The flooding followed a South African Weather Service (SAWS) orange level 8 warning for disruptive rain over Kouga and Kou-Kamma, with heavy rain forecast

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