Losing your home in a natural disaster is devastating. After the disaster, the next few months will be even more difficult. Therefore it's important to take preventative measures to ensure that there's limited damage to you and your property.
Over the years, the Western Cape has been hit with a number of natural disasters which include:
We don’t know when the next natural disaster will occur, so it's important to take preventative steps to make sure that your family is safe and that there’s limited damage to your property.
Safeguard your home against fire damage
If you live in an area that's at high risk of wildfires, the City of Cape Town recommends you take the following precautions to keep your home safe:
Safeguard your home against flood damage
If your property is at risk of flooding, take precautions and follow these measures:
Reporting disasters are the first step to ensuring your safety. Therefore it's important to report a wildfire, storm surge or possible flood immediately, even if it's a small one, and to keep monitoring the situation.
If you have to leave, make sure that you're wearing protective clothing, contact your municipality immediately and don't leave your pets behind.
We also recommend that you follow these steps when evacuating a flood or fire.
Why is home insurance important?
Getting home insurance covers more than just the roof over your head. Repairs are usually costly, and since emergencies are sudden and unexpected, you might not have the financial resources to pay for the repair damaged structures immediately. Insurance usually covers the repair costs of your home should it get damaged during an emergency. The cover also usually extends to the contents in your home and not just the physical. Speak to a financial advisor regarding the best insurance for you.
When your home has been damaged
During an emergency, public safety officials use a combination of methods to keep the public informed:
There's no guarantee that every citizen will be contacted, but these methods allow regional officials to quickly notify large sections of the local population.
The Western Cape Government’s Disaster Management will coordinate and facilitate efforts to best help you during the emergency. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre will inform the Department of Social Development, Provincial Human Settlement and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to give social relief support to the citizens.
If you own a private residence and it is damaged during a natural disaster, please contact your insurance company immediately.
However, if you live in government housing or an informal dwelling, please alert the municipality where you live and contact the Provincial Department of Human Settlements. Your local municipality will help with starter fire kits and provide aid after the disaster. You should also contact the Provincial Department of Human settlement for help.
Other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Gift of the Givers and the Red Cross can also help you during an emergency.
Municipality contact details
MUNICIPALITY |
CONTACT NUMBER |
WEBSITE |
City of Cape Town |
Tel: 086 010 3089 |
|
Cape Winelands District Municipality |
Tel: 086 126 5263 |
|
Breede Valley |
Tel: 023 348 4994 /6 |
|
Drakenstein |
Tel: 021 807 4500 |
|
Langeberg |
Tel: 023 615 8000 |
|
Stellenbosch |
Tel: 021 808 8111; 021 808 8890 (24/7 Emergencies) |
|
Witzenberg |
Tel: 023 316 8201 |
|
Central Karoo District Municipality |
Tel: 023 449 1000 |
|
Beaufort West |
Tel: 023 414 8100 |
|
Laingsburg |
Tel: 023 551 1019 |
|
Prince Albert |
Tel: 023 541 1036 |
|
Garden Route District Municipality |
Tel: 044 803 1335 |
|
Bitou |
Tel: 044 501 3024 |
|
George |
Tel: 044 801 9069 |
|
Hessequa |
Tel: 028 713 8038 |
|
Kannaland |
Tel: 028 551 1023 |
|
Knysna |
Tel: 044 302 6380 |
|
Mosselbay |
Tel: 044 606 5000 |
|
Oudtshoorn |
Tel: 044 203 3003 |
|
Overberg District Municipality |
Tel: 028 425 1157 |
|
Cape Agulhas |
Tel: 028 425 1927 |
|
Overstrand |
Tel: 028 313 8080 |
|
Swellendam |
Tel: 028 514 1100 |
|
Theewaterskloof |
Tel: 028 214 3300 |
|
West Coast District Municipality |
Tel: 022 433 8425 |
|
Bergriver |
Tel: 022 913 1126 |
|
Cederberg |
Tel: 027 482 8030 |
|
Matzikama |
Tel: 027 201 3321 |
|
Saldanabay |
Tel: 022 701 7101 |
|
Swartland |
Tel: 022 487 9400 |