Several city restaurants have closed today ahead of the vast storm cell currently hitting the Mother City.

#capestorm the grand in Granger Bay I’ve been told pic.twitter.com/E1DWlrF9tV

— Kurt Henderson (@KurtAich) June 7, 2017

Around lunchtime today, waves began to crash into the outdoor deck at The Grand at Granger Bay, whose prime sea front location and private beach means they’re unprotected from the waves. As yet, waves had not hit the main restaurant. Staff said they had packed away and tied down everything they could, but were waiting to see what high tide brought.

  A post shared by Grand Africa (@grandafrica) on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:33am PDT

Brass Bell, which was battered by high tides in 2015, began preparing for the storm on Tuesday. Thus far, the restaurant seems to be faring alright. As of 11.30am this morning, there had been no damage, and staff said that False Bay seemed to be fairly sheltered with only small waves despite high winds. That said, they were waiting to see what high tide brought at 2pm. Brass Bell also chose to face the storm with true South African spirit, heralding the arrival of the bad weather with a Cape of Storms party. They will host a Party after the Storm on Friday, with sushi specials from 4-6pm and live DJs.

Luxury hotel and restaurant Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay made the decision yesterday to close the resort, for safety’s sake. Operations manager Clare van Zyl said thus far though, things were under control. “Everything seems fine now – we’ve got everything tied down and it’s quite gusty, but as yet we haven’t had any damage or flooding. The tide is coming in, though, and we understand it is going to get worse.”

A webcam at The Bay Hotel shows increasingly large waves on Camps Bay beach, but as yet there is no sign of the water flooding Victoria Road as it did in 2009.

Several other restaurants took the decision to close for the safety of their staff, including the El Burro group, The Creamery and Culture Club Cheese, amongst others. Online food delivery service Orderin has also suspended their services.

 

A post shared by honestchocolate (@honestchocolate) on Jun 6, 2017 at 11:47pm PDT

Several city restaurants have remained open today: Clarke’s, Bacon on Bree, Jason Origin, Giulio’s, Honest Chocolate (might we suggest a banana bread bunny chow?), The General Store, Hoghouse, Yourstruly and BARDOUGH announced via Instagram that they were open and ready to feed hungry people in the storm, but disaster teams are encouraging people to stay indoors if at all possible. Cavendish Square has announced via Facebook that the shopping centre has been closed as a precaution. One Facebook user, Candice Vietri, posted footage of slats of the centre’s roof blowing off and landing on a car on the road below. News outlets have reported winds of up to 120 km/h, snow in Sutherland and on the Matroosberg, collapsed roofs (including one at Mr Price in Somerset West and Bergvliet High School), a fire caused by damaged power lines in Harfield Village, and many uprooted trees. Waves on the Sea Point promenade could be seen breaking over parked cars.

Sea Point Pavillion parking lot at 12.30. @News24 #capestorm pic.twitter.com/QpJnZJH4db — Jan Cronje (@JanTamb) June 7, 2017

The city is on standby to assist stranded people, especially in informal settlements. Please note the following emergency numbers:

Emergencies (fire, traffic, law enforcement and ambulances):
From landline: 107 From mobile: 112 or 021 480 7700
Floods, fallen trees, rockfalls: 080 911 4357
Electricity faults: 0860 103 089 or SMS 31220
Water faults: 0860 103 089
Roads and stormwater: 0800 65 64 63
Traffic signal faults: 0800 65 64 63