KNYSNA NEWS - Following rainfall of more than 100mm at both Goudveld and Jubilee Creek, 94mm at Farleigh and 63.3mm at Bergplaas in the Garden Route National Park, the Goukamma River burst its banks early on Spring Day (September 1) flooding the RiverDeck Restaurant and Accommodation.
Owner Bennie Terblanche said while the river started to rise rapidly from 04:00 they had enough chance to pull their canoes, paddle boats, some umbrellas, tables and braais to safety.
At around 08:30 the river had risen significantly, flooding the outside seating area as well as the ground floor of this well-known restaurant along the Buffel's Bay road. While standing on the upper level of the restaurant, the river was seen just skimming the awning below.
Terblanche, who has lived in the area for many years, was upbeat and said: "We will just have to wait for the river to subside before we can start the mopping up process."
Elsewhere in the Goukamma Valley, the river had flooded grazing and fields. Although the grazing paddocks' fences were no longer visible above the flood water, the cattle had fortunately been moved to safety to higher ground.
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The view from the first storey of the RiverDeck Restaurant.
The ground floor of the RiverDeck Restaurant is completely engulfed by the Goukamma River.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: FRAN KIRSTEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD - CORRESPONDENT
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