City of Cape Town initiates replanting project to restore storm-damaged trees
The City of Cape Town has reported attending to 108 calls over the weekend regarding tree-related incidents.
City of Cape Town officials clear debris from damage caused by inclement weather on 7 April 2024. Picture: City of Cape Town/Facebook
Clarence Ford interviews Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
Listen below.
Cleanup operations are currently in progress following heavy rains, strong winds, and thunderstorms that caused extensive damage to 26 schools, roads, power infrastructure, and properties, resulting in one fatality.
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The City of Cape Town has reported attending to 108 calls over the weekend regarding tree-related incidents, exceeding the three-month period of winter in 2023, which was 76.
Ross commends the Recreation and Parks Department team for their prompt and efficient efforts in clearing trees from our roads to mitigate safety hazards.
She notes that the majority of obstructive trees were branches, with only a small portion being older trees.
Furthermore, she emphasises that the majority of homes experiencing roof and fence damage were affected by trees on residential properties, and encourages residents to file claims with their insurance providers.
Ross highlights ongoing efforts to initiate a replanting project aimed at replacing some of the lost trees.
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"Our operational teams have increased and they have done their utmost best to make sure that all the trees have been removed."
- Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member – Community Services and Health
"We cannot just be losing all of our trees, we need to start replanting."
- Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member – Community Services and Health
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