NSRI teams rally to help TEARS animal rescue after devastating floods

Last month, intense rains led to severe flooding at TEARS Animal Rescue in Sunnydale, inundating parts of the facility, with the dog kennels among the worst affected. Quick coordination and swift action from the NSRI, along with the broader community, helped prevent a bad situation from becoming a tragedy.

TEARS issued a heartfelt message in the aftermath, expressing deep gratitude to those who came to their aid. “We want to extend a massive and heartfelt thank you to the amazing NSRI teams from: Station 10 – Simon’s Town, Station 8 – Hout Bay, and Station 26 – Kommetjie,” the organisation wrote. “Your incredible support in helping pump out floodwater from our kennels made all the difference — we are so deeply grateful for your kindness and quick response.”

The effort began when Wendy Scheepers, a TEARS volunteer who also serves as a Class 3 Coxswain at NSRI Station 10, raised the alarm. “The request came from Wendy,” said Simon McDonnell, Station Commander at Simon’s Town. “I decided to send our salvage pump as she said their kennels were flooding. I activated a crew and tasked them to meet me at TEARS with the pump.”

Station 10 was first on scene, setting up equipment and beginning to clear standing water. As the scale of the flooding became clearer, Simon received calls from Station 8 in Hout Bay and Station 26 in Kommetjie, both offering assistance. Soon, teams from all three stations were working side by side to stabilise the site.

For Station 8, getting to TEARS was no small feat. “Chapman's Peak was closed due to bad weather and heavy rainfall,” explained Spencer Oldham, Station Commander in Hout Bay. “We had to negotiate that they open up for us to allow us through as an emergency vehicle, and eventually made it through the rain and weather to TEARS just over an hour later.”

Station 8 deployed both a large-volume and smaller dewatering pump and arrived on site with a crew of four and full wet-weather gear. Shortly after, Station 26 arrived with additional pumps and personnel.

The coordinated response allowed the teams to manage the floodwater quickly and effectively. While the cleanup at TEARS continues and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, the immediate crisis was averted.

The experience also highlighted the deep interconnection between volunteer organisations and the communities they serve. As TEARS noted: “To everyone who donated, shared our call for help, or sent messages of care and encouragement on social media — thank you. Your compassion and generosity continue to carry us through challenges like this one.”

In the face of adverse weather and logistical challenges, the response from NSRI volunteers was a testament to what community-driven emergency service can achieve. Teams from three stations mobilised, bringing equipment, workforce, and critical support.

Their action made all the difference.