By By Karen Graham Jun 6, 2017 in Environment Cape Town - Resident's in drought-stricken Cape Town, South Africa may get a little relief from their water woes as a monster winter storm, the first of the season approaches. “Residents should make real preparations for the storm and not take it lightly. They should be prepared to stay inside their homes. Outside they should tie down their belongings because we are expecting abnormally strong winds‚” South African Weather Service communications manager Hannelee Doubell said, according to Satellite imagery of front. EUMETsat City officials, emergency crews, and forecasters are on high alert as gale force winds as high as 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour are expected. Rainfall that could exceed 80 millimeters (3.0 inches) is expected to fall within a 24-hour period with some far-reaching regions getting some snow. Looking at the bigger picture, "Residents living in informal settlements will probably be the hardest hit," Charlotte Powell, Cape Town city's disaster management spokeswoman said. Powell says emergency personnel, police and the army is on standby to evacuate anyone stranded by the storm and provide emergency shelter and feed. The People are also reminded that this is just one storm, and it will last 24-hours. The drought will still be here and this does not change the overall status in the water supplies. The massive winter storm that some people are calling a "Mother of a storm," will create severe adverse weather conditions. The South African Weather Service issued severe weather alerts for Wednesday that include high seas, gale force winds, and rainfall that could exceed three inches in some areas.“Residents should make real preparations for the storm and not take it lightly. They should be prepared to stay inside their homes. Outside they should tie down their belongings because we are expecting abnormally strong winds‚” South African Weather Service communications manager Hannelee Doubell said, according to Times Live. City officials, emergency crews, and forecasters are on high alert as gale force winds as high as 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour are expected. Rainfall that could exceed 80 millimeters (3.0 inches) is expected to fall within a 24-hour period with some far-reaching regions getting some snow.Looking at the bigger picture, Reuters points out that millions of people living in shanty towns across the region will end up bearing the brunt of the storm's wrath. They are already coping with a devastating drought, and like they have done for years on end, they will face the fury of the heavy rains and flooding that will wash away their meager homes of wooden planks and tin sheets."Residents living in informal settlements will probably be the hardest hit," Charlotte Powell, Cape Town city's disaster management spokeswoman said. Powell says emergency personnel, police and the army is on standby to evacuate anyone stranded by the storm and provide emergency shelter and feed.The provincial education department has closed schools as a precaution, sending out a notice that reads: "The storm may damage some schools, which may place learners and staff at risk." Schools are expected to reopen on Thursday.People are also reminded that this is just one storm, and it will last 24-hours. The drought will still be here and this does not change the overall status in the water supplies. More about Cape town, droughtstricken, informal settlements, Mother of a storm, rain and snow Cape town droughtstricken informal settlements Mother of a storm rain and snow Flooding