A flash flood is a rapid flooding of a low-lying area.

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It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a severe thunderstorm, hurricane or even a tropical storm. Flash floods are distinguished from regular floods by a timescale of less than six hours.

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You will not always have a warning that these deadly, sudden floods are coming. So, if you live in areas prone to flash floods, plan accordingly in order to protect your family and property.

Below is a list of tips.

Your home:

• Keep emergency numbers and important information handy. Also keep emergency supplies such as water, canned food, a can opener, battery-operated radio, flashlight and protective clothing ready.
• Keep a first aid kit.
• Turn off all your household electrical devices.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• Leave the area before it gets too late. Get to higher ground.

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Should you be outdoors or in your vehicle, do the following:

• Climb to higher ground and stay there.
• Avoid walking through floodwaters – even 15 centimeters deep can sweep you off your feet.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground.
• Never drive through a flooded road as the road may be washed away.
• If you get swept away in the flood waters, try to grab onto anything you can to pull yourself to safety.
• Getting swept away while inside your vehicle can be extremely dangerous. If you are stuck inside your vehicle, roll down the windows and open the doors to allow water into your vehicle. Doing this will equal the pressure on both sides of the door, allowing you to escape your vehicle.

Information provided by ER24

Jukskei River

Weather forecasters are warning Gauteng residents of a strong possibility of further flash flooding. We need to be extra vigilant for our own safety and that of our animals.

Your companion animal will be just as defenceless and vulnerable when faced with rapidly rising water and could be swept away if kept on a running chain or tied up outside of the home.

The following advice could be a way of preventing a dangerous situation for your pet :

•  It must be able to move to higher ground away from the rising water, so pet owners should note where water accumulates on their property during storms and avoid these areas.
•  Ensure that the pet has a shelter or kennel that is raised off the ground (on a pallet, slab of concrete or bricks).
•  Do not chain or tie the animal next to the fence or wall if there is a chance it could collapse on the animal.
•  Pets should have collars and tags as well as microchips.
•  Any draining pipes or holes in fences should be meshed across to allow water to escape, but will stop an animal from being swept away.

If you happen to see a stray animal that is scared and will not approach you, contact AACL or your local shelter for assistance.

As the animal may be far removed from home, it may be very frightened and require special training and equipment to capture.

The AACL inspectorate are ready and willing to assist and can be contacted on 011 435-0672.

A brochure on stray animals is available on its website, www.aacl.co.za/education, for further information and as a reference regarding the law and what to do in the event of finding a stray animal.

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