Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Tshwane today
The warning extends from noon until 21:00 today. Residents are advised to familiarise themselves with flood safety tips.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms in Tshwane from midday on December 15.
Saws warned of localised flooding and a chance of small hail, excessive lightning and strong winds.
A level 2 warning is given for weather events with a high likelihood, but a minor impact.
The affected area covers the span from Limpopo, through the Free State and into KwaZulu-Natal.
Saws also predicts a rainy weekend ahead, with thunderstorms and showers expected until Saturday.
Rekord has compiled these safety tips for driving in heavy downpours:
– Turn on your headlights.
– Adjust your speed to conditions. This includes reducing your speed if other vehicles have reduced their speed.
– Leave larger following distances so there is more time to respond if something goes wrong.
– Give yourself more time to stop or to go around corners.
– Reduced speed is the best way to reduce the chance of sliding out of control.
– If your car is sliding out of control, slowly lift your foot off the accelerator but do not brake hard or move your steering wheel violently.
– If you start to skid, don’t slam on the brakes. Continue steering in the direction you want to go and do not make any harsh adjustments.
– If the downpour becomes extreme, pull over at a petrol station or another safe place.
– Estimate the depth of the water and avoid driving through water that comes to the middle of your tyre or higher. Most drivers risk driving through a pool of water, but it is easy to underestimate the depth. Additionally, roads that collect water are more vulnerable to collapse and create potholes.
– Where possible, drive in the middle of a road where the water is at its lowest.
– Never drive through fast-flowing water, it is very difficult to judge its depth.
– Once you are through the water, lightly touch your brakes a few times to dry them off.
– If you stall and you are not in danger of being swept away, do not restart your car. Rather get a mechanic to check that no water has made its way into the engine.
– If you feel your car losing grip of the road, open the door to let some of the water in which might help to weigh the car down and allow the tyres to grip the road again.
– If you are in danger of being swept away, abandon your vehicle if you have an opportunity to do so safely.
