Heavy downpours wreaked havoc in Gauteng on Thursday evening, resulting in flooding in some parts of Alberton and south of Johannesburg.
WATCH: A video floods captured in Virgin Active / New Market Mall, Alberton
The floods in the area covered several roads, sidewalks causing damage to households, businesses and institutions within the area and the Natalspruit river in a full flow.
Alberton CPF warned residents to avoid most flooded areas such as:
Ring Road West, Raceview Motors Phantom Road, Raceview, heading towards the Lemon Tree Shopping Centre, Voortrekker off-ramp, corner Ring Road East and West, Rugby Club circle Verwoerdpark, Toon van den Heever in Randhart, the bottom parts of Elizabeth Eybers and Hart Avenue Randhart and Louw Street in South Crest.
One of the places affected was the Stepping Stone Hospice where the in-patient unit was flooded.
“What a storm! Our In-patient-unit was flooded. We have used every conceivable towel and blanket to try and stem the water flow.”
“Sr Margi (bless her soul) was administering medication barefoot! Thank you Team Stepping Stone Hospice for keeping our patients safe and cared for,” said Stepping Stone Hospice in a statement.
The Joburg South and Alberton are most likely affected by the floods, in 2019, a hailstorm left Joburg South homeowners with thousands worth of damages.
This follows the hailstorms that ripped through parts of Brackendowns, Alberton and surrounding areas that occurred on April 20 and 21.
The following year, February 2020, a heavy hail storm pelts Alberton and the areas were flooded due to a severe hail storm.
The Dutch Reformed Church in South Crest, 64-66 Jan Meyer Street, will be opening its doors to the public as an emergency centre following last night flooding in Alberton.
The church has been set up as a command centre as well as a place of safety for the community.
According to the Dutch Reformed Church, people currently at the command centre in South Crest are Lorinda Schoonwinkel, Church Pastor, Ward 106 Councillor Timothy Denny and his ward CLO’s (Ashley, Nina, Bronwyn, Lance).
The church will be open this morning, November 26, should anyone need help, please contact Ashley on 081 389 9251 who has volunteered to head up the project on behalf of the residents of Alberton and Ward 106.
“We would like to convey our thanks to residents, first responders, the church, Ward Councillor Tim Denny and his team and so the list goes on forever who have reached out at a time of need.”
The RECORD got some safety tips from The AA for road users during rainy weather. The following tips may be helpful for drivers who have to face a heavy rainstorm on the road.
General tips:
• Increase the three-second rule to five or six seconds to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually.
• Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
• If you find that an oncoming vehicle is overtaking from the opposite direction and will not be likely to do it safely, slow down and be prepared to move to the left shoulder if necessary.
WATCH: Heavy hail storm pelts Alberton
• Only move towards the shoulder if you are able to see clearly 150m ahead of you. Keep in mind that pedestrians may be walking on the shoulder to avoid the mud next to the surface of the road.
• Beware of oil patches. Don’t panic. Do not jam on your brakes, just steer through. In most cases, the patches will be small.
• Always change to a lower gear before you take a bend, especially a sharp bend. Your speed should be at its slowest as you enter the bend and both your hands should be on the steering wheel. This slow in/fast out technique gives you most control when driving around a bend.
• Turn on your headlights.
• Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
WATCH: Hailstorm leaves Joburg South homeowners with thousands worth of damages
• Use your low-beam headlights to see and be seen. Wait a short time after the rain begins before using your windshield wipers because the blades may smear.
• Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
