The rain resulted in numerous flash floods, evident at the OR Tambo Airport, the R21, Edgar Road in Boksburg (by the dam at the fire station) while numerous other bridges and even homes were flooded.
A flash flood in Linksfield is believed to have resulted in the death of at least two people, this is according to Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spoekesperson Nana Radebe.
More than a hundred cars were pushed off the N3 highway, down an embankment, and were submerged.
ALSO READ: WATCH GALLERY: Rain is causing havoc; great rains are falling .
ALERT: Motorists are again warned that tonight there could be a similar heavy downpour. Motorists are urged to drive carefully.
Here are some times when facing a flash flood:
- Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas‚ even if the water looks shallow enough to cross;
- Leave your vehicle if it stalls and move immediately to higher ground;
- Never drive into water that covers the road, you do not know how deep it is or whether the road underneath has been washed away;
- During heavy rains be on special alert near dips in the highway and near low-lying bridges;
- Exercise caution‚ especially at night when visibility is poor;
- Pedestrians must avoid areas where water is flowing rapidly;
- Keep children away from playing in drainage ditches or storm water drains.
13 tips for driving in the rain:
1 Always turn on your vehicle’s headlights in wet weather.
2 In heavy rain use the brighter (rear fog lights) setting for your car’s tail lights.
3 Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition and do a clean sweep.
4 Do not allow the inside of your car’s windows to mist up. Switch on front and rear screen demisters and your aircon – yes, an aircon dries the air and removes mist almost instantly.
5 Check your tyre tread: the legal minimum is 1mm but for safety’s sake make sure it’s treble that.
6 Worn shock-absorbers don’t keep the rubber hard down on the road; no road contact = no ABS, no grip and very little braking.
7 Cloudy and rain equals poor visibility. Take extra care when overtaking – and remember not all drivers coming towards you will have their headlights on.
8 Adjust speed and following distance; at least six seconds to the car ahead. Ensure you can stop within the visible area ahead.
9 Avoid abrupt acceleration, braking and steering which can result in a skid.
10 Don’t drive through deep water. It could damage your car and possibly cost you your life.
11 If you have no option but to drive through such water, then drive slowly in a low gear, holding the steering wheel steady.
12 After driving in heavy rain allow your brakes to dry – especially if your vehicle has drum brakes.
13 If you experience car/bike trouble turn on your hazard lights and try to move completely off the road. If possible, ensure that you have a reflective warning triangle to erect some distance behind your vehicle.
** For those who have photos of the flooding and the rain yesterday in Boksburg, sent photos to riaane@caxton.co.za
The Advertiser will also be publishing an update on the impact of the storm on Boksburg.
