Pedestrian safety tips during flash floods

According to the City of Johannesburg, nearly half of all flash-flood deaths are road-related, so never drive or let anyone drive through floodwaters. 

Roads could be washed out under the running water and if your car stalls in just two feet of moving water, the water will have enough force to lift up your car and carry it away. The City also warned that if a flash-flood warning has been issued for your area, act immediately! You may only have seconds before flood water appear.

The City has provided the following tips for you to follow during flash floods, to stay safe this rainy season:

• If you are outdoors and flash floods are likely, get to higher ground immediately. You cannot outrun a flash flood.
• Keep out of places that are most likely to flood such as ditches or dry stream beds.
• Avoid already flooded areas and high-velocity flow areas
• Never attempt to run across flooding water when the water is above your ankles.
• Do not walk into or near high water
• Keep children from drainage ditches and open stormwater drains.

Related Article: 

Alert: Flood warning issued for Joburg