WATCH: Tshwane EMS rescue trapped driver after at least 15 Centurion roads are flooded

While extreme weather has caused havoc in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng has not been immune. And yet again, another motorist has got into deep trouble driving through a flooded area – fortunately this time without fatal consequences.

Heavy rains saw emergency services (EMS) rescue a woman trapped in her Renault Kiger in a flooded road in Centurion on Tuesday morning.

ALSO READ: Weather plays havoc on South Africa’s roads

At least emergency vehicles and specially trained water rescue personnel were called to the scene at the corner of End and Rabie streets, Centurion, where the Renault Kiger SUV stalled after being engulfed by water more than 40cm deep.

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink thanked Tshwane EMS for rescuing the resident, while urging drivers to be cautious.

“I’d like to plead with all motorists and pedestrians not to try cross flooded roads and bridges,” he said.

Cilliers tweeted a video of the incident, in which one emergency services respondent can be seen climbing onto the vehicle’s roof while his colleagues pass a rope to him in order to extract the driver.

Watch: Tshwane driver rescued from flooded road

I’d like to plead with all motorists and pedestrians not to try cross flooded roads and bridges. This morning our Tshwane Emergency Services rescued a female driver trapped on a flooded road in her vehicle in Centurion. I want to thank our EMS teams for a successful rescue. pic.twitter.com/OxZDZbijSo

— Mayor Cilliers Brink (@tshwane_mayor) April 9, 2024

ALSO READ: Renault Kiger vs Nissan Magnite: Which is better?

15 flooded roads

The City revealed that the following 15 roads and bridges have reportedly flooded in Centurion:

1. Bridge at Campbell Road, Sexby and Wierda Road
2. Left turn into Slip Street onto Ruimte from R101
3. Gravel at the Intersection of R101 and Sinxby
4. Hennops Bridge on Blackwood Road
5. End and Rabi bridge
6. End and Witstinkhouk
7. R101 and Hendrik Verwoerd partly Flooded with Gravel
8. Roothuiskraal and Reddersburg Rond
9. Rosihuiskraal Road and Louise Rond
10. Theuns van Niekerk and Nicator
11. R101 and Escourt
12. Erasmus Road (Between Lulu & Ruimte
13. Rooihuiskraal Rd at Uitsig High School, was flooded, but still a lot of water on the road
14. Luton & Nellmapius in Highveld
15. Hain & Nelimapius, Iran

Joburg and Tshwane residents urged to be cautious

Tshwane EMS spokesperson Charles Mabaso urged motorists to avoid submerged bridges and flooded roads. “We also call residents where we have placed barriers or where our community policing forum members and law enforcement agencies have placed barriers not to open and cross the road,” he told SABC News.

“Be mindful of the driving speed that you are using. And ensure your lights are on so that you are visible to other road users.”

City of Joburg EMS urged residents of low-lying areas to be cautious as heavy rains persist. Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said motorists should exercise caution, observe an extended safe following distance, and avoid crossing flooded roads and bridges.

It is estimated that as many as half of the deaths which occur during floods in SA are those of people trapped in cars in rising waters.

A worrying proportion of those deaths could be avoided by better drive training and awareness. Fast flowing water can be deadly, even to the biggest and most capable offroad vehicles because ultimately, the contact patch of each tyre with the road surface is barely bigger than a hand print.

Experienced 4×4 instructors warn against trying to cross any river where there is fast flowing water and that, even when water appears calm, the driver or a “spotter” should first wade through it to judge conditions.

Tips for driving in rain and flood conditions:

The Automobile Association of SA (AA) has this to say about driving in rain and flood conditions:

• Turn your headlights on. Use fog lights if you like, but switch them off when visibility improves.
• Leave twice as much space between you and the car in front – it takes longer to stop in the wet.
• If your steering feels light due to aquaplaning, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.
• If you break down, don’t prop the bonnet open while you wait. Rain-soaked electrics can make it harder to start the engine.
• Don’t drive into flood water that’s moving or is more than 10cm deep. Let approaching cars pass first.
• Drive slowly and steadily so you don’t make a bow wave.
• Test your brakes as soon as you can afterwards.
• If you get stuck in flood water, it’s best to wait in the car and call for help rather than try to get out.

ALSO READ: Joburg EMS on high alert amid heavy downpours and flooding

Additional reporting by:  Faizel Patel.