We have all experienced those days when Mother Nature was in a bad mood, and threw everything she has at us – including big hail stones, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
Read more: Hail devastation leaves several roads closed
Even though warnings are usually issued before a huge storm strikes, affording us time to plan and prepare, Mother Nature does remain unpredictable, resulting in a rain or hail storm happening suddenly.
Here are some tips to ensure you stay safe when this happens:
• When hail is forecast, try to make arrangements to park your car undercover and delay travelling until the storm has subsided.
• If you are caught in a hail storm do not risk your safety or the safety of others by dashing wildly for cover – take extreme care when pulling over and put on your vehicle’s hazard lights. Safe places to take cover from the storm, include a covered car park, a petrol station or under a bridge.
• Avoid parking your vehicle under trees, as there is a danger of falling branches and debris.
• Do not get out of your vehicle. Only leave your sheltered spot after the storm has passed.
• When you are caught in a hail storm, and there is no shelter nearby, you should pull over to the side of the road if it is safe to do so. Even though hail damage is inevitable in an unsheltered spot, it is safer not to drive through a storm when visibility is poor, the roads are slick and there is a risk of aquaplaning through deep pools of water and hail.
• Stay away from car windows. Cover your eyes with something, like a piece of clothing. If possible, get onto the floor facedown or lie down on the seat with your back to the windows.Put very small children under you and cover their eyes.
• Keep a couple of heavy blankets in your car, as they will provide you with a protective covering you can throw over the bonnet of your vehicle to prevent hail damage.
• Always memorise emergency numbers.
• Avoid low-lying areas. Move to higher ground if you find yourself caught in a flash flood.
• Do not walk or drive through flash floods.
• If you find yourself in the middle of a flash flood, open the vehicle windows and escape! Abandon your vehicle immediately.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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