Heavy downpours tonight could lead to road flooding, warns SA Weather Service
JOBURG – Thunderstorms have hit Joburg this evening.
A line of thunderstorms has made its way to Gauteng, with rain plummeting down in Joburg this evening, 21 October.
The SA Weather Service tweeted a satellite image of the line of thunderstorms moving over the eastern North West province, eastern Free State, southern Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu-Natal and into Gauteng.
The SA Weather Service has warned that the heavy downpours could lead to the flooding of roads in the City of Joburg, as well as in the West Rand and Ekurhuleni. Heavy downpours and strong winds are expected in Midrand.
Warning:21 Oct TO 21h00 Severe TS- heavy down pours, strong winds expected over S Tshwane (Pretoria, Centurion,Midrand)
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) October 21, 2017
Warning:21 Oct TO 22h00 Severe TS- obs with heavy down pours that could lead to road flooding over Westrand, City of Joburg, Ekurhuleni
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) October 21, 2017
Evening satellite image. Line of thunderstorms moving over eastern NW, eastern FS, southern MPU, northern KZN and into GAU. Good evening. pic.twitter.com/W67vXRzw3h
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) October 21, 2017
Many have taken to Twitter to share their videos and photos of the storms.
@SAWeatherServic heavy downpours around Mahikeng pic.twitter.com/htzRqiTyyK
— M.P Mosiane (@MOOKETSIMOSIANE) October 21, 2017
Secunda se wolke oppi oomblik…Weet nie wat om te verwag nie. Courtesy Carina Worth @SAWeatherServic @JoelGuy_ @eNCAWeather @_ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/4zcEZFcmGP
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) October 21, 2017
The storms come on the evening when the Orionid meteor shower is expected.
READ MORE: DON’T MISS: Orionid meteor shower set to light up night sky tonight
The SA Weather Service offers the following advice to residents:
The SA Weather Service tweeted these tips.Further, Standard Insurance Limited previously offered the following advice that may help to keep community members and their property safe during storms.
- Ensure electrical equipment is disconnected from sockets during storms to avoid electrical-surge damage
- Check that roofs do not have broken or loose tiles that will allow the entry of water
- Check your property for any loose material and tie down (or fill with water) all large, relatively light items, such as boats and rubbish bins
- Ensure that roof gutters are clean and unclogged, so water does not seep onto ceilings
- Keep house windows shut to prevent them being hit by hail or shattered by high winds.
If you’re driving, Standard Insurance Limited suggests the following:
- Ensure your vehicles’ fuel tanks are full
- Reduce speed and increase following distance to a three-car distance
- Turn headlights on so you can be seen by other motorists
- In need, pull off the road safely and activate your car’s hazard lights
- Don’t park under trees, as there is a risk of falling branches and debris
- Ensure windscreen wipers are in good condition, so they can cope with sudden downpours
- Never get out of your vehicle, because of possible injury from hailstones
- Don’t attempt to drive through water washing across the road, or across low-water bridges; it requires only about 15cm of rapidly moving water to wash away a car.
NOTE: Post your photos and videos of tonight’s storm on our Facebook page or in the comments section below
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