Heavy Rain and/or Flooding Conditions

When driving:

• General maintenance: Regularly check that your windscreen wiper blades are fully functional for unexpected wet conditions. If both the front and back blades are not up to scratch, get them replaced.
• Check that your tyres are of the recommended legal tyre tread depth, so you can be sure you have a safe amount of grip on the roads. Stopping distances will be at least double in wet weather, because your tyres will have less grip on the road.
• If at all possible, try to avoid travelling during heavy rain or a storm, when visibility is poor, roads are slippery and conditions are hazardous.
• Also be aware of the safety of the more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and bikers, when having to travel on the road in heavy rains.
• If your journey is essential and you have to travel during wet conditions, motorists are then advised to drive with extreme caution, switch on their (low-beam) head lights, reduce speed considerably and enlarge following distance to account for greater stopping distances. Remember the "Three-second Rule"? Well its best to increase it to six – if it begins to pour.
• Driving too fast through standing water, could lead to tyres losing contact with the road, where your steering suddenly feels light as if you could be aquaplaning (or hydroplaning). To regain grip, ease off the accelerator, do not brake and allow your speed to reduce until you gain full control of the steering again.
• Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas, as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
• Take into account that delays might occur – if you have an appointment that can't be postponed, then depart to your destination much earlier to allow for slower speeds and potential congestion.
• Try to fill up with fuel before you travel, as getting stuck in traffic will increase your fuel consumption – Remember, with the lights, heater and wipers switched on, your fuel economy will be reduced even further.
• Look out for large or fast-moving vehicles creating spray, which reduces visibility even more.
• Also remember to keep your air conditioning on, as this will stop your windows from misting up.
• If you’re on the road and visibility is too poor, or the road is too slippery, rather pull over and switch on your car’s hazards until visibility or traction improves.
• Try to make arrangements to park your car undercover and delay travelling until the heavy rain or storm has subsided;
• If you are caught in heavy rain or storm, look for cover. This could include a covered car park, a petrol station or under a bridge. However, take extreme care when pulling-over, put on your hazard lights, and don’t risk your safety, or the safety of others, by dashing madly for cover;
• Don’t park under trees, as there is a danger of falling branches and debris. Stay in your car and only leave the safety of your sheltered spot when the heavy rain or storm has passed;

At home:

• General and regular home maintenance, should include removing of any dead and rotting branches from trees, to avoid the risk of falling debris during heavy rain or a severe storm. Also ensure that debris is regularly removed from roofs and gutters, in order to limit damages.
• Make sure that your outdoor furniture is safely stored, or firmly secured.
• The power surge of a lightning strike can easily overload most appliances and devices (eg. TV, Data- and/or Internet lines). It’s best to unplug these before heavy rain or a storm arrives.

When driving:

• Motorists should not attempt to drive in flood conditions. Remember that just 15cm of moving water, can knock you off your feet. However, water just 60cm deep can sweep a vehicle away. Generally, if the water is deeper than the bottom of your doors or the bottom third of your wheels, it is NOT advisable to drive through it.
• Flash flooding often occurs when rivers flow over low-lying bridges.
• Avoid crossing bridges or roads next to rivers during heavy rains.
• The driver should be able to respond swiftly to any emergency situations.
• If you do get stuck on a flooded road or approach a flooding storm water drain, it is advisable to take your foot off the accelerator and switch to the lowest possible gear (second is generally adequate), keep engine revs up and proceed slowly – this will help you maintain momentum when you travel through puddles of water.
• Never use the brakes suddenly or too sharply, because this may cause the car to skid or aqua/hydroplane.
• If trapped in a vehicle during flooding, rather abandon the vehicle and climb to higher ground. It is dangerous to try and drive out of the water to safety.
• If your engine cuts out after driving through deep water, do not attempt to restart it, as engine damage may occur – instead, turn on the hazard lights, call for assistance and have the vehicle professionally examined. Catastrophic flood-related engine damage is typically caused by water being sucked into the engine, which causes the engine to lock up (mechanics call it an ‘air lock’) and can in turn damage important engine components such as piston connecting rods and valves.

At home:

• Be prepared! Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don't forget to include needed medications.
• It takes only 15cm of fast-moving water to sweep a person off their feet – don’t walk through a flooded area!
• It is sensible to purchase your own supply of sandbags which can be placed against doorways and low level vents in times of flooding, to help minimise the amount of water that enters your home. Also move high value items to the highest possible floor or shelf, if a flood threatens.
• General and regular home maintenance, like clearing debris from gutters, is essential and will most definitely limit damages and discomfort in times of disaster.
• Turn off gas and electricity if flooding occurs.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.