With parts of South Africa being ravaged by heavy rains and floods, leading to loss of life and significant damage to properties and vehicles, Auto & General Insurance is urging South Africans to be vigilant and adopt a proactive mindset to avoid disaster.
If you notice that there's insufficient drainage, or a possible safety hazard due to cracking structures and roads, landslides, rock falls, etc, in a public area, alert the authorities immediately; Heavy rains are often associated with lightning. The power surge of a lightning strike can easily overload most appliances and devices. It's best to unplug these before the storm arrives;If you are caught in a heavy storm and you feel it's not safe to drive, look for cover, pull over and/or seek shelter. This could include a covered car park, a petrol station or under a bridge.
Flash flooding often occurs when rivers flow over low-lying bridges. Avoid crossing bridges or roads next to rivers during heavy rains. If you do get stuck on a flooded road, it’s best to switch to the lowest possible gear and proceed slowly;