Johannesburg – The City of Tshwane is warning Gauteng residents that it has received a warning from the South African Weather Service of anticipated severe thunderstorms with strong winds, hail and heavy downpours over Gauteng.
These storms are expected to start on Monday and last until Thursday.
Gauteng residents in several parts of the province began experiencing winds more typical of August on Sunday.
In addition, there were unseasonal rainstorms and dark black clouds, prompting some to speculate that it may snow.
Johannesburg is not known for snow, and any such experience – like the one a few years ago – tends to see office workers out in parking lots, trying to catch what Brits would term sleet.
However, Tshwane says it’s not all fun and games, and homeowners should take several precautions.
Among these are maintenance aspects such as repairing all roof leaks, cutting back trees from gutters, erecting lighting conductors and keeping emergency numbers at hand.
Precautions to be taken upon receiving warnings:
- Secure all loose objects outside the house or dwelling.
- Cover cars or park them in garages.
- Bring livestock and pets to shelter.
Disconnect all electrical appliances.
- Stop all swimming.
- Listen to the radio for the latest weather updates and information.
- Have an emergency kit with torches, batteries, candles and matches ready.
- Remember that if you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of the storm.
(A colloquial way to work out your distance is to count the time delay in seconds between lightning and thunder, which shows how far away in km the lightning is.)
Precautions when you are outdoors during a storm:
- Go inside a building if you can.
- Do not operate metal machinery or objects like bicycles and lawnmowers.
- Avoid hilltops and high areas.
- Avoid open spaces, like sports fields.
- Keep away from isolated tall trees.
- Holding an umbrella or fishing rod is particularly dangerous if you are in an open space.
- Do not drive during a severe storm – get a safe place to park, but not close to electrical power lines, trees, streams and rivers.
- Do not swim.
- Stay clear of metal structures like fences.
Precautions when you are indoors during a storm:
- Do not use electrical appliances.
- Avoid using the fixed-line telephone.
- Do not shower or bath.
- Do not touch metal objects like window and door burglar proofing when looking outside.
- Do not stand in front of windows.
- When living in a metal structure, avoid touching the walls and floors.
Precautions after a thunderstorm:
- Wait for 30 minutes after the last thunder was heard before attempting to go outside.
- Look out for fallen trees, branches and power lines, as well as flooded watercourses.
- Beware of slippery roads, especially after the first heavy rains after winter.
Actions to be taken when someone is struck by lightning:
- One can handle victims without fear of also being shocked.
- Ensure that victims receive medical attention immediately.
- Listen and feel for breathing.
- If no breathing can be detected, do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- Feel, listen and watch for heartbeat. If absent, perform CPR.
- Call for medical help.
IOL