Blog

Spring brings warmer days, but it can also bring severe weather. Across the interior and eastern regions, thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and lightning can develop quickly. The south-western Cape has a different rainfall pattern, but late cold fronts, damaging winds, and localised flooding may still occur.

Storm damage cannot always be prevented. However, a few simple checks can protect your family and reduce damage to your home.

Follow Weather Warnings

Check official weather warnings before leaving for work, sending children to school, or travelling long distances. Yellow, orange, and red warnings should never be ignored.

Charge your phone and power bank when severe weather is expected. Download and register on the free iER app before an emergency occurs. Check that your details are correct, and learn how to send an emergency alert so that you are not trying to work it out during a crisis.

Check Your Roof, Gutters, and Drains

Loose roof tiles, damaged roof sheets, and blocked gutters can allow water into the home. Inspect the roof from the ground, and arrange repairs before the spring and summer rains begin. Never climb onto a roof during wet or windy weather.

Remove leaves, sand, and rubbish from gutters, downpipes, and drains. Water should flow away from the house instead of collecting near doors and foundations.

Trim weak branches that could fall onto the roof, vehicles, or power lines. Branches near electrical cables should only be handled by trained professionals.

Report Stormwater Problems and Fallen Trees

The iER app includes a dedicated Infrastructure Reporting tool, giving users a quick and simple way to report infrastructure problems in and around their communities.

Blocked drains, flooding, and stormwater-system failures can be reported through the app. Reporting these problems early can help alert the relevant authorities to water-flow issues and possible flood risks.

Users can also report fallen trees or large branches blocking roads, pavements, and public spaces. Do not try to move a large tree, especially if it has fallen near electrical cables. Keep a safe distance, and report the exact location.

iER response agents use the information provided to log or escalate the matter to the relevant municipal department or public service channel on a best-efforts basis. Infrastructure Reporting is intended for community faults. If someone is injured or lives are in immediate danger, use an iER emergency alert instead.

Secure Anything That Could Blow Away

Strong winds can turn outdoor furniture, rubbish bins, tools, trampolines, and children’s toys into dangerous flying objects. Bring loose items indoors, or tie them down before the storm arrives.

Park vehicles under sturdy cover where possible, but not beneath trees, unstable walls, or power lines. Bring pets inside, or place them in a secure, covered area, as thunder may frighten them and cause them to run away.

Prepare for Power Cuts

Keep torches, batteries, and a charged power bank where everyone can find them. Candles can start fires if they fall over, so battery-powered lights are safer.

Prepare a basic emergency kit containing:

• Drinking water and food that does not need cooking.
• Essential medicine and first-aid supplies.
• Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag.
• Baby supplies and pet food, where needed.
• Emergency contact numbers written on paper.

Unplug sensitive appliances before a severe storm reaches your area. If water enters the home, keep away from electrical switches and appliances. Only switch off the main electricity supply if you can reach it safely without standing in water.

Stay Indoors During Lightning

The safest place during lightning is inside a solid building or fully enclosed vehicle with a metal roof. Stay away from windows, plugged-in appliances, taps, and water.

Do not shelter beneath an isolated tree, against a metal fence, or inside an open structure. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before returning outdoors. Lightning can still strike after the rain appears to have stopped.

Never Enter Floodwater

Floodwater may be deeper and faster than it looks. It can hide open drains, sharp objects, and damaged sections of road. Low-lying homes and informal settlements may be especially vulnerable when drains overflow or water rises suddenly.

Never walk or drive through a flooded road, bridge, or river crossing. Turn around and find another route. If authorities tell you to evacuate, leave early, and move to higher ground before escape routes are cut off.

Keep children away from stormwater channels, rivers, and flooded streets.

Know How to Get Help

Choose a safe room away from large windows, and make sure every family member knows where to meet. Teach children how to contact a trusted adult if the family becomes separated.

During a medical, fire, rescue, or other life-threatening emergency, use the free iER app to request help. When mobile data and location services are enabled, an alert shares the user’s GPS position with iER’s 24/7 control centre. The team can assess the situation and help arrange an appropriate response through its nationwide network of service providers.

The iER response centre can also be contacted on 0861 10 60 80.

Conclusion

Storm safety starts long before the first thunderclap. Follow weather warnings, maintain your home, secure loose objects, avoid floodwater, and make sure your family knows what to do.

The free iER app provides an important extra layer of protection by giving users access to 24/7 emergency assistance and a simple way to report blocked drains, stormwater failures, flooding, fallen trees, and other infrastructure problems.