2012-12-10: Exercise caution during thunderstorms
The City urges its residents, both young and old to regularly take note of weather reports which will help them to make better decisions regarding their personal safety as the City experiences higher than normal rainfall.
This is particularly important for motorists because they can then avoid roads and bridges that are prone to flooding. The City traditionally receives heavy rains and thunderstorms with lightning activity from September to April each year. Sometimes this is accompanied by heavy hail fall that further increases the possibility of various kinds of incidents.
Joburg Emergency Services advises the following:
• If caught in the open during a thunderstorm, immediately seek shelter in a building.
• Avoid hilltops and do not shelter under lone trees or isolated sheds.
• Trees are relatively safe, but stay away from tree trunks and branches.
• Keep a reasonably safe distance from metal fences, telephone or power lines and steel structures such as pylons and windmills.
• Do not touch metal fences during a storm as these can be lethal.
• Spend less of your time outdoors, especially when it is overcast.
• If you live in a thatched building, make sure that a lightning conductor is erected close to the building.
• Stay indoors during a thunderstorm and if you are traveling, remain in the vehicle or caravan. • When on any type of open vehicle, tractor, bicycle or motorbike, seek shelter and maintain a low profile until the storm is over.
• When indoors, stay away from windows, do not hold any metal object or use any electrical appliances where possible. Preferably unplug all electrical appliances if possible.
• Do not use the telephone.
• Do not take a bath or shower during a thunderstorm.
Johannesburg remains critically aware of the impact of disasters and is committed to maintaining a vigilant state of disaster preparedness through research, adequate resources, training and response via an excellent and effective Level 1 disaster management plan.
The Joburg 2040 Strategy states that although Johannesburg has largely remained exempt from natural disasters, it will face increasing changes to weather patterns in the future. In line with becoming a resilient and sustainable City, it is developing the capability to generate a Level 2 disaster risk management plan.
Safety is our responsibility and the number to call is 10177 for any emergency.
Issued on behalf of Councillor Sello Lemao
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety
By
Virgil James
City of Johannesburg
(011) 407 7226 082 467 9415
virgilj@joburg.org.za"> virgilj@joburg.org.za
