Major flooding is being seen in Centurion with road users urged to avoid several roads. Image: Hennops Revival
SEVERE flooding in Centurion; AVOID these roads [photos]
SEVERE flooding has been reported in Centurion, and road users have been strongly urged to steer clear of these roads
Major flooding is being seen in Centurion with road users urged to avoid several roads. Image: Hennops Revival
The South African Weather Service has issued numerous weather warnings for today, 10 February, with further warnings of flooding in Gauteng.
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Major flooding in Centurion
Flooding has affected several roads in Centurion, causing residents to be advised against crossing any low water bridges.
Reports of sinkholes, potholes, and flooding have surfaced.
Some vehicles and people are reportedly trapped in the floods.
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Road users are strongly urged to steer clear of these flooded roads:
- Nellmapius Bridge
- Rabie Bridge
- End Street
- Witstinkhout Bridge
- Blackwood Bridge
- Lyttleton Road Bridge
- Crossings the Hennops are flooded
- Sinkhole in Irene on Main Road is growing
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Safety while driving in rain
Arrive Alive has issued some tips when driving in severe weather.
- To keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you, increase the three-second rule to five-six seconds.
- Slow down if it is raining and the roads are wet. Remove your foot from the accelerator and gradually reduce your speed.
- Never apply the brakes abruptly as this may cause the car to skid.
- Slow down and be prepared to move to the left shoulder if an oncoming vehicle is overtaking from the opposite direction and will not be able to do so safely.
- Only move towards the shoulder if you can see 150m ahead of you clearly. Keep in mind that pedestrians may be walking on the shoulder to avoid mud on the road’s surface.
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- Be cautious of oil patches. Do not slam on the brakes; instead, steer through. Patches will be small in most cases.
- Before taking a bend, especially a sharp bend, always shift into a lower gear. As you approach the bend, your speed should be at its slowest, and both hands should be on the steering wheel. When driving around a bend, this slow in/fast out technique gives you the most control.
- Double your normal following distance from 3 seconds to 6 seconds to increase your space cushion.
- Switch on your headlights.
- Other vehicles in the rear and in blind spots should be avoided because they are difficult to see through rain-splattered windows.
