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The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is currently attending to flooded urban and residential roads as well as low-lying areas following this week’s heavy rains. Residents and motorists are urged to avoid the affected areas while emergency works are carried out and until the water has subsided. The affected routes include:

 Smith Street, 17th and Solomon Streets, Pageview.

 Selati and Sand Streets, Riverlea.

 Waaihoek Street, Claremont,

 Marcia Street, Bruma.

 M2 West, Selby on-ramp.

In the recent weeks, the JRA has undertaken proactive maintenance of stormwater drains, low-lying areas and embankments in preparation for the rainy season. However, due to the varying types of floods (urban floods, rapid-onset floods, flash flood, etc) as a result of the torrential rains, our regional standby teams will continue monitoring and responding to flooded areas.

The JRA urges motorists and residents to take the following safety precautions during this rainy season:

Vehicle drivers

1. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas, even if the water looks shallow enough to cross;

2. If you are driving and have come to a flooded area, turn around and go the other way. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to drive through flooded roadways.

3. If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground;

4. Never drive into water that covers the road -you do not know how deep it is or whether the road underneath has been washed away! Reduce speed significantly to avoid vehicle floating.

5. Look out for flooding on highway dips and bridges, especially low lying bridges;

6. Exercise caution, especially at night when visibility is poor.

Pedestrians

7. If a flash flood is likely, move to higher ground immediately and stay there. Avoid walking through any flood waters. You cannot outrun a flash flood!

8. Keep away from places that are likely to flood, such as ditches or dry stream beds;

9. Avoid areas that are flooded;

10. Avoid areas where water is flowing rapidly - especially high velocity flow areas;

11. Never attempt to run across flooding water if the water level is above your ankles;

12. Do not walk into or near high water;

13. Keep children away from playing in drainage ditches and storm water drains.

It's important to be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, in a densely populated area, near water or downstream from a dam. In the event of a flash flood, or where residents are at risk, it is advisable to immediately evacuate the area and seek a place of safety.

Residents are reminded to refrain from dumping litter into the storm water system and drains, thereby helping the JRA to keep the storm water areas clear. Water cannot flow away freely when drains are blocked. Kindly report blocked stormwater drains, all flash floods related incidents and anything that may aggravate flooding to the to the JMPD or SAPS, or the City of Johannesburg’s call centre number: 0860JOBURG (562874)

Issued by Johannesburg Roads Agency