The Cape braces itself for the mother of all storms

By Mikhaila Crowie
30 August 2008

Emergency services are on high alert as heavy rainstorms lash the Mother City.

The first cold front moved in last night, bringing along gale force winds with the speed of 85 km per hour and persistent rainfall.

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management is closely monitoring the weather after a warning was issued by the South African Weather Services.

The Disaster Risk Management Centre is urging citizens to be cautious. These are the steps individuals should follow to protect their families, against adverse weather conditions:

1. Learn to be aware of severe weather warning signs
2. Develop an emergency supply kit. Include basics such as water and non-perishable food.
3. Flashlights, a blanket, a first aid kit and medicines.
4. Have access to a battery-operated radio to tune-in into for regular updates of news bulletins

Residents can reduce their vulnerability to flooding by implementing the following tips:

1. Check that the drainage system on your property is not blocked
2. Raise the floor level of your house to be higher than the land outside
3. Move to higher ground if you stay in a flood-prone area
4. Dig furrows around the house to divert water away from the home
5. Report any blocked drains, intakes and illegal dumping
6. Waterproof roofs
7. Clear gutters, down-pipes and furrows
8. Remove dead branches from trees
9. Secure furniture that can be blown over or damaged by the wind.