Apart from sharing the warnings on social media, what should you do when a severe storm is heading your way?
Be prepared and minimise damage by following these steps:
– Check your weather updates. If you are told to evacuate your home, do so – especially if your house has flooded before.
– If there’s enough time, collect important documents such as birth certificates and insurance documents and keep them with you in a waterproof container.
– Disconnect all electrical devices.
– Move all essential items in your house to higher ground. Lift electric and wooden items off the ground, as they are the most easily damaged when they get wet.
– Park your vehicles in the garage. Don’t park near water bodies or storm drainage pipes.
– Secure everything that could become flying objects, like garbage cans, lawn furniture and garden ornaments.
– Remove hanging baskets and potted plants from exposed decks and patios. If they are too big to be moved indoors, cluster them together in a protected area. Lay large potted trees on their side in a sheltered location and strap them down.
– Remove dead, rotting or damaged tree branches.
– Stake small trees and shrubs to provide support in high winds. Put sandbags or large bags of garden soil around vulnerable garden beds.
– If there is enough time, clean your house’s gutters, drains and down pipes, and make sure the roof is in good repair.
– Once the storm is about to hit, close all the windows in your house.
– If you can hear thunder, go indoors and stay there for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap. Keep away from windows and doors.
– Avoid using electrical equipment and telephones. Never take a bath, shower or use plumbing during a thunderstorm.
– If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, stay away from tall objects, such as trees, poles, wires and fences. Take shelter in a low-lying area.
– Avoid walking through floodwaters – even knee deep water can sweep you off your feet.
– Never try to drive through a flooded area.
– Don’t venture outside until the storm is over. And once you do, beware of damaged tree branches overhead.
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