Cape Town: As the rain continues to pour down, the City of Cape Town officials urged the residents to report about the flooding to the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) on 107 from a landline on their cell-phone or should connect through official website.
The guidelines released mentions about Severe storm and flooding, when storm becomes disaster, flood risk, types of floods, emergency plans and many more.
Severe Storms and Flooding
City of Cape Town noted that nobody can stop a flood, but if you are facing the one, there are actions one can take to protect their family and reduce the damage done to their property and belongings.
When Storms Become Disasters
Severe storms produce a lot of rain, as rivers can burst their banks and flooding can occur across large areas of the city, by damaging property and risking the health and lives of ordinary people. The severe storms are linked to cold front and low-pressure systems, that are moving from west to east.
The severe storms are occurring mainly during the winter months in the south-western Cape. Winds in Cape Town can get up to 100 kph or higher and can cause a lot of damage to the city, as roofs can be blown off and the trees are uprooted. Hail is also a threat and can cause major damage too. The most important thing is to make sure that your family is safe.
Know Your Flood Risk
Residents have been asked to make sure that you know if you live in a potential flood zone. Your community officials or Disaster Risk Management Centre are your best resources to learn about the history of flooding for your region.
You have full right to ask whether your property is on the floodplain and if it is above or below the flood stage water level. Such as, if you live near a river or stream, it is possible that you are in a flash-flood zone. Low-lying ground as the Cape Flats area is a possible water-table flooding zone.
There are different types of flooding in the Cape Town municipal area which is complex, because of the different types of flooding that can happen and the various ways they are linked with. The kind of floods include Stormwater flooding or surface run-off, Water table or seepage flooding, River (riverine and estuarine), Flash floods, Coastal or Marine flooding, Ponding and Leaking.
The guidelines by the City of Cape Town’s Public Emergency Communication Centre also consisted of educating your family, Preparing a family emergency plan, Plan and practise an evacuation route, Develop an emergency communication plan, Disaster supplies, etc.