Battening down the hatches for storm season

Nthabiseng Moloi, Head of Marketing & Brand at MiWay.

Winter is slowly making its departure from South African borders, bringing with it soaring temperatures and those all too familiar seasonal thunderstorms. And while many will welcome these thunderous downpours with open arms, the reality is that these storms - which can be especially violent over the Highveld - can leave significant damage in their wake.

Hail is a particularly notorious problem at this time of year, with 2013’s especially stormy spring having caused damage resulting in insurance pay-outs of over R2 billion in Gauteng alone. Flash flooding can also be extremely dangerous, mainly for drivers caught on suddenly slippery roads.

So, with stormy weather moving in fast, how can you prepare yourself to face the onslaught? Sadly, Mother Nature’s mood swings can sometimes leave us at her mercy, but by understanding your options when it comes to insurance and being as prepared as possible for the imminent torrent, you can minimise risks, costs and damage this season.

Here are a few key tips to bear in mind:

Keep an eye on the weather

While weather patterns can be unpredictable, large storms can generally be seen coming, so it’s in your interests to keep a close eye on your weather apps to ensure you’re adequately prepared for any approaching storm systems. In the event of stormy weather, make sure to move your car to an undercover spot, and ensure all doors and windows are properly shut and sealed to avoid any water damage.

Avoid the roads

Our greatest weapon in bad weather is foresight, so if you’re aware of an approaching storm, it’s in your best interests to stay off the roads, if at all possible. Should you be unable to reschedule that all-important meeting, make sure to keep a safe following distance and check your tyres before setting off to ensure they’re not overly worn. Make sure to avoid any stretches of deep water or flooded roads, as these can often be deeper than they first appear and can cause significant damage to your car and can also be life threatening.

Be prepared

Flash flooding can be extremely treacherous and has resulted in significant damage for motorists over the past couple of years, with rising waters bringing parts of Johannesburg to a standstill. And while you might think your sturdy SUV is invulnerable to the threat of water, think again. It takes only 60cm of moving water to lift a vehicle and sweep it away, with tyres essentially acting as flotation devices. Should you find yourself in this situation, it’s important not to panic, and to immediately unbuckle your seatbelt so as to allow freedom of movement. If you can’t exit the vehicle immediately because your windows and doors won’t open, let the car fill with water before trying again. This might seem counter-intuitive, but by equalising the pressure inside, you’ll be better able to release your door. It’s best to try doors facing away from the water flow, as this will result in less external pressure, and less likelihood of an obstacle blocking your escape route. If the door does not open and the window does not turn down you might have to break the window. This may not be easy because car windows are made of tempered glass. Perhaps it’s an idea to keep a window shattering tool, like an old spark plug, in your cubby hole to help you break a window if needed.

Understand your insurance

Don’t wait until the bad weather has done its worst to establish whether you and your possessions are covered against storm damage. Make sure to speak to your insurance company and go over the terms of your cover prior to this year’s storm season, ensuring you have appropriate insurance in the event of damage to property, cars or other valuables. At least that way, you’ll be able to enjoy peace of mind when those sunny skies start to darken.