Joburg warns of 267 flooding hotspots motorists must avoid this weekend – Most affected areas

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has published a list outlining the 267 flooding hotspots in the metro that motorists should be aware of, particularly over the next few days.

This follows substantial rainfall battering the Gauteng province in the past week and putting severe strain on the city’s stormwater infrastructure.

The number of hotspots per region is as follows:

Region A – 105 hotspots
Region B – 7 hotspots
Region C – 58 hotspots
Region D – 23 hotspots
Region E – 10 hotspots
Region F – 48 hotspots
Region G – 16 hotspots

“With the current heavy rains falling on the City’s road network, JRA teams are on the ground addressing the worst flood-affected areas to mitigate the impact on road users, residents, and properties,” said the agency.

“Regional standby teams are constantly monitoring and responding to any flooding emergencies, and the public is encouraged to contact the depot closest to them.”

It is important to remember that flooded roads should not be taken lightly as even a few millimetres of moving water can sweep away a car of any size.

To stay out of harm’s way, most vehicles should avoid attempting to cross a flooded street at all costs if the water is as deep as the car’s side sills. Bakkies and SUVs can handle a bit more depth than something like a sedan or hatchback as they are often built to wade through rivers, but it’s best to avoid taking chances.

Before going through a flooded area, carefully check for any debris or irregularities in the water that might pose a danger to a car, and find the best route to avoid these.

When entering the submerged road, it is recommended to ease into the water no faster than 3km/h as this reduces the chance of liquid splashing into the engine and damaging critical parts.

Once in the water, keep a slow and constant speed and maintain pressure on the accelerator pedal during the entire crossing procedure to avoid flooding the exhaust pipe.

Importantly, never stop in the middle of a flooded area unless there is absolutely no other option, as this makes it even easier for the car to be picked up and carried away.

Equally significant, only one vehicle should attempt a crossing at a time so that if it gets stuck, no one will be forced to stop behind it or find another way through.

After safe passage, pull over once again and check the vehicle’s engine bay and undercarriage for any irregularities or debris that might have gotten stuck before continuing with your journey.