KZN Floods: What to do if your home is flooded
KwaZulu-Natal is currently dealing with floods that have taken the lives of at least 20 people. Here is how you can respond if you find yourself a victim of floods.
Heavy rains continue to lash KwaZulu-Natal.
If you are in and around KwaZulu-Natal, then it is important to know how to respond in case the floods enter into your home or the place where you are.
Below are tips to help you deal with floods:
- Get yourself to safety/find a safer shelter. If you happen to be outside your home, do not enter when there is risk of collapse.
- Wear clothes that will protect you and protect your skin. Floodwater can contain mud, chemicals, and sewage. So, protect yourself by wearing chemical-resistant outer clothing, or long pants, long sleeves, boots, eye goggles, and rubber/plastic gloves.
- Electricity and water do not mix, so turn off the main switch. However, it is important that you do not use any part of your body to hold the meter box lid open to avoid electric shock.
READ: Bodies of grandmother, children recovered in Tongaat
- Turn off the natural gas.
- Depending on the level of the water, do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
- Whenever possible, stay off bridges that cross fast-moving water.
- If possible, move to higher ground or a higher floor.
- Take pictures of everything and call your insurance company.
READ: [PICS] KZN floods: Glenwood resident recounts tree smashing through home
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