HIDDEN VULNERABILITY TO RISING WATERS

By: Mike Myers | CEO of Mobi Ventures

WHEN THE WATER RISES, ARE KZN BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES REALLY PREPARED FOR A FLOOD?

KwaZulu Natal is no stranger to rain.

For most of us, heavy rain means traffic, wet roads, a leaking roof or perhaps a power failure. But for those of us who have worked on the frontline of emergency response, we know there is a point where heavy rain stops being an inconvenience and becomes a serious threat to life. That point can arrive incredibly quickly.

Over the years, the Mobi Claw911 team has been involved in countless incidents during periods of severe weather. We have seen water tables rise, homes swept away, roads becoming impassable, vehicles trapped, businesses affected and communities suddenly cut off.

The devastating floods that struck KwaZulu-Natal in 2022 remain a stark reminder of what can happen in just a few hours when extreme rainfall combines with vulnerable infrastructure and saturated ground. Hundreds of people lost their lives and enormous damage was done to homes, businesses, roads and critical infrastructure.

But perhaps the biggest lesson from those events is this:

• You can’t start preparing for a flood when the water is already at your front door.

• You may feel perfectly dry and safe in your home or business, but what is happening outside your door could have the most devastating effect on your life, your loved ones and your colleagues.

• Floodwater hides potholes, open drains, washed-away sections of road, collapsed shoulders, damaged bridges and electrical hazards. What looks like a shallow crossing can conceal a much deeper current.

We cannot stress this enough: Do not drive during flooding, especially through flooded roads or bridges. Even relatively shallow moving water can sweep a person or vehicle away. One small mistake on the road and you can become a statistic.

Businesses need a flood plan too

For business owners and managers, flood preparedness should form part of your business continuity planning.

Ask yourself:

• What happens if employees cannot get to work?

• What happens if the roads around your premises are closed?

• Where are your electrical distribution boards and critical equipment?

• Are your computers, servers, stock and important documents stored above potential flood levels?

• Can your business continue operating if there is no electricity?

• Who has the authority to close the premises or send staff home?

• How will you communicate with employees if normal communication systems are disrupted?

• Do you have emergency contact details for your security company, emergency medical provider, landlord, insurer and local authorities?

• Have you identified the safest evacuation route from your premises? Remember, flooding can change that route in a heartbeat. Don’t leave evacuation until the last minute.

Don’t wait for the first water to enter the building before answering these questions. Proper preparation can potentially save a business days, weeks or even months of disruption.

At home, look up before you look out.

Before severe weather arrives, walk around your property.

Clear gutters and stormwater channels. Check that drains are not blocked. Secure loose outdoor furniture and other objects that could become dangerous in strong winds or fast-moving water.

Move valuable items, appliances and important documents away from areas where water could enter. If necessary, move them to another premises or put important documents in your vehicle in case you have to evacuate quickly.

If you live in a low-lying area or near a river, stream or drainage channel, know where the high ground is. Identify a nearby safe location and go there early. Don’t delay.

Roads can quickly become impassable during flooding, not only making your route impossible to use, but also preventing emergency services from getting to you.

Prioritise life over possessions: children, pets, medication and essential documents. During an evacuation, think life before possessions, we have seen people lose their lives trying to save personal possessions. It simply isn’t worth it.

Have a plan. Keep emergency supplies such as food, water and basic medical supplies. Keep important documents in waterproof storage or a Ziplock bag. Keep charged flashlights handy, make sure your cellphone is charged and, if possible, keep a power bank available.

Your biggest threat may be structural failure. If you see anything that suggests the structural integrity of your building has been damaged or compromised, evacuate immediately and do not return until it has been declared safe by a qualified professional.

Emergency services are stretched to capacity during these events. There is simply not enough manpower to attend to every incident immediately, and it can sometimes take many hours before help can reach you.

The most important message I can leave you with: Never underestimate floodwater.

Important tips:

• Never walk, swim or drive through moving floodwater. It can contain sewage, chemicals, debris and other contaminants and may conceal electrical hazards, including fallen power lines.

• Keep children away from streams, rivers and stormwater channels. They may look exciting to kids, but they can be extremely dangerous.

Don’t take unnecessary risks trying to take photographs or videos. It’s not worth your life.

What our years on the frontline have taught us

Mobi-Claw911 was built around a simple principle: when an emergency happens, people need to know what to do, who to call and, most importantly, listen to the professionals.

We have witnessed people lose their lives because they refused to listen or did not want to evacuate their family home, despite the obvious and critical threats they were facing.

Over the past decade, our teams have dealt with medical, criminal and fire emergencies across South Africa. That experience has reinforced what we already knew: during severe weather events, emergencies become significantly more complicated when multiple systems are affected at the same time. Suddenly, an incident that would normally be relatively straightforward can become a nightmare.

Our experience over the years has taught us, preparedness isn’t something reserved for disaster management professionals. Every individual needs to be prepared and have a plan.

This emergency plan belongs in every home and every business. Don’t wait for the warning to become an emergency.

We can’t control how much rain falls. We can’t control when a river breaks its banks or when a road is washed away. But we can be prepared for it.

Before the next major weather system arrives, take half an hour with your family or your management team and ask a simple question:

“What would we do if we were faced with rising water right now?”

If nobody knows the answer, then you’ve already identified a potential disaster waiting to happen, and this is your opportunity to fix it. Floods don’t give you time to think. Being prepared gives you options. Those options can make the difference between having a difficult day and it is becoming a disaster. Stay informed. Stay prepared. And stay safe.