Tips by the bucketful — how to protect your home and car from inclement weather

29 Sep 2024

Practical advice on how you can keep your possessions safe during storms.

As climate change continues to make its presence known, with a recent massive snowstorm in KwaZulu-Natal affecting hundreds of travellers who were stranded on one of the most notoriously dangerous stretches of the N3, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

The Western Cape government has estimated that the July storms in that province affected about 150,000 people and 47,000 homes.

This resulted in a significant increase in claims for short-term insurers, and the financial toll is expected to exceed R1-billion.

Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price Insurance, recommends the following steps to ensure you weather any storms with the least damage to your possessions.

Know when thunderstorms are on the way

Staying up to date with the latest weather forecast has never been easier: simply turn on your weather app notifications before planning a trip or a commute. “If you are old-school, your option is to stay tuned to the weather reports on the radio or TV. Then try to stay off the roads, if possible,” he says.

Park your car under cover

The simplest way to avoid hail damage is to park your car in your garage or under a carport with a hard roof.

Van Vuuren recommends using thick, padded blankets to protect your car if you don’t have access to covered parking.

Make sure your car window wipers are in good condition

Get your wipers checked before the rainy season starts, and use a water-repellent spray for your windscreen to make sure you are as visible as possible on the road.

Get ‘on top’ of your house

Check that your home’s roof is rain-ready. This means looking out for broken tiles or loose flashings, nails and screws, dirt or debris. Also, check that the waterproofing is secure and hasn’t started to crack or lift. However, actually getting on your roof could be dangerous, so it’s best to get a professional to do it. “If you live in a sectional title complex, chat to your body corporate or a trustee. Your roof is common property and it’s the complex’s responsibility to maintain it,” says Van Vuuren.

It’s all about the gutters

Make sure there are no leaves and debris stuck in your home’s gutters – or they will almost certainly overflow after the first proper rain, which could cause damage and rising damp in your walls, doors and windows. Also check that your downpipes aren’t clogged and that they channel rainwater well away from the house.

Marius Kemp, head of personal underwriting at Santam, says South Africans need to be vigilant in the event of severe weather. His tips include:

Driving through a downpour:

Reduce your driving speed in rainy conditions and increase your following distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Make sure your headlights are switched on. (Do not put them bright.)

Obey the rules of the road, especially any temporary signs or hazard warnings around flooding.

If you find yourself in deep water:

Stay calm and stay alert. Do not panic.

Avoid driving through sections of water where you are unable to see the road, as this could be dangerous.

Do not drive around or through barricades. They have been put there for your safety.

Should your vehicle be trapped by rising water, stop, get out of the car and move to safer or higher ground. Your safety and that of your passengers is more important than your vehicle.

If you are caught in a hailstorm:

If possible, use a GPS or Maps app to search for covered parking facilities nearby (such as a shopping mall).

Ensure your car is insured for the correct value and that your policy covers hail damage.

Protecting your home:

Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to prevent branch or debris damage to a home.

Secure outdoor furniture or move it under cover.

Ensure your home and household contents are insured for the correct replacement value. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.

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