Ministry: Avoid driving through flood areas

The National Security Ministry has cautioned citizens not to drive through flooded areas.

In a release on Tuesday, the ministry called on citizens to be vigilant and pay attention to river levels in areas especially those already impacted by floods. The ministry quoted a Met Service bulletin advising of inclement weather from this morning.

The ministry advised that all necessary measures should be taken to preserve life and property from adverse weather conditions and provided the tips: construct flood barriers where necessary to prevent flood waters from entering buildings and homes; develop a family emergency plan; secure pets and livestock on higher ground; secure all important documents such as birth certificates, national identification, passports, et cetera in waterproof bags or sealed containers; secure valuables and park vehicles in places that will not become flooded; stay calm and listen to the radio or television for updated information from the Met Service and Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management; move to upper levels of buildings or houses if the lower levels are threatened by flood water; turn off utilities such as electricity, gas and water at the main switches and do not touch electrical equipment if you are standing in water or are wet as water is a conductor of electricity.

The ministry also advised citizens to avoid driving through flood waters though if no alternate route exists with no other reasonable option but to drive through flood waters, drivers are asked to follow the guidelines released by the Police Service.

The ministry also reiterated that the Mafeking Community Centre (800-4672) and the Woodland Government Primary School (800-7372) are currently available as shelters for the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation and the Penal Debe Regional Corporation respectively.

Impacted citizens were asked to contact their regional corporation through the designated Disaster Management Unit’s (DMU) toll-free hotlines and DMU officials will advise on the shelters which are open in your area. The ministry also asked citizens to look out for updates from the Works Ministry and the Police Service for advisories on traffic diversions, updates on impassable routes, major roadworks and instructions to delay travel.