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Violent and gale-force winds<h2 class="sectHeading">Know your wind strengths</h2><p>If you are faced with violent winds at home, there are actions you can take before, during, and after to protect your family and reduce damage to your property and belongings. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact​</h4><p> South-easterly or southerly gale-force winds may blow for days in a row during the summer months. Dubbed the ‘Cape Doctor’ they usually blow on clear, hot and sunny days and are accompanied by the “table cloth” over Table Mountain and the Hottentots Holland Mountains, to the east of Cape Town. </p></div></div><p>Those living in low-cost housing or informal settlements are the most vulnerable. If you live in the Cape Flats area, you should be prepared for winter weather, especially if you live in a home that is not very stable. Please see our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/1718GD250_A4_DRM_Family_Disaster_preparedness_English_draft%201.pdf" target="_blank">Family Disaster Preparedness Guidelines</a> for help, tips and advice.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4> Don’t make outdoor fires in the wind, especially if you live close to nature or the mountain. Windy conditions mean that any runaway fires could easily become major blazes. </div></div><p>There are 12 different wind strengths which are measured according to what we call the Beaufort scale. Please see our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Know%20your%20wind%20strengths.pdf" target="_blank">Know your Wind Strengths Booklet</a> for information on the different wind strengths. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Prevent wind damage to your home</h2><p> Whether you live in a large home or a smaller informal dwelling, it is essential that you make sure you are prepared for any severe winds and weather. </p><p> <strong>Make your home stronger during storms and gale-force winds by following the tips below: </strong></p><ul><li>If your roof is not very strong or is made from built-up, aluminium or single-ply wood, strap it to the structure of the house with extra straps.</li><li>Trim trees and shrubs around your home to stop them from falling on it.</li><li>Consider protecting your windows and doors with covers or wind shutters.</li><li>Reinforce your garage doors.</li><li>Secure any metal siding and metal roofs.</li><li>Try to support gable-end roof framing.</li><li>Make sure you have insurance cover for possible storm damage.</li><li>If you are driving, watch out for fallen trees, branches and broken power lines along roadways.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Prepare a family emergency plan </h2><p>By drafting your own family emergency plan and identifying all your risks, you are in a much better position for any disaster. Complete our Family Emergency Plan, which you will find in the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/1718GD250_A4_DRM_Family_Disaster_preparedness_English_draft%201.pdf" target="_blank">Family Disaster Preparedness Guidelines</a>, for details on how to prepare.</p><p> <strong>Develop an emergency communication plan</strong><br>In case family members are separated from one another during a violent wind storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. </p><p> <b>We recommend the following: </b></p><ul><li>Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to serve as the "family contact”. After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance.</li><li>Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.</li><li>Teach all family members how and when to turn off the gas, electricity and water.</li><li>Teach children how and when to call emergency numbers (police, ambulance, fire and rescue services, electricity and water services), and which radio station to tune into for emergency information. See our list of <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Report/Report-an-emergency/Emergency-contact-numbers">emergency contact numbers</a>.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Disaster supplies</h2><p> Should you need to leave your home, or go to a shelter, be sure to have the following nearby to take with you: </p><ul><li>Torches and extra batteries</li><li>Portable, battery-operated radio (with extra batteries) tuned to a local station so you can follow emergency instructions</li><li>First aid kit and manual</li><li>Emergency food and bottled water</li><li>Non-electric can opener</li><li>Essential medicines</li><li>Cash and credit cards</li><li>Strong shoe</li><li>Cell phones</li><li>Dry clothing</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p> Usually, strong winds accompany strong storms – read more about how to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Safety-in-the-home/Natural-disasters-and-your-home/Severe-storms-and-flooding">handle storms and flooding</a> in Cape Town </p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">​Contact us</h2><p> Contact the Disaster Risk Management Centre for information and advice before, during and after a disaster.</p><h4>Disaster Risk Management Centre </h4> <em> </em> <p> <em> Telephone:</em><br><a><em>080 911 4357</em></a><br><br><em>Telephone (international callers):</em><br><em><a>+27 21 597 6000</a></em><br><br><em>Fax:</em><br><a><em>086 576 1776</em></a><br><br><em>Email:</em><br><a href="mailto:disasterrisk.managementcentre@capetown.gov.za"><em>disasterrisk.managementcentre@capetown.gov.za </em></a><br><br><em>For information and advice: </em> <br> <a> <em>086 576 1775</em></a></p>GP0|#60387189-27c1-4745-8d7e-29b556d85f64;L0|#060387189-27c1-4745-8d7e-29b556d85f64|Violent and gale force winds;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#e1eec47d-9c40-4859-a001-a519b50f3e4a;GPP|#df0a3405-0ca1-4617-8047-15a034219fee;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#7f0835dd-c37e-4f8f-af3d-0bb01ff02ae4;L0|#07f0835dd-c37e-4f8f-af3d-0bb01ff02ae4|Violent and gale force winds;GPP|#c6d118c1-4a38-4635-ae3d-bf9f7ef0f2a3;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752Protect your home and family from severe winds and gales

 

 

Be Prepared For Storms and Gale Force Winds Pamphlet1124715GP0|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033|Pamphlet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2014-02-28T22:00:00Z
Fire Danger Index Table19557GP0|#60ca7aa1-d15a-4fa6-8c24-2f6dec246fae;L0|#060ca7aa1-d15a-4fa6-8c24-2f6dec246fae|Chart;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0|#591e1d8b-7507-4dd3-8a9a-59b5cdd318c6;L0|#0591e1d8b-7507-4dd3-8a9a-59b5cdd318c6|Poster2015-12-31T22:00:00Z
Know your Wind Strengths Booklet 444771GP0|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a|Booklet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2015-12-31T22:00:00Z

 

 

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