An 85-year-old woman had to be rescued last night after her car was swept away during flash floods in Boksburg on the East Rand.
Heavy rains caused several roads to flood in the area, resulting in major traffic snarl-ups and temporary road closures.
Delays of up to two hours were reported on the off-ramps from the R24 and N12 highways and on the road between Boksburg and the Ramaphosa informal settlement.
The elderly woman was rescued from her car after it was washed away by strong currents on Trichardt road in Boksburg.
ER24 paramedics managed to help her out of her car and to safety.
The woman, driving a Mazda, had reportedly attempted to follow a bakkie across the water-logged road, but both vehicles were swept away and came to a standstill against nearby trees.
The man in the bakkie was not injured, while the elderly woman was treated for mild hypothermia.
A Boksburg police officer said flooding tended to occur in the area during heavy rainfall because of a lack of efficient drainage.
“The roads flood when it rains because the water has nowhere to go.”
The affected roads were re-opened late last night as the water levels subsided.
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