ACTING City Engineer, Lloyd Alleyne has indicated that the City Council is working along with the Ministry of Public Works and the other relevant authorities to assist in the event of a high tide and overtopping in the Georgetown area.

At a press conference yesterday at City Hall, Georgetown, Alleyne said that city council workers were put on guard to give whatever assistance and support they can. This follows the warning by the Public Works Ministry to the general public urging them to take all necessary precautions during the spring tide period of May 22 – 30, 2013, as high tides have been predicted to be above normal levels.
Additionally, he said the workers will be on standby to render assistance at anytime the ministry may need them.
Sandbags have been placed as a precautionary measure from Kingston to Ogle, in light of the recent overtopping that caused flooding in some city areas.
High tide of 3.11 metres overwhelmed the sea defence between Liliendaal and Vlissengen Road, resulting in the flooding of the northern carriageway on that section.
The inundation of the roadways and the resultant flooding of the adjacent areas were attributed to the inability of the water to run off the land because of clogged drains, a direct result of the wanton dumping of garbage during the regular seawall ‘liming’ activities. The Public Works Ministry has since banned that event from that vicinity.
Alleyne said that in addition to the indicated areas, persons living along the banks of rivers and low lying coastal areas are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flooding.
Precautions should also be taken by all mariners, including those operating fishing vessels. Moreover, it is not advisable to use the beach and foreshore for recreational activities during this period.