The National Works Agency is advising that its preparations for the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season are in place and that it is now prepared for the passage of a hurricane or Tropical storm.
These preparations include meetings to discuss establishment of the Agency’s Emergency Operating Centre, the pre-positioning of equipment to be dispatched to flood prone areas and discussions with stakeholders regarding their roles and responsibilities in the event of the passage of a tropical storm or hurricane.
Manager of Communications and Customer Services at the National Works Agency, Stephen Shaw says that these exercises are especially meaningful; especially for the north eastern parishes of St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary and St. Ann as these were usually the first to experience the onslaught of tropical storms, hurricanes or heavy rainfall associated with these.
Mr. Shaw says that the flood damage mitigation works undertaken during the year to clean critical drains, culverts and catch basins was an important aspect of the Agency’s preparation to reduce flooding and flood damage.
A programme of work valued at over $300 million is now being rolled out across the country. Mr. Shaw is reminding residents, especially those living close to major drainage features not to dump or allow garbage to be dumped in these facilities.
Clogged drains resulting from dumping has been identified by the NWA as a major contributor to flooding.
