Flood damage estimate
now at NAf. 1.5 million
PHILIPSBURG--The estimated cost of the damage to public infrastructure caused Saturday’s flash flooding now stands at NAf. 1.5 million to 1.8 million, Public Works Commissioner Roy Marlin announced at the Executive Council Press Briefing on Wednesday. This figure has been determined from the damage assessments being carried out so far.
The cost, which includes repairing of eroded and damaged roads and water damage to schools, will be partly covered by the Island Government. More long-term projects such as bridge upgrading will be submitted to the Development Fund of the Netherlands Antilles USONA for financing.
Two bridges in Ebenezer and the sewage plant next to Milton Peters College were damaged by the floodwaters. Repairs to these have been included in the cost estimate.
Also a part of the estimate is Dancing Lady Road in Saunders that was severely damaged by the floodwaters and has been closed off until repairs can begin, Marlin said. This road was repaired after Hurricane Lenny, but the repaired sections were destroyed by the force of the water. Residents are advised to access this area via Mary’s Fancy.
Reward Road, Guavaberry Road and a number of other roads were also damaged. The Public Works Department and the commissioner will meet today, Thursday, to start the process of repairing the damaged roads in the various districts by temporary grading or hard surfacing, to mitigate the short-term effects on residents.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School and Prins Willem Alexander School, both of which sustained water damage from the flooding, are being cleaned by the Public Works Department.
Two bridges in Ebenezer and the sewage plant next to Milton Peters College were damaged by the floodwaters. The repairs of these have been included in the cost estimate.
Key projects that can be carried out on a long-term basis for which USONA will be approached include the upgrading of the breakwater bridge next to Great Bay Beach Resort. “We had discussions on a different system for the inlet and outlet of the water from Fresh Pond to the ocean.”
A possible floodgate system with a rock revetment heading out into the ocean might be an easier system to address this issue, instead of the present need for an excavator to open the channel, he stated.
Some 29 persons have contacted to the commissioner’s office requesting help to remove debris, rocks and parts of the collapsed walls from their yards after the flood. Assistance will be rendered to these persons via the Public Works Department in the order that requests were received, as of Monday, according to Marlin.
Several businesses and individuals have contacted the Island Government offering financial and material help to the flood victims, he added. Government is coordinating with the St. Peters Community Council about the distribution of aid to the flood-affected persons who are most in need.
After a complete assessment of the flood damage and its impact on residents, social project funding agency Reda Sosial will probably approached for assistance also, he stated.
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