Minister of Works thanks community and pledges future flood improvements
Hon. Linford Pierson
The Hon. Linford Pierson has pledged to seek additional funding to make drainage improvements, if necessary, following the weekend's heavy flooding in Grand Cayman.
Mr. Pierson, Minister for Planning, Communications, Works and Information Technology, said: "Emergency crews, including PWD, Police, Fire, 911, and Caribbean Utilities Company worked over the weekend to assess the situation and to provide assistance.
"George Town MLA's and other community minded individuals also pitched in to help. Today, the crews are still working to further improve the situation.
"As minister, I am prepared to seek additional funding as required to make any necessary im-provements."
Over the weekend 9.6 inches of rain fell in a six-hour period and a total of 10.19 inches in a 24-hour period.
The weather, which caused flooding in the George Town area, was caused by a cold front which stalled over Grand Cayman.
Mr. Pierson said: "According to the Met Office this is a new record. Not since the office began keeping rainfall records in 1957 have we had this much rain in a one-day period. The closest was in November 1993 when 7.83 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period."
He added: "Thanks to the work put in by the Public Works Department (PWD) over the past two years the circumstances were much better than they could have been.
"The 50 new wells in George Town, the improved drainage system in the Randyke area and the South Sound drainage system, all contributed to mitigating flooding in areas that in the past would have suffered considerably.
"Luckily, most of the floodwater subsided quickly. However many residents and businesses did experience a considerable amount of water intrusion."
He said: "I thank the many people who worked to assist those in need. I was very pleased to see the community pull together to assist their neighbours and strangers alike who were affected by the flooding."