Residents of several coastal communities yesterday woke to find their yards and homes under several inches of muddy seawater after windy conditions in the Atlantic propelled 1.5 meter swells, riding on 3.11 meter tides, over the sea defences.
Commenting on what may have led to the unexpected levels of overtopping, Minister of Works Robeson Benn explained that a “disturbance” in the Atlantic Ocean generated strong waves which rode on top of the regular tide which came parallel to the top of the walls. It was these “swellings,” he said, which came over the seawall and caused the level of flooding seen.
In addition, he said, the clogged drains in areas adjacent to the Rupert Craig Highway prevented the water from reaching the Liliendaal pump