BVI to host first Flood Protection Awareness Week

For the first time, the British Virgin Islands will host a Flood Protection Awareness Week.

The week will run from May 7 to 11 with a host of activities under the theme ‘Rebuilding a Flood Resilient Community Together’.

According to Assistant Secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Works, Haley Trott, Flood Protection Awareness Week is the final initiative under the $15.6 million the BVI borrowed from the Caribbean Development Bank for flood recovery in 2010.

“One of the conditions of the loan was for capacity building. So, that included the hydrology study. This was as a result of the 2010 rainfall events where Road Town, in particular, the Crabbe Lot area, Port Purcell, and Fishlock Road, which also suffered immense flood damage,” she said.

Flood reduction

The study analyzed the options for flood reduction in Road Town while mapping the levels of risks, identifying cost-effective drainage improvements, and developing drainage policies and plans.

Trott said the focus of the study was between the Port Purcell area and the roundabout in Prospect Reef.

She said the aim of Flood Protection Awareness Week is to educate persons on how to protect themselves, their property, and businesses against floods. Additionally, it will target flood-prone communities.

“We are not only campaigning for government doing their part to help prevent flood damages … We are advocating for businesses and property owners to also do their part to mitigate flooding,” she added.

The Flood Protection Awareness Week is a collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Department of Disaster Management.

Below is the schedule of activities for the week: