PHILIPSBURG--The island experienced heavy rainfall and flooding Saturday throughout the day. Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) was closed down after aircraft had difficulty landing and taking off.
Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Miklos Giterson warned residents not to utilise roads unless it was necessary. Affected areas included flood-prone roads such as Waterfront Road, Wellington Road, Zagersgut Road and the Mullet Bay road leading to the area of Starz Casino in Cupecoy.
A mudslide was reported near the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort entrance, causing Public Works workers were called in and eventually cleared the usually busy street.
In a statement on Saturday, Giterson said persons residing in the hillside areas should be vigilant for land movement such as mudslides, as the island had experienced an increased amount of rainfall over the past weeks leading to oversaturation of the soil.
The ministry activated its water management system, opened the Great Bay canal as a precautionary measure and water was pumped from Great Salt Pond into the sea at Great Bay. There were reports of fallen trees, rocks and debris.
The ministry reminded residents that the hurricane season officially ends at the end of November and the public should remain cautious about any weather system approaching the island.
