The government will be spending $17 m on the implementation of an early flood warning system for Port Maria, St. Mary.

The system will trigger a siren that warns residents of imminent flooding during heavy rains, so that the necessary mitigation measures can be taken.

Local government minister Desmond McKenzie said the system is intended to help prevent a recurrence of last year’s devastation, when the town was flooded, resulting in damage to several homes and businesses.

In his sectoral debate presentation today, Mr. McKenzie said the system will also do data collection, for flood prediction.

The Port Maria system is the fourth such set up in the country.

Mr. McKenzie said the system will also have a remote flood monitoring component.