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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER
BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 29th MARCH 2011
Question
On 10th March 2008 Jersey suffered a tidal surge of approximately 5 feet, combined with a 37ft 9in high tide which both caused overtopping of St Helier Harbour well above the land ties, and marina pontoons to rise above their timber pylons/stanchions and the capping on the pylons to be forced off, all this in calm weather. Can the Chief Minister, as Chairman of the Emergencies Council, advise what emergency measures are in place –
- to cope with a tidal surge of more than 5 feet on a 39/40 ft spring tide with gale force winds from the south or south-west?
- to deal with a tidal surge along the entire low lying areas of the Island's south coast?
- to protect the many engineering installations at La Collette, namely the JEC power station, Energy from Waste plant, Fuel farm, light industry buildings, etc?
Would the Chairman state at what height above high water spring tide the ash pits and the storage of asbestos are situated?
Would the Chairman summarise what lessons, if any, have been learnt from the 2008 occurrence? Answer
At the outset I wish to correct the assertion made by the Deputy of St John that the issue to which he refers took place "in calm water". Reference to the Meteorological Office will confirm that the Island suffered a significant storm on the day in question.
The Island's sea defences and harbours were not designed to accommodate a storm of this nature and, as such, damage to public and private property was inevitable.
Following the storm event a de brief was held with all agencies who were involved with managing the situation on the day and the subsequent clean up and repair.
Actions taken to assist in storm event management and specifically along the South Coast have been as follows:
- An early warning system is sent out by the Meteorological Office based on the severity of the incoming storm to all agencies
- Improved Engineering works in the form of slip way raising, greater capacity gullies and the installation of tidal protection boards along the South coast has been instigated
- The setting up of a multi agency group to review, amongst other emergency issues, tidal flooding and to produce a coordinated plan for dealing with this event.
- Transport and Technical Services are currently reviewing all Southerly sea defences and developing plans to take account of future storm events and climate change.
The sea defences around the La Collette area are of sufficient height to protect all the current infrastructure in the area. Sections of the south westerly sea defences will need to be raised when future development of the area is considered.
All of the ash and asbestos storage pits are above the mean high water level and are further protected by the surrounding sea defences which provides protection from tidal surge.