Watts Warns of Severe Drainage and Flooding Problems Across St. George

Opposition MP Algernon “Serpent” Watts used his Budget Debate contribution to raise alarm over persistent drainage and flooding problems affecting several communities in St. George, telling Parliament the issues have gone unresolved for years and continue to put residents at risk.

Watts said major trouble spots include Girl’s Town, Barnes Hill, New Winthorpes, the Andy Watts area, and a large drainage system behind the houses near the Burning Flames bar. He told the House that heavy rainfall routinely overwhelms blocked and deteriorating drains in these communities, causing water to run through residential areas and onto private property.

He pointed to Barnes Hill as one of the most urgent cases, describing how runoff from higher elevations flows directly into homes because drains have not been cleared or rebuilt. In Girl’s Town, he said residents continue to experience dangerous pooling and erosion. Watts added that in New Winthorpes, persistent flooding has become a major hardship for families who have repeatedly appealed for assistance.

Watts also raised concerns about runoff in the Andy Watts area, saying the existing drainage channel is inadequate and requires immediate engineering intervention. He said the gutter behind the Burning Flames bar—one of the constituency’s largest drains—has become a chronic problem because accumulated silt and debris prevent water from flowing out toward the sea, forcing it instead toward people’s homes.

Throughout his presentation, Watts argued that proper drainage is a basic responsibility of government and said residents are frustrated that these issues remain unresolved despite multiple complaints. He urged the administration to prioritise clearing blocked drains, repairing collapsed sections and redesigning systems that can no longer handle modern rainfall levels.

Watts said drainage failures are not simply an infrastructure concern but a threat to health, safety and property, telling Parliament that people in his constituency “cannot wait another year” for remedial work. He called for immediate intervention across St. George to reduce flooding risks before the next rainy season.

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