GEORGE TOWN: The iconic 132-year-old Eastern & Oriental hotel here was not spared from torrents of rain last Friday, which caused flooding in several areas in the state.
A 22-second video footage, which has gone viral online, shows the hotel’s garden terrace for outdoor seating became flooded.
The video begins with footage showing water of about calf-high flooding the floor where the tables and chairs were placed.
It also shows waves crashing against the retaining wall on the seafront promenade and seawater rising over the wall and splashing into the terrace area.
E&O Bhd group hospitality and lifestyle director Michael Saxon said the hotel's wing garden terrace area was partially submerged when strong waves and high tide surged over the retaining wall at about 6pm on Friday.
"Water levels rose up to the calf level.
"As a priority, our hotel staff ensured the safety of guests, followed by clean-up operations.
"Most importantly, there were no incidents of injury to guests and staff," he said in a statement issued on Saturday.
It was reported that a downpour on Friday had flooded many areas in the state with up to 2m of water.
The floods brought the state to a standstill and caused massive damages.
Saxon said there was no damage to the hotel property and that their restaurant resumed operation on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a hotel staff who declined to be named, said it was scary to see the wave rising up so high.
“Occasionally during high tide and heavy downpours, the waves do raise high, but it feels like this time it was the highest,” she said when contacted.