A flash flood watch is currently in effect for southern parishes in Jamaica as a tropical system brings heavy rain and thunderstorms to the region. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica issued the alert on Wednesday afternoon after significant rainfall led to flooding in various areas, including Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston.
The flash flood watch indicates that heavy or excessive rainfall may occur within a short period, posing risks particularly to low-lying and flood-prone areas. The watch covers St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland, and will remain in effect until 5 p.m. on Thursday.
According to the Met Service, a tropical wave located west of Jamaica is interacting with an area of low pressure in the southwestern Caribbean. This system is expected to linger over the south-central and western Caribbean in the coming days, leading to unstable weather conditions across Jamaica. Residents are advised to stay alert and prepare for potential flooding.
“Projections are for periods of showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, to affect sections of most parishes, especially southern parishes, continuing this afternoon through to Friday morning,” it said.
The National Works Agency (NWA) has announced the closure of the Bog Walk Gorge due to rising water levels in the Rio Cobre. In light of this, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is urging the public to avoid using the Bog Walk Gorge corridor under any circumstances.
As the island continues to experience significant rainfall, ODPEM is advising residents—especially those in low-lying or flood-prone areas—to remain on high alert and prepared to evacuate if necessary. The agency has issued several precautionary measures aimed at ensuring public safety. These include identifying evacuation routes, securing important documents in waterproof containers, and steering clear of damaged roads and areas vulnerable to land slippage and flooding.
Furthermore, ODPEM is strongly warning against crossing flooded waterways, such as fords, gullies, streams, or rivers, whether on foot or in vehicles. There have been recent incidents of individuals being swept away by floodwaters. Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and heed all safety warnings as heavy rainfall persists across the island.
