NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, January 04, 2018 at 12:00 p.m.

NEWS RELEASE

SIGNIFICANT FEATURE……… *** FLASH FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR SOME NORTHERN PARISHES….FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR OTHER PARISHES ***

The Meteorological Service has:

· Upgraded the Flash Flood Watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland to a Flash Flood Warning.



· Continued the Flash Flood Watch for low lying and flood prone areas of St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, Hanover and St. James.



· Effective until 5:00 p.m. today.



· The Cold Front across Jamaica continues to produce unstable weather conditions. Satellite imagery and radar reports indicate that light to moderate and at times heavy showers affected sections of mainly northern parishes since last night and flooding has been reported in sections of Trelawny and St. Ann.



· The forecast is for periods of showers and thunderstorms, which could be heavy at times, to continue to affect sections of most parishes especially northern parishes today through to tomorrow. Further flash flooding is therefore expected over some low-lying and flood-prone areas.



· A FLASH FLOOD WARNING means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely. Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.



· A FLASH FLOOD WATCH means that flash flooding is possible and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, keep informed by listening to further releases from the Meteorological Service and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a Warning is issued.



The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the situation.


END

TCR