The heavy rains affecting the island have resulted in the
Meteorological Service issuing a Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and
flood-prone areas of all parishes.
A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding has been reported or will occur shortly.
Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to drive through flooded gullies or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely.
Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for fast rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.
A Frontal System continues to produce a broad area of showers and thunderstorms over the central Caribbean, including Jamaica.
The showers were expected to continue on Friday.
The Central Caribbean is projected to remain unstable with showers and thunderstorms likely to continue into early next week.
Fishers and other marine interest should exercise caution as gusty winds and choppy seas may be encountered in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms over the north and south coasts.
10 of 14 blocked roads cleared
Meanwhile the National Works Agency (NWA) says most of the roads blocked during Thursday's heavy rains have been cleared.
Fourteen roads were affected.
Managing Director of the NWA, Milton Hodelin, says 10 were re-opened to vehicular traffic Thursday evening with teams being dispatched to clear the others on Friday.
He said the Maryland to Woodford road in St. Andrew has been opned to single lane traffic.
"The Kintyre ford is washed out and we will have to start some remedial work there and Mahogany Vale ford and the Bog Walk Gorge ... those are the four that are still impassable," he added.
In St. Thomas, the ford at Hagley's Gap has been washed out and is now impassable.
The alternative route from Hagley's Gap is through Bethel Gap to Windsor Forest, through Llandewey onto Eleven Miles.
Flood warning system for the Gorge
And the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will be stepping up plans to construct a flood warning system at the Bog Walk Gorge in St. Catherine to alert motorists when water levels are on the verge of rising.
The Gorge was closed on Thursday after continuous showers associated with a frontal system flooded sections of the road.
Several persons were also stranded for hours.
ODPEM Director General Ronald Jackson says the implementation of an electronic gate system is still on the cards.
System to be implemented by 2009 - Jackson
According to him, while all the resources have not been identified, the ODPEM is intent on implementing the system by next year.
"The Water Resources Authority improved the guage system within the river itself, what we call telemeter, which is able to send information in real time ... we're now looking at a system that could be triggered by the same guage itself ... when it reads a particular level it automatically closes these gates and then sends signals notifying persons," said Mr. Jackson.
The Bog Walk Gorge will remain closed to the public until 12 noon, Friday.
Until then, motorists are being advised to use the alternative routes through Sligoville and Barry.
NWC disruptions due to rains
The continuous rains have affected some National Water Commission (NWC) supply systems.
Several communities in the Corporate Area are without water after flood-waters disrupted operations at critical plants.
NWC Corporate Public Relations Manager Charles Buchanan says a high level of turbidity at treatment facilities forced the Commission to disconnect supplies to several customers.
"The very muddy inflows have affected operations at the Constant Spring Treatment Plant and the Hope filter plant ... we also had some electrical problems at Tulloch Springs and Eastern Headworks as well as some broken mains," he said.
A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding has been reported or will occur shortly.
Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to drive through flooded gullies or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely.
Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for fast rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.
A Frontal System continues to produce a broad area of showers and thunderstorms over the central Caribbean, including Jamaica.
The showers were expected to continue on Friday.
The Central Caribbean is projected to remain unstable with showers and thunderstorms likely to continue into early next week.
Fishers and other marine interest should exercise caution as gusty winds and choppy seas may be encountered in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms over the north and south coasts.
10 of 14 blocked roads cleared
Meanwhile the National Works Agency (NWA) says most of the roads blocked during Thursday's heavy rains have been cleared.
Fourteen roads were affected.
Managing Director of the NWA, Milton Hodelin, says 10 were re-opened to vehicular traffic Thursday evening with teams being dispatched to clear the others on Friday.
He said the Maryland to Woodford road in St. Andrew has been opned to single lane traffic.
"The Kintyre ford is washed out and we will have to start some remedial work there and Mahogany Vale ford and the Bog Walk Gorge ... those are the four that are still impassable," he added.
In St. Thomas, the ford at Hagley's Gap has been washed out and is now impassable.
The alternative route from Hagley's Gap is through Bethel Gap to Windsor Forest, through Llandewey onto Eleven Miles.
Flood warning system for the Gorge
And the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will be stepping up plans to construct a flood warning system at the Bog Walk Gorge in St. Catherine to alert motorists when water levels are on the verge of rising.
The Gorge was closed on Thursday after continuous showers associated with a frontal system flooded sections of the road.
Several persons were also stranded for hours.
ODPEM Director General Ronald Jackson says the implementation of an electronic gate system is still on the cards.
System to be implemented by 2009 - Jackson
According to him, while all the resources have not been identified, the ODPEM is intent on implementing the system by next year.
"The Water Resources Authority improved the guage system within the river itself, what we call telemeter, which is able to send information in real time ... we're now looking at a system that could be triggered by the same guage itself ... when it reads a particular level it automatically closes these gates and then sends signals notifying persons," said Mr. Jackson.
The Bog Walk Gorge will remain closed to the public until 12 noon, Friday.
Until then, motorists are being advised to use the alternative routes through Sligoville and Barry.
NWC disruptions due to rains
The continuous rains have affected some National Water Commission (NWC) supply systems.
Several communities in the Corporate Area are without water after flood-waters disrupted operations at critical plants.
NWC Corporate Public Relations Manager Charles Buchanan says a high level of turbidity at treatment facilities forced the Commission to disconnect supplies to several customers.
"The very muddy inflows have affected operations at the Constant Spring Treatment Plant and the Hope filter plant ... we also had some electrical problems at Tulloch Springs and Eastern Headworks as well as some broken mains," he said.
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