Flood warnings continue as heavy rains persist

Heavy rains continue to pelt sections of the island even as the Meteorological Service is continuing the Flash Flood Warning across some parishes.

This as the area of low pressure becomes stationary west of Jamaica.

The most affected areas include towns in St. Catherine and Clarendon.

The Flash Flood Warning is continuing for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon and Manchester until five o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

At the same time a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for western parishes also until five o'clock.

A Flash Flood Warning means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly.

Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross flooded roads or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely.

Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for rising water and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.

The Met Office says Satellite imagery and Radar reports indicate that light to moderate and at times, heavy showers and thunderstorms affected most parishes on Monday night into early Tuesday morning.

The Area of Low Pressure has moved over the western Caribbean to the south south-west of Grand Cayman, but the unstable conditions are expected to persist over Jamaica.

Therefore, outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue, especially across northern parishes on Tuesday. 

In the meantime, fishers and other marine interests are advised to exercise extreme caution, as strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms.

Forecasters say the Area of Low Pressure currently has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.