Flash flood watch issued for sections of southern parishes

A flash flood watch is in effect for Jamaica's southern parishes as a tropical system brings heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica issued the alert on Wednesday afternoon as heavy rains flooded parts of the island, including Marcus Garvey Drive and Grants Pen Ford in Kingston and St Andrew.

A flash flood watch means that heavy or excessive rainfall is possible in a short time. 

The watch is in effect for low-lying and flood-prone of St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, and Westmoreland. It will continue until 5 p.m. on Thursday. 

The Met Service explained that a tropical wave west of Jamaica is currently interacting with an area of low pressure across the southwestern Caribbean. The system is expected to remain across the southcentral and western Caribbean over the next few days resulting in unstable weather across Jamaica. 

"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. 

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar.