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Flash Flood Watch in Effect for Eastern and Central Parishes

By: , October 27, 2016

The Key Point:

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a Flash Flood Watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St. Catherine, Clarendon, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary and St. Ann.
Flash Flood Watch in Effect for Eastern and Central Parishes
Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Major Clive Davis (right) addresses a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday (August 1). Others (from left) are Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid; Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie; and Director of the Meteorological Services Division, Evan Thompson.

The Facts

  • The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is therefore urging residents of eastern parishes to remain vigilant for continued possibilities of flooding and land slippage as the system continues to move across Jamaica.
  • Parish Disaster Committees, emergency managers/responders welfare services and volunteers have been placed on standby.

The Full Story

Press Release #1 – The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a Flash Flood Watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St. Catherine, Clarendon, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary and St. Ann.

The advisory is effective until 5.00pm on Thursday October 27, 2016.

Projections are for continued showers and thunderstorms, which could be heavy at times, to affect
Jamaica today into Friday especially across eastern and central parishes.

Reports from parishes indicate several instances of flooding and landslides. Rivers have been reported to be inspate.

Some communities have been marooned as a result of these events. The Junction main road which was earlier reported to be impassable has now been cleared.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is therefore urging residents of eastern parishes to remain vigilant for continued possibilities of flooding and land slippage as the system continues to move across Jamaica.

Though at the “tail-end” of the Hurricane Season, the Caribbean remains very active with respect to adverse weather events. The public is therefore advised to continue monitoring the radio for further advisories and to avoid areas that are at risk from flooding and landslides.

Additionally, persons are reminded to take the following precautions;
• Be ready to evacuate if you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
• Decide on likely evacuation routes now.
• Avoid flooded waterways, i.e. Fording, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.
• Avoid areas where land slippages and/or flooding has occurred or is likely to occur.
• Evacuate to a shelter if your building is threatened
• Make contact with your Parish Disaster Coordinator (at each Parish Council) if you are in need of help.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has alerted all the relevant Agencies. Parish Disaster Committees, emergency managers/responders welfare services and volunteers have been placed on standby.

Last Updated: October 27, 2016

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