Meteorological Service Issues Flash Flood Watch for Eight Jamaican Parishes

Heavy rainfall has caused the Plantain Garden River in Bath, St Thomas, to overflow its banks, flooding nearby homes and forcing some residents to leave. Locals say earlier river work has washed away, leaving them worried about repeated flooding and the lack of a clear timeline for repairs.

Heavy rain in Jamaica led to class suspensions on Friday at several Portland schools, including Port Antonio Primary, where morning activities were postponed and students were dismissed at noon. Port Antonio Primary sits in the flood-prone Prospect area, while Boundbrook Primary and Port Antonio High adjusted schedules to accommodate some students and send them home early.

Jamaica’s Meteorological Service has issued a flash flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas in eight parishes, including St Ann, St Mary, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine and Clarendon, until 5 p.m. Sunday. A trough over the western Caribbean is bringing showers and thunderstorms, with heavier rain possible in eastern and central parishes, while marine conditions along the south coast may worsen.

A flash flood watch is in effect until 5:00 pm Sunday for low-lying and flood-prone areas in eight Jamaican parishes, as showers and thunderstorms continue across the island. The Meteorological Service says heavy rain could cause flooding, while rougher seas may affect fishers and other marine users, especially along the south coast.

Several ISSA Manning Cup and daCosta Cup matches scheduled for Friday have been postponed in Portland, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, and Clarendon because of bad weather. Organisers are still monitoring conditions in other parishes and have urged players, coaches and supporters to prioritise safety. No new dates have been announced yet.

Jamaica is expected to see increased rainfall from Friday through Sunday as a broad trough moves closer to the island, bringing periods of showers and thunderstorms that may be heavy at times, especially in eastern and central parishes. The Meteorological Service has urged fishers and other marine interests to use caution as sea conditions are likely to worsen near storms and squalls.

Jamaica is expected to see showers and thunderstorms from Friday through Sunday as a trough moves closer to the island, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management said. Eastern and central parishes may be hit hardest, and fishers and other marine interests have been urged to use caution as sea conditions deteriorate.