The Meteorological Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for low low-lying and flood-prone areas of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon.
It has upgraded the Flash Flood Watch to a Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland effective until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
The met service says Tropical Storm Ian has now been upgraded to Hurricane Ian and is currently located 391 kilometres west -southwest of Negril Point, Jamaica.
Ian is expected to move north- northwest across the northwestern Caribbean today.
Its outer bands have been producing adverse weather conditions across Jamaica since Saturday.
Observational Data indicates that the outer bands of Ian have been producing moderate to heavy showers since yesterday and light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms over the last few hours, mainly across northeastern and southern parishes.
The forecast is for periods of moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms to continue across southern and northeastern parishes today through to early Tuesday. Periods of showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon, are expected for the remainder of the island during this time. Additionally due to the extended period of rainfall, and high ground saturation, landslides are likely.
A FLASH FLOOD WARNING means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely. Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH means that flash flooding is possible and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, keep informed by listening to further releases from the Meteorological Service and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a Warning is issued.
