Severe weather alert for Jamaica, as Elsa enters Caribbean

In an update this afternoon the country’s weather observatory said rainfall projections are in excess of 50 mm across Jamaica, with ranges of 75-100 mm in northern and south-eastern parishes Sunday through to Monday.

This, the meteorological centre says, is due to the rapid development of Tropical Storm Elsa, formed this morning east of the Windwards islands.

“By early Sunday morning Elsa is expected to be closest to Jamaica’s east and north coasts,” the Met Office said in a series of post on Twitter. “Satellite imagery indicates that this system continues to produce a large area of cloudiness with widespread showers and thunderstorms.”

The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm warnings for islands of Barbados, Martinique, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

*** SEVERE WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT ***
Rainfall projections are in excess of 50 mm across Jamaica, with ranges of 75-100 mm in northern and
southeastern parishes Sunday through to Monday. @MHureccjm

— MetServiceJA (@MetserviceJA) July 1, 2021

“There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts in portions of Cuba, Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas through early next week,” the NOC stated in its 5:00 pm bulletin.

Fishers on the cays and banks are advised to commence preparations immediately with a view to evacuation
at short notice, due to the fast motion of this system. Sea conditions are expected to deteriorate in the vicinity of showers, thunderstorms and strong gusty winds during the weekend.

As a result, the ODPEM is advising persons in low-lying and flood-prone areas such as St. Mary, Portland, St.
Thomas, Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon and Manchester to exhibit caution and be prepared to
move to higher ground as it becomes necessary.

Persons are advised to take the following procedures
1. Be ready to evacuate if you live in low-lying or flood- prone areas. Decide on likely evacuations routes now.
2. Avoid flooded water-ways i.e. fording, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.
3. Ensure that all important documents are secured in plastic bags or waterproof containers.
4. Shut off all electrical power, gas and water supplies in areas that are in immediate danger for flooding.
The ODPEM will to continue monitor the system and provide the public further information.