INCREASINGLY CLOUDY conditions are expected for the island with outbreaks of showers over most parishes, the Meteorological Service said last night.
Temperatures are expected to fall two to three degrees below normal and winds will increase in speed from the northeast. These winds should peak near 20-30 knots tomorrow.
Yesterday nine people were evacuated by the Fire Department in St. Margaret's Bay, Portland, as rising flood waters caused by a stationary front east of the island threatened their homes.
According to the Met Office, a surface trough extending from an area of low pressure near Panama is now producing an area of unstable weather over much of the western Caribbean. Clouds and showers associated with the surface trough will continue to influence weather conditions across Jamaica for at least the next 24 hours.
Fishers and other marine interests over offshore waters, as well as those over inshore areas of the north coast, have been urged to exercise caution, due to the expected gusty winds and choppy seas.
The Gleaner's Portland correspondent, Gareth Davis, reported yesterday that nine people were evacuated by the Port Antonio Fire Department during an emergency operation, as rising flood waters threatened the houses they occupied at St. Margaret's Bay in Portland.
Residents summoned the Fire Department at about 6:10 a.m. when they noticed the waters rising constantly. The firemen subsequently removed four adults and five children and took them to higher ground.
Acting Assistant Superintendent of the Port Antonio Fire Depart-ment, Fitzroy Rowe, told The Gleaner that although the Rio Grande is located close to the homes of those affected, it was water from a nearby swamp land that posed the problem. He said the nine from three families were now staying with relatives and neighbours.
Parish co-ordinator of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Fay Neufville, told The Gleaner that although Portland has been experiencing torrential rains, there were no reports of major flooding.
"The communities of Swift River, Fruitful Vale and Shirley Castle that were severely affected by the November flood rains of 2001 have experienced heavy rainfall, but no flooding," she said.
Despite the heavy rain in the parish, all the shelters remained closed yesterday.
