Lead Stories

SEVERAL ROADS were left impassable yesterday as heavy rains lashed most of the island.

The National Works Agency (NWA), late yesterday, reported that the rainfall of the previous 72 hours caused flooded roadways in some parishes.

In St Elizabeth, the Pedro Cross to Lititz main road was flooded at Junction and at Southfield in the vicinity of Powell Town, but those were cleared by late afternoon. However, motorists were advised to proceed with caution.

In Clarendon, the Free Town to Four Paths main road in the vicinity of Palmer's Cross was also inundated. Motorists were urged to proceed with caution along this roadway.

Meanwhile, in Portland, scouring of the Hope Bay to Chips Hall main road occurred and motorists were advised to drive with extreme caution along this roadway.

Road cleared by NWA

The Halls Head to Belvedere main road in western St Thomas, which was made impassable by wash-down silt and debris, was cleared by NWA contractors, but residents in the area urged caution.

The Serge Island Loop Road, also in western St Thomas, was also inundated, while minor land slippage was reported along the Guava Ridge to Silver Hill Gap main road.

The NWA cautioned motorists who use these roadways to proceed with care, as the roads were slippery.

Motorists were also urged to obey posted warning signs and the instructions of flag persons.

And the Meteorological Service yesterday extended the flash-flood warning for the low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes until 5 a.m.

Severe weather conditions are expected to continue across the western Caribbean and offshore the Jamaican coast until Sunday.

The Met Service says marine interests, particularly fishers on the cays and banks south of the island, should exercise caution, as weather conditions will remain unstable today.

Low-pressure system developing

An area of low pressure across the western Caribbean, west of Jamaica, is showing signs of further development and has great potential to become a tropical cyclone within 48 hours, the National Meteorological Service reported yesterday.