Flash flood warning extended for Jamaica

The Meteorological Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for all parishes until 5 p.m. tomorrow.

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.

As a result, it says heavy showers and thunderstorms have been forecasted across the island tonight and tomorrow.

The Met Office says at 4 p.m. today, the centre of Tropical Storm Richard was located near latitude 16.0 degrees north and longitude 80.4 degrees west or about 375 kilometres south southeast of Grand Cayman.

Richard is drifting toward the south-southeast near 6 km/h. A gradual track toward the south, southwest then west is expected over the next 48 hours at a slow forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 65 km/h, with higher gusts.
Strengthening is forecast and Tropical Storm Richard is expected to become a hurricane on Saturday.

The Met office says while the storm will not be a threat to Jamaica, it will continue to monitor the conditions associated with this system.