The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Meteorological Service that a strong tropical wave east of the island is moving closer to Jamaica and is expected to influence weather conditions this weekend.

The system is expected to move westward across Jamaica by tomorrow morning and continue to influence conditions across the island through the weekend.

Consequently, the island is expected to experience periods of showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds, first affecting eastern parishes tonight, then spread quickly to other parishes through Saturday. Showers could sometimes be heavy and there is the potential for flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

The public is advised to continue monitoring the radio for further advisories and to avoid areas that are at risk from flooding and landslides. Also take the following precautions in the event of heavy rains:

All Parish Disaster Committees have been alerted and will be monitoring the situation in each parish. The Meteorological Service and ODPEM will continue to keep an eye on the state of affairs and further updates will be provided as it demands.

• Be ready to evacuate if you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Decide on likely evacuation routes now. Plan to stay with family or friends in safer areas or in a public shelter and move to safety.
• Avoid flooded waterways, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.

Fishers and other marine interests, especially fishers on the cays and banks, are being advised to exercise extreme caution as winds could reach gale force beginning tonight, primarily out of the east.