The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological service
has issued a flash flood watch for low lying and flood prone areas of the British
Virgin Islands valid until 5 p.m. this evening.
A flash flood watch means that conditions may
develop that lead to moderate to major flooding in low lying and flood prone
areas.
Precautions should be taken to safe guard life
and property. Some houses in low lying and flood prone areas may require
evacuation. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor
later forecasts and move quickly to higher ground if flash flooding is observed
or imminent or if a flash flood warning is issued. Note, just one foot of
flowing water is enough to sweep vehicles off the road. When encountering
flooded roads, be extremely cautious, and if in doubt, make the smart choice,
turn around don’t drown. Move to higher ground.
A deep layered trough system with its axis over
the central Caribbean is influencing the weather over the British Virgin Islands,
causing periodic moderate to heavy rain/showers and thunderstorms across the BVI
and will continue to do so for at least the rest of today. Already,
approximately 1 to 2 inches of rain/showers have fallen in some places in the
last 12 hours and another 1 or more inches are possible today in quick time.
Hence, moderate to major flooding of low lying and flood prone areas is
possible.
All interest should pay attention to subsequent
statements issued by the meteorological service.
Forecaster Dale Destin
