Flood watch issued as heavy rains continue to pound St. Vincent

Forecasters on Thursday evening announced that a flood watch was in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines until 6 a.m., Friday, as heavy rains continue to batter the island chain.

Even before the flood watch came into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday, some areas of Kingstown, the nation’s capital, had already seen the flooding of sidewalks and other walkways.

Forecasters say that cloudy to overcast skies, occasional pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and thunderstorms are moving across the Lesser Antilles.

This activity, which is being generated by a low-level trough and the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), will continue to affect St. Vincent and the Grenadines Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday morning.

Models are forecasting further rainfall accumulations of at least 50 to 75mm (2 to 3 inches) over St Vincent and the Grenadines during this time period. Isolated higher amounts are possible over mountainous terrain.

Due to the already saturated nature of the soils, residents and motorists in flood prone areas, areas prone to land slippage, near rivers and streams should continue to exercise caution and remain alert, forecasters say.

They noted, however, that a Flood-Watch is issued when conditions are favourable but does not mean that flooding will occur but that it is possible.

This watch will be updated as necessary, forecasters say, adding that the Barbados Meteorological Services and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Services will continue to monitor this system and provide the necessary updates.

The forecast into Thursday night is for generally cloudy to overcast conditions with some scattered moderate to heavy showers, periods of light to moderate rain and isolated thunderstorms.