BMS Issues Flood Watch for Barbados Due to Excessive Rainfall: Precautions and Impacts

The Barbados Meterological Services (BMS) says excessive rainfall this afternoon and tonight could generate flooding across low-lying areas.

Unstable conditions associated with deep layered moisture and instability along with favourable upper-level divergence are continuing to affect the island.

Rainfall accumulations of close to an inch (25mm) have already been recorded across some sections of the island very early this morning. Mostly cloudy skies with breaks of sunshine with intermittent scattered moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and scattered thunderstorms are forecast with rainfall accumulation of 1 to 3 inches (25.0 to 75.0mm).

Possible Impacts:

There is the medium possibility of significant flooding which may result in runoff from higher elevations.

Soil erosion on exposed or scarred land surfaces.

Water settlements on roads and fields at the foot of hills and coastal roads.

Adjustments to water levels of existing water bodies.

Objects or debris from higher elevations becoming embedded within fast-moving water flows.

Delays on traffic routes with some roads becoming impassable.

Residents and visitors should also be aware that this alert level could elevate to red.

What you should do: The public should follow recommendations from the department of emergency management. The public is also encouraged to monitor the BMS, DEM and GIS websites and their respective social media pages along with the local media networks for further updates.

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding within the next 48 hours. It does not mean flooding will occur but it is possible.

This flood watch was updated at 12 noon and an additional update will be issued at 6 p.m. today or sooner if conditions warrant.