FLASH FLOOD WATCH STATEMENT

WHCA31 TAPA
BULLETIN
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES
5:39 AM ECT TUE, MAY 8, 2012

THE LEEWARD ISLANDS

THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE HAS DOWNGRADED THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING TO A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF ANTIGUA, BARBUDA AND MONTSERRAT VALID UNTIL 3 P.M. THIS AFTERNOON.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING IN LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

A PERSISTENT TROUGH OVER THE NORTHEAST CARIBBEAN IS INFLUENCING THE WEATHER OVER THE LEEWARD AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, CAUSING PERIODIC HEAVY SHOWERS. THESE HEAVY SHOWERS COULD CAUSE A RAPID BUILDUP OF WATER ON THE GROUND AND HENCE, RESULTING IN MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING OF 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..

THE METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION. PLEASE CALL 463-4638 OR STAY TUNED TO LOCAL RADIO AND TV STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

FORECASTER LORNE SALMON