HEAVY rains from a lingering frontal system over the island yesterday caused flooding and land slippages in sections of Portland in eastern Jamaica. Several roads were inundated, homes flooded with at least one — a three-bedroom dwelling in Windsor Castle — collapsing.

According to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), six houses at Dobson Scheme in Buff Bay were threatened by rising waters, while the First Avenue crossing in that town was impassable. Flooding was also reported at West Norman Lane and Craig Mill in Buff Bay.

And the Hart Hill main road was blocked by land slippages, while two houses in that section of the parish were flooded.

ODPEM also reported that Lowlayton in Orange Bay was affected by flooding and crops destroyed.

The agency said the National Works Agency was working to clear blocked roads in the parish, while damage assessments were being done by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

"The public is advised to continue monitoring the radio for further advisories and to avoid areas that are at risk from flooding and landslides," said the ODPEM.

The agency urged residents of low-lying and flood-prone areas to be ready to evacuate if further flooding was reported.

Last night, the National Meteorological Service issued a flash flood watch for Hanover, St James, Trelawny, St Ann, St Mary, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, and Portland.

A flash flood watch means flooding is possible and residents of the named parishes were advised to take precautionary measures and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a warning is issued.

The Met Service said the frontal trough over the central Caribbean and a new frontal system approaching from the northwest would continue to influence weather conditions over Jamaica last night and into this morning.

Cloudy conditions with outbreaks of showers that affected most of the island yesterday and persisted into the night were forecast to continue today, the Met Service said.

Fishers and other marine interests, especially those in the inshore and offshore areas of the south coast, were warned to expect choppy seas and thunderstorms.