JAMAICA’S Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) last night warned residents of low-lying and flood-prone areas to be on high alert for flash flooding as rains affecting the island were expected to continue over the weekend.

The National Meteorological Service said periods of showers and thunderstorms, which could be heavy at times, were expected to affect most parishes last night and continuing into the weekend.

This homeless man was seen yesterday along Merrion Road in Vineyard Town, Kingston during the heavy rains. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)

The area of low pressure, the Met Service said, has a low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone by late Sunday.

The forecast was for towns in the southwestern and northeastern section of the island — May Pen, Mandeville, Black River, Savanna-la-Mar, Negril, Port Antonio and Port Maria — to receive thunderstorms, and elsewhere showers.

“This means that vulnerable communities across the island should be on high alert as antecedent moisture could cause flash flooding,” said the ODPEM.

It said communities in Kingston and St Andrew that are along the Sandy Gully, Boucher Gully and other gully networks should remain vigilant as high levels of storm water were reported in these channels yesterday.