Severe thunderstorm watch, flash flood warning now in effect

Barbados is under a severe thunderstorm watch and a flash flood warning.

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) issued the alerts as severe lightning activity and heavy rainfall continued to affect the central, western, and southern parts of the island.

This morning, the BMS issued a flash flood watch but upgraded it to a warning this afternoon, noting that excessive rainfall will generate flooding across low-lying areas.

“There is the high possibility of significant flooding which will result in runoff from higher elevations,” it said.

In a warning about the severe thunderstorms, the BMS told residents: “Lighting activity at or near your location could result in power outages if lighting strikes power utility infrastructure. Persons are reminded that lightning strikes can be life-threatening.”

The BMS predicted that the rain and lightning conditions will peak this afternoon with some improvement tonight.