St Kitts and Nevis on flash flood watch from Tropical Storm Karen

Low-lying areas and flood prone portions of St Kitts and Nevis are under a flashflood watch.

Tropical Storm Karen which passed well over 100 miles off St Kitts and Nevis dumped showers on the islands overnight leaving several areas under water and some damage to the Old Road Bay project, which is expected to come under increasing criticism due to the way it was implemented without an Environmental Impact Assessment and Wave study.

The entire stretch of the New Town and Irish Town Bay Roads experienced encroachment by breaking waves late Monday afternoon. With the sea raging overnight, sand and debris were dumped on the Irish Town Bay Road rendering it impassible Tuesday morning.

The Carnival cruise ship Fascination which normally calls at Port Zante on Wednesdays had brought forward its visit to Tuesday, but with the sea conditions that call was cancelled.

According to the alert issued by Metrological Office in Antigua and Barbuda, a flash flood watch means that moderate to major flooding is possible but not imminent in the watch area noting that fash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
Residents in low lying and flood prone areas should make preparations for flooding to safe guard life and property. They should be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding rains develop or a flash flood warning is issued.

Tropical Storm Karen moving towards the British Virgin Islands and feeder bands associated with this system is causing periodic moderate to heavy showers across St. Kitts and Nevis which is expected to continue throughout the day.

Already, up to 1.5 inches of rain have fallen in some places in the last 12 hours and another 2 or more inches is possible in the next 12 hours. Hence, moderate to major flooding of low lying and flood prone areas is possible.