HEAVY RAINS left Barbados under a 16-hour flood watch yesterday as a trough system moved over the island.
That warning was expected to be discontinued at 8 a.m. today.
But Barbadians are being advised to brace themselves for more bad weather as an active wave is expected to affect the island from this afternoon.
A second wave has also formed in the Atlantic but is still way off Barbados.
An official from the Government Meteorological Office added that the first tropical wave was just over 180 miles off Barbados, and should reach land this afternoon and continue to affect the island tomorrow.
He noted that the approaching waves were "very" active, and generating "quite a bit" of shower activity.
As a result, "very" unstable conditions will continue to affect Barbados today and tomorrow.
"The trough system today [yesterday] generated moderate to heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms. The tropical wave will add more instability," he said.
The official advised Barbadians living in flood-prone areas to be on the alert and be prepared to move if necessary.
Yesterday overcast skies and intermittent rains throughout the day gave way to a heavy downpour just after 2 p.m.
By 4 p.m. streets leading from Fontabelle into Bridgetown and surrounding areas were under water as floodwaters continued to rise.
Cars stalled, businesses, especially those along Mason Hall Street, were flooded, and many were left stranded. By 4:30 p.m. yesterday a flood warning was issued.
When a DAILY NATION team set out from Fontabelle, streets were flooded and traffic reduced to a crawl. Waters continued to rise along Lakes Folly, going from ankle high there to knee deep on Mason Hall Street and Reed Street.
Drivers who attempted to take on the rising waters ended up with stalled cars, while some opted for safety and turned around to find alternate routes.
Only heavy-duty vehicles such as minibuses and Transport Board buses made it safely through the water.
Pedestrians were forced to lift their skirts, roll up their pants legs and remove their shoes as they waded through the water on their way home.
For those at the Salvation Army's office in Reed Street, the rising water was a challenge.
Divisional Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Clinton Burrowes, blamed the problem on a nearby drain which he said was in urgent need of repairs.
Noting that he had never seen the water in the area so high, Burrowes said it was evidence that there was a need for adequate preparations to be done for floods and hurricanes.
"The preparations should begin now. We can't wait for these things to happen," he said.
Marceline Gill, a resident of Mason Hall Street, complained about everything in her yard "sailing away".
However, by the time THE NATION team circled the area a second time, the rain had abated and much of the floodwaters had receded.
