An image which shows the impact of Hurricane Joaquin on Cabbage Hill, Crooked Island. A "strong tropical wave" a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands could result in severe flooding in the next 25 hours for several southeastern islands of The Bahamas.

A "strong tropical wave" a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands could result in severe flooding in the next 24 hours for several southeastern islands of The Bahamas, including Long Island, Ragged Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Inagua, according to the Department of Meteorology.

Basil Dean, deputy director of the department, said the tropical wave has a 50 percent chance of becoming a tropical storm, but even if it does not, gusty winds and heavy rains are likely to accompany this system beginning Thursday morning and could result in severe flooding.

"Residents on these islands should monitor the system and be prepared to take quick and necessary actions to minimize possible flood damage," Dean said in a statement.

"Drainage systems should be cleared of all debris between now and Thursday to maximize the free run-off of rain water."

Asked about the extent of flooding, Dean said, "That all depends on the localized areas.

"This is more of a heads up for the persons in those areas to be prepared to secure your property if the need arises."

In a statement, Minister of Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin urged residents who reside on potential impact areas to heed all weather alerts.

Hanna-Martin said residents should take every necessary precaution to assure the protection of life and property.

"Please also pay attention to all updates from the Department of Meteorology on this weather system, and be vigilant and responsive," read the statement.

The islands that could be impacted by the developing tropical storm are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Joaquin last October.

Packing winds up to 140 miles per hour, Joaquin churned over several islands in the central and southern Bahamas, but Long Island, San Salvador, Samana Cay, Crooked Island, Acklins and Rum Cay experienced the worst of the storm.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology reported that Hurricane Gaston of 6 p.m. yesterday was approximately 765 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde islands.

Gaston is not expected to make landfall, but it could have some indirect impact, namely ocean swells impacting the eastern islands of The Bahamas.

The weather system was traveling west-northwest at around 18 miles per hour.

It had winds in excess of 65 miles per hour and was expected to become a hurricane by yesterday.

Royston Jones Jr., Guardian Staff Reporter

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