Little Cayman, East End, North Side to get worst
Major Hurricane Paloma batters Cayman |
There were reports of coastal flooding and island-wide power outages as Hurricane Paloma pounded Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands Friday night.
By 7pm, Paloma had become a major Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115mph. It was located about 30 miles south of the eastern end of Grand Cayman.
The storm was crawling along at a forward speed of just six miles an hour as of 7pm.
Hurricane force winds extended out 25 miles from the storms centre, while tropical storm force winds extended out to 120 miles from the eye of the hurricane.
Storm surges of up to seven feet above normal tide levels were expected in Grand Cayman overnight.
Government officials expected widespread flooding in all of Caymans three islands and urged residents staying in those areas to move to the highest point inside the building they occupied.
Several areas of Grand Cayman started reporting power outages between 4pm-5pm as tropical storm force winds continued to buffet the island.
Caribbean Utilities Company officials said lights were out in areas of Prospect Road, South Sound and on the islands North Side between Old Man Bay and Rum Point.
Sporadic power outages in the George Town area were also reported starting around 5pm.
CUC cautioned customers that its crews would not be able to venture out in the worsening weather conditions to make repairs and would have to wait until storm-force winds passed by. That wasnt expected to happen until mid-day Saturday.
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service officers were also not able to respond to emergency calls Friday evening due to the weather. Callers to 911 were asked for their address and contact number and told that police or fire service crews would respond as soon as it was safe.
No curfew had been ordered, but RCIPS commanders said they would continue to evaluate the situation as the storm progressed.
Palomas slight northeastern shift earlier in the afternoon also put the Sister Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, more directly in the path of the storm.
Shelters were opened on the Sister Islands early in the afternoon and water was to be shut off to Cayman Brac at 7pm.
All residents on Little Cayman were urged to attend the islands shelter as it was expected to be the worst hit of the three islands, according to the storms current path.
Hurricane Paloma nears just offshore southern Grand Cayman.
At 7 p.m. Paloma was located near 18.9 N 81.1 W or 30 miles south of the eastern end of Grand Cayman. The hurricane is moving north to northeast near 6 mph with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph.
A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND ALL RESIDENTS SHOULD STAY TUNED TO THE LOCAL MEDIA FOR THE LASTEST INFORMATION.
For Grand Cayman: Between 8 9 p.m – The Eyewall begins affecting the southern coast from central Grand Cayman (Ocean Club) to the East End & Gun Bay areas This will bring strong easterly to northeast winds onshore causing storm surge of 4 to 6 feet and wave action of 15 to 30 feet as well as extensive beach erosion in these areas. As the center moves east of Grand Cayman, winds will become more northeasterly to northerly leading to similar storm surge and wave action on the north coast (North Side, Rum Point, Cayman Kai and the North Sound) of the eastern portions of the Island
As the center crosses strong north to northeast winds will begin to push the water into the North Sound leading to an increase in storm surge.
The Northwest Point, Seven Mile Beach and the Georgetown Harbour will experience mainly northerly to northwesterly winds of about 80 90 MPH; leading to heavy wave action, 15 30 feet, and extensive beach erosion.
Strongest winds of near 72 mph gusting to 90 mph from the north are expected to occur around 10 pm tonight The maximum storm surge will also occur around this time.
The Sister Islands:- Will experience increasing winds from the southeast as the eastern portion of the Eye Wall and hurricane force winds begin affecting Little Cayman from the early morning on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds, first from the south and southeast then gradually shifting to the southwest, of near 113 mph with higher gusts, are forecast for Little Cayman through late morning on Saturday. Cayman Brac will briefly experience its strongest winds from the south, near 100 mph, during the mid morning. Both Islands will experience serious wave action, with heights of 15 25 feet, as well as extensive beach erosion on the South and west coasts. Storm surge of 3 5 feet likely.
All marine interests should remain in safe Harbour.
Rain-bands associated with Paloma will continue to affect the Cayman Islands through Sunday afternoon. Weather models are forecasting around 8-10 inches of rainfall with the passage of Hurricane Paloma, therefore widespread flooding is expected and all residents should take exercise caution.
Residents are urged to continue to closely monitor the progress of Paloma. The next update on this system will be issued 10 pm tonight.
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