Brac Relief Effort Update

From Hazard Management Cayman Islands’ Joint Communication Service

7:15pm Sunday 9 November 2008

Grand Cayman residents are reminded that there is currently no source of information on the Sister Islands. They are therefore strongly urged to call or send a message advising family and friends there of the contents of this news release, which they do need to know.

Ministry of District Administration, Planning, Agriculture and Housing (DAPAH) officials arrived on Cayman Brac last night (Saturday 8 November) and today established a command centre at the Gerrard Smith International Airport.

From there, they will support District Administration and liaise with ministry and other government agencies on Grand Cayman. HMCI is providing support and coordination for these efforts.

Already, significant steps have been taken in the effort towards restoring normalcy:

• At 5:30 this evening (Sunday, 9 November), a Cayman Airways 737 aircraft left Grand Cayman for the Brac and another flight is scheduled to depart early tomorrow. These flights mean that the runway flooding has been successfully alleviated, a major enhancement in the ability to provide relief for Sister Islands residents and for those wishing to leave.
• CUC is working closely with Brac Power and Light to identify required materials and resources. These should be shipped by barge tomorrow (Monday, 10 November). As of Tuesday, CUC will provide additional crews on the Brac to assist with restoring power.
• A chainsaw crew was dispatched by the Agriculture Department to assist the Brac PWD effort to clear roads. Main roads on the north side are now passable as are those on the Bluff. Residential side streets are being worked on and roads to all cell tower sites have also been cleared. Some sections of roads along the south coast are clear, while others are still affected by floodwaters. Drainage efforts are underway to relieve the situation and it is hoped that these roads can be cleared by Monday.
• Approximately 14 days’ water supply remains in the reservoir, and the Water Authority, through the ongoing marine effort, is shipping generators, an effort which will recommence tomorrow. The water distribution system must be checked, a process that requires electricity and one which must be completed before phased restoration of water can begin.
• Medical facilities remain operational from shelter locations. Some 12 medical professionals have been dispatched to Cayman Brac to provide relief for resident staff.
• Biggie’s Restaurant and Kirkconnell’s Supermarket are operational this evening. Food and water are sufficient and food supply levels will be maintained.
• A vessel, the Carib Eagle, has been loaded with supplies donated by Cayman Imports, Progressive Distributors, Maedac, and private families. Two more of Adrian Brigg’s vessels departed for the Brac, one loaded with 8000lbs of ice, the other with general supplies. The Cayman Aggressor left with PWD staff and private security personnel, and from the Red Cross, 600 tarpaulins and 200 hygiene kits.
• Both gas stations, West End Texaco and Tib Mart in Watering Place, have reopened for business, and are fully functional, with adequate stocks of gasoline.
• Police and fire services on Grand Cayman have dispatched officers to backup personnel based on Cayman Brac.

Grand Cayman residents are again reminded of the importance of coordinating the Paloma relief effort, in spite of our great concern for the Sister Islands’ welfare. The most urgent needs must be taken care of first and it is essential to avoid unnecessarily using the limited transportation capacity.

The public is therefore again urged to comply with the following guidelines when preparing donations:

• Know what you could possibly donate, have everything ready, and stay tuned to media announcements telling you when and where you can drop them off.
• At this time, DO NOT BRING THOSE ITEMS to any advertised delivery point. Instead, wait until there is an official government announcement identifying what goods are needed, and where people should deliver them.
• BUT, if your family on the Sister Islands has asked you to send essential, non-perishable supplies specifically for them, go ahead and deliver them to any advertised delivery point.