Update: Clean-up crews were beginning to remove downed trees and electricity poles from areas throughout the Cayman Islands early Saturday afternoon, as winds and rains died down locally.
Many areas on Grand Cayman remained flooded, and shelters were open to people whose homes were flooded.
According to the 1pm update from the National Weather Service, Eta was moving away from the Cayman Islands and was located 50 miles north of Grand Cayman. It was heading in a northeasterly direction at 17 miles per hour. Its wind speed had increased to 60 miles per hour.
“On the current forecast path, conditions will gradually improve for Grand Cayman through this afternoon and a gradual improvement of weather conditions are expected for the Sister Islands from approximately 7pm this evening,” the NWS said in its update.
More than 22,800 people across 166 locations in Grand Cayman were without power by 12:45pm, but CUC crews were beginning their repair work. Little Cayman also lost power, but it had resumed by 12:30pm.
National Roads Authority crews were removing debris from roads across Grand Cayman by early Saturday afternoon, and Public Works Department staff were also preparing to carry out repair work.
Members of the Cayman Islands Regiment were also checking areas in Grand Cayman.
The water supply for Water Authority customers in parts of Grand Cayman was cut off for some time on Saturday morning. The utility company reported that customers east of Northward could expect their supply to resume within an hour or two after noon.
The public is being asked to refrain from travelling on local roads because of flooding and downed trees, poles and power lines.
A Government Information Service spokesperson said the Flow and Digicel cell site on Hirst Road in Savannah has lost power. The site’s generator was flooded so the system was operating on battery back-up. Once the battery dies, mobile service users in that area will experience degradation in service but they do not expect a complete loss of service, GIS stated.
Earlier: The National Hurricane Center reports that Eta has been upgraded to a tropical storm, with wind speeds of 50 miles per hour.
As of 11am, the storm was 30 miles west-northwest of Grand Cayman, the NHC stated.
The storm is bringing heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas to the Cayman Islands, where trees and electricity poles have been knocked down at various locations across the island.
As of 10am, more than 21,000 people were without power on Grand Cayman.
The storm is moving in a northeasterly direction at 17 mph, the National Weather Service reported.
On its current forecast path, Eta is expected to generate tropical-storm-force winds over the Cayman Islands from early Saturday afternoon through early Sunday morning. High winds were already been felt across the islands by morning.
The Cayman Islands is currently under a tropical storm warning, and Hazard Management is appealing to members of the public not to leave their homes on Saturday unless absolutely necessary.
The weather service issued a severe weather notification for Cayman with forecasted sustained winds of 25-30 knots (28-35 mph) and gale force winds of 40 knots (46 mph).
Wave heights are estimated to be between eight and 12 feet on Saturday with extremely rough seas particularly on the west coast. All marine craft have been advised to seek safe harbour by Friday evening.
There is a strong risk of flooding in low-lying areas from an expected 4-8 inches of rainfall on Saturday.
The Caribbean Utilities Companies, in a press release, said at least five power lines had been knocked down in the Savannah/Red Bay area.
“Our crews are currently on location and will start repairs as soon as soon as the winds and rain abate and it is safe to start the work,” a CUC spokesperson said.
EARLIER STORIES
Update: As weather conditions deteriorate, more than 20,000 people were without power by 9:45am.
High winds knocked down trees and electricity poles at a number of locations across Grand Cayman.
Rough seas are lashing the shorelines on the south and west coasts of the island.
Due to the high winds and heavy rainfall, Cayman Airways has cancelled its flights today.
The Health Services Authority reported that its main phone line is down due to the storm. Anyone who needs to contact the hospital can call 525-2144. In a medical emergency, call 911.
Original story: More than 7,000 customers on Grand Cayman lost power Saturday morning as heavy rains from the approaching storm Eta continued across the island.
On its latest track, Eta, which is a tropical depression but expected to strengthen to a tropical storm, will be at its nearest point – 60 miles – from Grand Cayman by early this evening, and 99 miles northwest of Cayman Brac by late tonight, according to the latest National Weather Service update.
As torrential rain continues to fall across Grand Cayman, the Red Cross shelter in George Town will open at 9am this morning, a Government Information Service spokesperson confirmed. At noon, four more shelters will open. These include the John Gray Memorial Church in West Bay, and the civic centres at Breakers, East End and North Side. John Gray High School is also opening at noon as a shelter, and is pet friendly.
Up to 8 inches of rain is expected to fall today, bringing flooding to low-lying areas.
Local supermarkets, Foster’s, Priced Right, Hurley’s Marketplace and Kirk Market will all close at 9am today because of the inclement weather, the stores announced early today.
Closures
Post offices closed
Ports closed
Customs collections office and warehouse closed
Supermarkets closed
Power outages
Power outages were experienced shortly after 7am in Spotts, Prospect, George Town, West Bay and in other areas across the island. By 8:20am, power had been returned to customers at some locations but nearly 4,800 people at 49 sites remained without power.
In Red Bay, outages was caused by transmission poles blowing over and breaking.
The storm is expected to be closest to Grand Cayman about 2pm this afternoon. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to start about 10am and end about 6pm, the Cayman Islands National Weather said in a bulletin overnight.
On the Sister Islands, tropical storm-force winds are expected to begin around 6pm tonight, and end around 11pm.
Up to 8 inches of rain are expected to fall across the Cayman Islands today.
The storm is also bringing strong winds. A gale force winds advisory is in place, as Eta is predicted to bring winds of up to 30 knots, with higher gusts of 40 knots.
Rough seas are also expected, especially along the south and west coasts of Grand Cayman. Wave heights of 8-12 feet are predicted.
A marine advisory remains in effect through to Sunday afternoon. All marine craft should seek and remain in safe harbor.
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