Premier Wayne Panton urged Cayman Islands residents to finalise their storm plans as a Royal Navy ship headed for the territory following the issuing of a a hurricane alert on Friday.
A rapidly intensifying tropical depression had morphed into a named storm as it advanced towards the islands throughout the day.
The premier met with government members, weather forecasters and hazard management officials to assess the island’s readiness for what had become Topical Storm Ian by late Friday evening.
The weather system is currently churning through the southern Caribbean Sea, packing winds of around 35 mph. At 10pm Friday it was 680 miles away from Grand Cayman and moving at a speed of 12 miles per hour.
The storm is expected to intensify as it moves north with current forecasts projecting it could be a hurricane by the time it reaches the Cayman Islands. All three islands are likely to be impacted. Tropical storm force winds are likely to begin impacting Cayman from Sunday at 6pm.
Panton said, “I encourage the Cayman Islands public to finalise your emergency plans and gather all necessary supplies as soon as possible.
“Plan to stay off of the roads from Sunday afternoon as weather conditions start to deteriorate.”
Later on Friday, Panton announced special authorisation for supermarkets and hardware stores to open from 6am to 4pm, Sunday, in order to give shoppers a last chance to stock up on vital supplies.
British navy ship on the way
The Royal Navy ship, HMS Medway, in the region to assist British territories in times of crisis, was making its way to Cayman, Friday afternoon, and is on standby to assist if needed.
A four-person UK Ministry of Defence team was also arriving in Cayman the same day to assist within the islands’ National Emergency Operations Committee, according to the Governor.
Meanwhile the Cayman Islands Regiment is preparing to mobilise with the 100-strong force on hand to assist with establishing shelters, evacuating residents and clearing debris and keeping major roads clear in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
The tropical depression is still some way out and it remains possible that Cayman could escape the worst of the impacts.
But Panton urged people to be prepared.
“The dangers of a hurricane are many and varied – from strong winds to high, crashing waves and dangerous storm surge.
“The best remedy against risk is preparation. No two storms are the same, and everyone should take all precautions necessary to safeguard their loved ones and property.”
Rush to the stores
Around the island Friday, it appeared that few were leaving much to chance. The roads were gridlocked as residents packed the aisles of supermarkets and hardware stores to stock up on supplies.
At homes and condos, outdoor furniture was being moved inside and shutters were already going up as Cayman battens down the hatches.
Governor Martyn Roper said the islands’ leaders and UK counterparts were hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
“The current forecast is for possible cat 1 hurricane force winds in some areas of Grand Cayman,” he wrote in a Facebook message.
“But we should all be ready just in case it is worse than this and prepare accordingly. We have seen extreme weather events across the world. Climate change is real and feeding greater intensity and strength of adverse weather globally,” he said.
The HMS Medway, with its crisis response troop on board, along with skilled engineers, medics, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief equipment and supplies, will be able to restore the airport, provide utilities support and fresh water and food stores if needed, he said.
A second naval ship is currently in Turks and Caicos and could be redeployed if necessary.
“It is normal practice and also very important in these situations to over prepare and then pare back as needed,” said Roper.
Shelters will open Sunday
Danielle Coleman, director of Hazard Management which co-ordinates Cayman’s emergency response, said the national preparations were well under way Friday. The National Emergency Operations Centre will be activated from 4pm Sunday.
Six hurricane shelters on Grand Cayman will open from 2pm Sunday, she said.
The storm is still relatively disorganised but has potential to ‘ramp up’ as it approaches Cayman, said Coleman, emphasising that the disaster management team was prepared for any contingency but hopeful that the islands could avoid a major impact.
Grand Cayman’s hurricane shelters are at West Bay Primary, Bodden Town Primary, John Gray and Clifton Hunter high Schools, East End Civic Center and the Red Cross headquarters. The Aston Rutty centre is the main shelter for the Brac while the Public Works Department building on Little Cayman can be used as an emergency shelter.
Regiment ready to mobilise
Regiment commander Simon Watson said a full mobilisation of all reservists
was expected within the next 48 hours.
“We have 100 men and women ready to support the emergency services, government agencies and the public.”
He urged everyone to follow the advice of Hazard Management and avoid bulk panic buying Friday to allow everyone to stock up on essential items.
Power outages are expected during the storm and CUC will have engineers on hand to quickly repair damage and restore electricity as soon as it is safe to do so.
Government, in a press release, warned residents in low-lying and flood prone areas to plan ahead and pay attention to official information sources for shelter options.
The Cayman Islands Coast Guard issued a warning to boaters to stay off the water before, during and after the storm.
Commander Robert Scotland said, “Storms produce incredible winds and waves. We are urging the community to remain off the water throughout the weekend. During the height of a storm, our capacity to conduct rescues may be limited or non-existent, but our staff is prepared to respond to crises as soon as the storm has passed.”
Police: Be safe on the roads
Amid the last minute rush for supplies, police urged motorists to be cautious.
Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton said drivers should be extra careful and use headlights when out in the rain.
“We need to avoid as many collisions as possible while you are out preparing for the impending weather,” he said.
Government buildings secured
Teams from Public Works were also out on Friday shuttering all “Class A” buildings and preparing to do the remainder of government buildings on Saturday.
Acting Director Troy Whorms said that the department, in conjunction with the National Roads Authority, had stress tested for hurricane season in May, in particular having “checked and started standby generators and verified that cistern water levels were at an acceptable level and state”.
Equipment capable of road-clearing and emergency repairs has also been stationed in each district, the NRA confirmed.
Managing Director Edward Howard said the agency had serviced vacuum trucks and other drainage equipment ahead of hurricane season.
“We have cleaned and cleared existing culvert systems in a number of areas including Rex Crighton Boulevard, South Sound, Esterley Tibbets Highway, among others. In addition, since August last year, we installed close to one hundred and fifty new wells to address drainage and flooding issues,” he said.
Key information streams
CaymanCompass.com, Caymanprepared.ky, Gov.ky, Compass radio stations and Radio Cayman
Last minute advice:
- Clear debris, outdoor furniture and other items from yards that could become airborne in high winds
- Put up hurricane shutters
- Get supplies of non-perishable food and a gallon of water / person per day in sealed containers for at least three days
- Fill vehicle with gas
- Ensure you have a battery operated radio and flashlight
- Activate family emergency plans
Source: Hazard Management
For the latest information on storm activity in the Cayman Islands, as well as information on how to prepare for hurricane season, visit Storm Centre.
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