Businesses along the west coast of Grand Cayman were battening down the hatches on Monday, in preparation for incoming rough weather, as the weather service issued a gale warning and predicted waves could reach up to 15 feet.
The Cayman Islands National Weather Service issued a severe weather alert on Monday afternoon, as a strong cold front, followed by a high-pressure system, was forecast to impact Cayman from Monday evening, bringing winds of up to 35 knots.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands said it was likely the high seas would lead to road closures in the George Town Harbour area late on Monday afternoon, including at Seafarers Way and portions of North Church Street.
Dive and fishing boats were moved to safer havens around Grand Cayman, where the winds were expected to be milder than the anticipated gale-force winds overnight Monday and Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service’s bulletin on Monday afternoon, wave heights were forecast to increase to 9-13 feet overnight Monday, with swells of 1-3 feet along the south and west coasts. Strong to near-gale force west-to-northwest winds, of between 25 and 30 knots, were expected to arrive by late evening.
On Tuesday morning, 10-15 feet waves are expected, dropping to 9-13 feet by the afternoon and to 7-9 feet by evening. Swells of 3-5 feet are likely along the western coast. Winds are expected to increase to 30 to 35 knots, with higher gusts in the early morning, though these will decrease to 20-25 knots by evening, the National Weather Service said.
Both a gale and marine warning is in effect.
Coastline hazards
Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman said in a statement that weather conditions overnight and early Tuesday morning were expected to deteriorate quite rapidly.
“We’re expecting some very high seas across the islands, particularly on the west side, with wave heights of anywhere from 9 to 15 feet,” she said. “Of course, this poses some significant risks to anyone near the coastline. We really want to make sure there is no in-water activity going on across the islands.”
She warned against people going to the shoreline to watch the waves. “You really need to understand that they’re incredibly unpredictable,” she said.
She also urged motorists to be aware that there is likely to be debris on the roads, and encouraged people not to drive on roads along the west coast if they can avoid doing so. If they must drive, then she warned, “Exercise extreme caution.”
Restaurants and dive operations close
At waterfront bars and restaurants, like Macabuca in West Bay and Rackam’s, Sunset House and Cayman Cabana in George Town, the outdoor decks were cleared as the roiling waves were already impacting those premises on Monday.
Rackam’s and Cayman Cabana were both closed on Monday. Sunset House remained open, though with limited seating available.
Mel Hart, of Sunset House dive operation, where access to the sea entry had been cordoned off Monday afternoon, said the company had moved all its boats to safe harbour at three different locations.
“It’ll be wet all the way back to here tomorrow morning,” she said, indicating the steps to the dive shop beside the car park.
While high waves were striking George Town and West Bay Monday afternoon, they are expected to be much higher by Tuesday morning.
All shore diving operations along the west coast were closed Monday, with most having pulled their ladders up on Sunday evening.
Sergio Coni, of Don Foster’s Dive, on South Church Street, said his operation would be closed on Monday and Tuesday, and likely on Wednesday, too. “But we will go day by day,” he said.
He sent one of his boats to South Sound and the other to Snug Harbour canal, he said.
Joanna Mikutowicz of West Bay dive operation Divetech said her outfit had cancelled all its boat dives for Monday and Tuesday and had also closed its shore sites at Lighthouse Point and Cobalt Coast on both days.
“We might have been able to squeeze in a trip on the north wall this morning or allowed some shore diving first thing this morning but when this weather comes in, it comes in fast and I did not want to risk being out on the boat or having customers in the water and risk their safety if it rolled in early,” she said.
Christina Moxam, of Cayman Cabana bar and restaurant, said it made the call not to open Monday in light of the worsening weather.
“We had to pack up our entire lower deck [Sunday], so we spent a few hours with our full team taking down all the lights, the sails, taking in all of our furniture, making sure we were secure,” she said. “We’re closed [Monday] so there’s a loss of business.”
She added, “[Tuesday], we’re pretty sure we’re going to be closed as well…. but we’re always remaining hopeful. … Hopefully we can reopen for regular operations by Wednesday. If [Tuesday] goes OK, we’ll open our upper deck for dinner service but it’s still up in the air, you just don’t know.”
Cruise ships skip Cayman
Cruise ships have also been impacted by the weather, with at least three cancelling their stops in Cayman due to the weather.
The Norwegian Jade cruise ship had been scheduled to dock in Cayman Monday, but skipped the stop, while the Carnival Pride and Disney Dream, which were scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, will not be stopping here, according to the Port Authority website. As of Monday afternoon, the Ruby Princess with 3,000 passengers, was still scheduled to stop in Cayman Tuesday, so would be likely to moor at Spotts rather than in George Town.
Safety precautions
In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Cayman Islands government recommended the following safety precautions:
- No in-water activity: Residents are urged to refrain from engaging in any in-water activities on all three Islands.
- Unpredictable and varying wave heights pose potential hazards: Stay well back from shore, particularly along the George Town Harbour and Seven Mile Beach.
- Vessel safety: All maritime vessels are recommended to remain in safe harbour and securely anchored until further notice.
- Limited activity along the western shore: Residents are advised to minimise outdoor activities along the western shore to ensure personal safety.
- Avoid driving through standing water: Motorists are cautioned against driving through standing water, as it may be deeper than anticipated.
- Awareness of debris: Exercise caution and be vigilant for debris on roads, particularly in areas prone to high winds and rough seas.
For the latest information on storm activity in the Cayman Islands, visit Storm Centre.
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