Communities in Grand Cayman were hit with severe flooding on Monday, prompting Cayman Islands Regiment reservists to be called in to escort children home from school.
Premier and Minister of Education Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, in a Monday night update on the flooding impact on schools, said facilities through Grand Cayman are being assessed.
However, she said, “Based on current assessments and improving weather conditions, we anticipate a regular school day Tuesday, 11 June. Further education updates will be provided.”
More than 6 inches of rain fell Monday – almost a month’s worth in a day.
According to the National Weather Service, 165mm or 6.49 inches of rain fell in Cayman during the previous 24 hours.
That’s nearly as much as Cayman’s average monthly rainfall of 6.91 inches during the May-November rainy season.
Community comes together
As the rains came down Monday, community volunteers stepped up to aid the Cayman Islands Humane Society, lining up in the torrential downpour to take rescue dogs and cats to safety as the George Town animal shelter battled intruding flood waters.
Humane Society Director Saskia Salden said the Cayman community outreach was “amazing”.
By lunchtime Monday, she said all “social” cats had gone into foster and “all but a few dogs and some puppies with ringworm were left at the shelter.”
Those animals, she said, were kept upstairs, safe and dry.
Meals on Wheels also saw support from volunteers, and together, with the assistance of the Regiment and the Cayman Islands Red Cross, ensured that those waiting on hot meals in their homes did not miss out on something to eat.
Meanwhile, in the worst hit area of Windsor Park, residents enjoyed an almost carnival atmosphere, despite the lake-like flooding around their homes. By the end of the day, people had set up tables in the puddles to play dominoes, and parents carried their giggling kids across the threshold to their homes.
In Bodden Town, children paddled a kayak down the street, even casting a line into the flood waters in a comedic display.
Some residents boarded dinghies and cruised through the flood waters, making lighthearted fun.
Road closures
Overnight road closures remained in place for Agnes Way, East Blvd through to its junction at Walkers Road, and Windsor Park Road through to its junction at Walkers Road.
Both the east and westbound lanes of the Linford Pierson Highway, which was inundated with flood waters, were reopened after being closed for most of Monday.
Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport & Development Jay Ebanks urged everyone to exercise caution and follow road closure signs.
“The National Roads Authority is working diligently to address the significant flooding and road closures caused by the recent heavy rainfall. Our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents,” he said.
Ebanks assured that the NRA, in collaboration with Hazard Management, the 9-1-1 communications centre, and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, was working to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible.
Printer’s Way was also partially cordoned off Monday as a large hole appeared following floods. Logwood Way in Prospect was also affected by a closure.
Rainfall prompts road closures
Hazard Management Cayman Islands opened the Red Cross shelter on Huldah Avenue and the East End Civic Centre for residents impacted by flood waters.
Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, in a message Monday afternoon, said the National Emergency Operations Centre was partially activated in response to the flooding in various parts of Grand Cayman.
“I would like to offer reassurance to the Cayman Islands community that all agencies are providing tactical support and relief to persons in need. Your safety is top priority for myself, my fellow MPs and our responders from the uniformed and medical services,” she said, adding that the NEOC call centre was activated to provide relief and supplies to persons directly affected by flooding.
She urged residents to call the 949-6555 line for assistance. For emergency situations, however, she said residents should call 911.
The Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services allowed all public schools to remain open. By the end of the day, as the flood water rose, however, they sought the assistance of the Regiment to get kids home in flooded areas.
Local retail banks shut doors at their banking centres at 2pm “in light of the severe weather impacting the Cayman Islands”.
The Law Courts also moved cases to Zoom due to the inclement weather and the resulting traffic issues.
At the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing, the Crewe Road office had to be closed following “rainwater intrusion into the main building, particularly affecting the customer lobby”.
The severe weather also impacted Monday’s flights at the Owen Roberts International Airport.
Flights impacted
The Cayman Islands Airports Authority has confirmed that several flights had been diverted and one flight cancelled.
Impacted flights include: Jet Blue 765 diverted to Montego Bay; American Airlines 1300 from Miami diverted back to Miami; American Airlines 301 from Charlotte diverted back to Charlotte; Delta Air Lines from Atlanta diverted to Montego Bay; and Southwest Airlines from Orlando cancelled.
Cayman Airways said weather-related delays from the weekend also continued to impact its flight operations. It has offered to waive change fees for passengers who voluntarily adjust their travel plans.
“Cayman Airways will waive applicable change fees, and fare difference, for travel at a later date. Passengers who wish to cancel their trip will be offered a full refund. Conditions apply,” it said.
The worst of the rainfall over Grand Cayman appeared to be over by Monday night. The National Weather Service forecasted partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers and some thunder, mainly over the Sister Islands, through late Monday night.
“Temperatures will fall to the upper 70’s °F. Winds will be southeast to south at 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts. Seas will be rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet,” the forecast said.
Small craft, the service warned, should exercise caution over the open seas.
Additional reporting by Norma Connolly
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