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.
The National Weather Service continues to monitor potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which is south of the Cayman Islands, while forecasting up to 9 inches of rain for Grand Cayman and 7 inches for the Sister Islands.
Kerry Powery, NWS chief meteorologist, said the Cayman Islands government is closely monitoring the disturbance for potential impacts, and “flooding continues to be a significant concern”.
Meanwhile, the area of low pressure is becoming more organised and the US National Hurricane Center said in their 11am advisory that a tropical cyclone is likely to form within 36 to 48 hours.
The lack of organisation is making it challenging for forecasters to determine the current motion, but the NHC estimates it is moving northward at 6 miles per hour.
If the forecast holds up, the disturbance is expected to take a more north-northwesterly track, starting in about 24 hours, leaving the Cayman Islands to the east of the centre of circulation, as it moves up towards the Yucatan Channel. It will then head into the Gulf of Mexico where it is expected to strengthen into a hurricane.
The National Weather Service is forecasting accumulated rainfall totals of up to 9 inches for Grand Cayman and 7 inches for the Sister Islands over the next three days.
“Given the uncertainty of the development, there is a chance of even higher rainfall totals,” Powery said. “The peak rainfall accumulation is expected Monday night and throughout this period, frequent rains with occasional periods of heavy showers accompanied by lightning and thunder can be expected. Elevated tides may further exacerbate the situation leading to persistent flooding.”
Strong southerly winds blowing at 28 mph to 34 mph, along with higher gusts, are also forecast for the Cayman Islands, starting late Monday night and continuing through Thursday morning, Powery said.
A small craft warning is in effect Monday and this will be raised to a marine advisory for Tuesday and Wednesday, with estimated wave heights of 8 to 10 feet, primarily along with swells along the south coast, according to Powery.
“We urge everyone to stay informed by following our updates,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman appeared on Radio Cayman and asked residents to exercise extra care on flooded roadways.
Coleman said a Hurricane Hunter aircraft is heading into the disturbance this afternoon and the information gathered in that mission will provide a clearer idea of the threat and help determine Cayman’s preparatory responses.
Tenders moved
David Carmichael, general manager of Caribbean Marine Services, said it had already moved the cruise ship tenders from the anchorage at Southwest Point to the North Sound, commencing at 6am today.
“With strong gusty winds and waves forecast for the southern coast, we decided to seek the protection of the North Sound,” Carmichael told the Compass.
“One of the cruise ships scheduled for Tuesday has already cancelled, but at the present time we still have Freedom of the Seas, MSC Seascape and the Disney Fantasy scheduled to visit the Port of George Town on Tuesday morning. If conditions allow, we will bring the tenders round from the North Sound and operate as normal.”
By lunchtime Monday, an updated Port Authority schedule showed cruise ships which had been scheduled to visit Grand Cayman Tuesday, had cancelled their calls to the island.
With the direction of the wind and waves primarily expected to be southerly or southeasterly, there has been no indication yet whether the west coast of Grand Cayman, including the port and Seven Mile Beach, will be clipped by the swells, as the disturbance heads up and past the Cayman Islands.
However, by mid-morning on Monday, all the boats that typically anchor on the moorings off Lobster Pot had either been pulled out of the water on trailers or sought shelter in the North Sound.
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