The Compass will be updating this article throughout the week to inform readers of event cancellations and postponements, and businesses, organisations or government entities that will be impacted by the impending storm.
Hospitals and clinics
The Health Services Authority said on Tuesday that it will be closing its Grand Cayman morning services, including elective surgeries, outpatient clinics, pharmacies, district health centres, urgent care, therapy services, mental health, phlebotomy, radiology, dental and eye clinics.
Patients will be contacted directly to reschedule appointments.
The HSA said it would reevaluate the weather conditions at noon and will advise the public accordingly.
The A&E at George Town Hospital will still operate 24 hours, but persons are reminded to stay home unless it is a true medical emergency.
For the Sister Islands, there are regular services and operating hours for all HSA clinics and services.
Doctors Hospital says it plans to open for scheduled appointments after 10am, but will update on social media as it monitors weather conditions. The hospital says patients with appointments before 10am will be contacted by a member of its care centre team to discuss rescheduling.
Health City says all its outpatient department services and elective procedures will be suspended until 11am Tuesday, after which time the hospital will reassess the situation.
Doctors Express has advised that it is closed today.
Meals on Wheels
The ongoing storm has impact deliveries of Meals on Wheels to homes throughout the island.
The charity says there will be no deliveries today. However, if the tropical storm warning is lifted and road conditions improve, it may operate, but on a smaller scale.
Its office is closed, but staff are working remotely to assist, Meals on Wheels advised.
Airports closed
The Cayman Islands Airports Authority has announced that Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac are closing as of 9pm Monday night, following the departure of the night’s last flight.
The airports will reopen once the ’all clear’ has been issued and airport facilities and infrastructure damage assessments have been completed.
The authority advised passengers to contact their airlines directly for any flight-related inquiries and updates.
Schools closed
All government schools, as well as the University College of the Cayman Islands, will remain closed on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education has advised.
Cayman Prep and High, Cayman International School, St. Ignatius and other private schools will also be closed on Tuesday.
Banks closed
All banks in Cayman will be closed on Tuesday, the Cayman Island Bankers’ Association has announced.
The banks will reopen once the ‘all-clear’ has been issued.
In the meantime, people are being advised to use ATMs and online banking.
Government offices
Government offices will be closed on Tuesday, following the issuance of a tropical storm warning on Monday night, according to a government announcement.
All court cases adjourned
Following the issuance of a tropical storm warning on Monday evening, the judiciary has announced that all cases before the courts on Tuesday will be adjourned “to ensure the safety of all court staff, jurors, attorneys and the public”.
The cases affected by the adjournment will be rescheduled and new dates communicated to all relevant parties in due course, the judiciary stated.
Acting Chief Magistrate Allard has advised that all criminal and traffic cases on the Summary Court list for today will move to next Tuesday, 1 Oct.
DVDL inspections and exams
The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing has closed its vehicle inspection facilities until further notice, due to the forecast weather conditions. Driver examinations are also being rescheduled, at no cost to affected applicants, the DVDL says.
In a statement issued Monday, the department said, “The safety of our staff and the public is of utmost importance, and due to the weather, it is not possible to safely perform vehicle inspections or conduct road exams for drivers.”
Cayman Airways flights cancelled
All Cayman Airways flights on Tuesday have been cancelled, the airline has advised.
However, CAL said it anticipated that a single inbound flight from Havana to Grand Cayman, KX835, late on Tuesday, weather permitting, will be operated with the approval of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority.
All other flights will resume once the ‘all clear’ is given by the Cayman Islands government, and the local airports reopen.
Passengers affected by the flight cancellations will be accommodated on flights scheduled for Wednesday, and will be directly notified regarding the changes, the airline said.
Cayman Airways says it is waiving applicable change fees for passengers who wish to voluntarily adjust their travel plans. Those details can be found on the Cayman Airways website.
The airline is also urging passengers with tickets for travel this week to ensure their reservations contained accurate contact details, including an email address and phone number, so staff could reach them directly with any updates, if necessary. The airline advised that customers can update their contact details by visiting www.caymanairways.com and clicking on ‘Manage My Bookings’, under the main booking window, where they can enter their trip details and then edit their contact details under the ‘Passenger Details’ section.
Garbage collections and landfill operations
The Department of Environmental Health is not operating garbage collections and other solid waste operations, with all landfills being closed. It will not be accepting derelict vehicles, scrap metals, or used oil until further notice, the DEH has advised.
The 24-hour drop-off site at the entrance of the George Town landfill will remain open to facilitate the disposal of small amounts of waste from residential customers, if necessary.
DEH Assistant Director, Solid Waste, Mike Haworth, said in a statement at lunchtime Monday said the forecast arrival times of inclement weather conditions coincide with staff being at work. “We have to consider the health and well-being of our staff, therefore Solid Waste operations in the three islands will cease at the end of today (Monday) and recommence on Wednesday,” he said.
As a result, there will be no garbage collections on Tuesday. This, in turn, will impact the ordinary collection schedule, potentially causing a delay of at least one day.
For additional information, contact DEH at 949-6696 or [email protected], or visit its website at or its Facebook page.
Stroke and Stride postponed
The annual Ogier Stroke and Stride race, originally scheduled for Wednesday, 25 Sept., has been postponed due to the incoming weather. Organisers have moved the race to next Wednesday, 2 Oct. For more information, contact [email protected].
Humane Society preparing
The Cayman Islands Humane Society is asking its regular fosters to pick up dogs from the shelter so they can have a “better experience” during the expected thunder and lightning the weather system will bring. However, a full evacuation of the shelter is not anticipated, according to operations manager Samantha Cooper. “I think we’re well prepared,” she told the Compass Monday morning, adding that the shelter has sandbags left over from Hurricane Beryl, as well as donations of reusable sacks from local company Floodsax Cayman.
Watersports affected
Local watersports operators across Grand Cayman have placed their vessels in safe harbour, as high seas impact the island. A tropical storm warning remained in effect Tuesday morning, with strong to near-gale winds expected.
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