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 Compass will be updating this article regularly to inform readers of event cancellations and postponements, and businesses, organisations or government entities that will be impacted by the impending storm.
Airports
Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman, Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac and Edward Bodden Airfield on Little Cayman have been closed.
The Cayman Islands Airports Authority said on Tuesday evening that airport operations will resume on Wednesday, with Owen Roberts opening at 9am, and Charles Kirkconnell back in operation at noon.
Any changes to flights on Wednesday will be announced by Cayman Airways and other airlines.
“Passengers affected by flight cancellations due to this storm will be accommodated on flights to be scheduled after the ‘all clear’ is given by the Cayman Islands Government, and applicable airports reopen,” Cayman Airways said.
Schools
The Ministry of Education has announced that all educational institutions will remain
closed on Wednesday.
It said the decision, made on Tuesday afternoon, came as a Hurricane Warning remained in effect for the Cayman Islands.
The ministry stated that it would issue a further update once the ‘all clear’ is given.
Garbage collection and landfills
The Department of Environmental Health has announced that garbage collection services will resume and all landfills will reopen on Wednesday.
“Residents are asked to exercise patience and understanding as the DEH teams resume work and continue to remain committed to providing their regular service,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
With garbage collections cancelled on Tuesday due to the passage of Hurricane Rafael, there is expected to be a knock-on effect on the regular schedule, so residents should expect at least a one-day delay to normal pick-ups.
The DEH is encouraging members of the public to use the 24-hour drop-off site at the entrance of the George Town landfill, which will remain open to facilitate the disposal of small amounts of waste from residential customers, if necessary.
Hospitals
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority will resume all scheduled services and clinics in Grand Cayman on Wednesday.
Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac has temporarily relocated to the Aston Rutty Medical Wing. To contact A&E, p eople can call244-7643.
Little Cayman Health Centre can be reached at 345-916-5395 in an emergency.
Sister Islands operation updates will be provided following the passing of the storm, the HSA said.
Service at other hospitals on Grand Cayman are expected to resume as normal on Wednesday.
Stores
All grocery stores on Grand Cayman are expected to resume normal operations on Wednesday.
Courts
The courts will reopen on Wednesday, the Judicial Administration stated on Tuesday evening. For further information, contact Grand Court clerks on 323-0341 or the Civil Registry Help Desk on 244-3842 or [email protected].
Government offices
All non-essential government offices and services were closed on Tuesday.
West Bay Police Station
As of 5pm Tuesday, the West Bay Police Station had temporarily relocated to John A Cumber Primary School on Fountain Road, where it will remain until the ‘all clear’ has been issued.
Banks
Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Ltd, Cayman National Bank Ltd, CIBC Caribbean, Proven Bank (Cayman) Limited, Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Limited and RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Ltd. were closed on Tuesday. The Cayman Islands Bankers Association, in a statement, said that retail banks will be reopen as soon as practically possible following the ‘all-clear’ from the Cayman Islands Government.
Cayman Airways change-fee waivers
Cayman Airways has implemented a change-fee waiver for customers who want to voluntarily change their plans to travel to, from, and between the Cayman Islands.
- Tickets must have been purchased on/before 3 Nov.
- Travel must have been scheduled for flights departing between 4-7 Nov.
- New travel dates must be rebooked by 14 Nov.
- New travel dates must commence by 14 Nov. and must be completed by 7 Dec. or by the original return date.
- Tickets were purchased on/before 3 Nov.
- Travel was scheduled between 4-7 Nov.
For more information, visit the Cayman Airways website.
The Cayman Turtle Centre will remain closed on Tuesday until the ‘all clear’.
Water Authority
Water Authority – Cayman has advised that its office in Grand Cayman will open as normal on Wednesday, 6 Nov., at 8:30am. The Cayman Brac Operations and Customer Service Office will remain closed to carry out damage assessments and any necessary repairs.
Lionfish cull
The Cayman United Lionfish League (CULL) tournament, scheduled for this weekend, 9-10 Nov., has been postponed due to the weather. A new date will be announced later.
Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night
A Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night, scheduled for Tuesday evening, has been postponed until 6:30pm on Friday, 8 Nov., according to organisers the Dragon Bay Sailing Club and Island Soul.
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