Some Brackers evacuated on CAL
Cayman Islands’ national airline announced that voluntary evacuations would begin from Cayman Brac Sunday, if conditions and space permitted, for residents who wished to travel to Grand Cayman.
Cayman Airways officials said the flights would be free of charge and offered over the next four days “as operations permit.”
Hurricane Paloma left a trail of destruction on both Little Cayman and Cayman Brac after striking the islands early Saturday with sustained winds of up to 140mph, and higher gusts. Entire houses were destroyed in the storm and many other structures had their roofs damaged or ripped off entirely.
There were injuries reported on the Sister Islands Saturday, but no deaths. Damage to Grand Cayman was relatively minor in comparison after the storm moved around the main island to the east Friday night.
District officials were in the process of determining which Sister Islands’ residents might have to be relocated to Grand Cayman because they had nowhere to stay. It was unknown how many people had been left homeless by the storm.
While damage assessment and assistance efforts continued on Cayman Brac, residents in Grand Cayman pitched in to help out the beleaguered Sister Islands.
Between 10 and 15 tons of water, food and equipment was loaded on board the Carib Eagle, a craft usually used to transport cruise ship passengers to the George Town dock. It was converted into a barge to bring supplies to Cayman Brac.
Donations to those left homeless or without supplies were made at Harbour House in Prospect throughout the day by companies and individuals. In fact, so many donations came in that government officials had to ask people to stop making them by Sunday afternoon. Supplies to the Brac would be distributed by the district administration office there.
Harbour House owner Adrien Briggs also planned to send two fishing boats loaded with ice to the Sister Islands as well.
“They’re going to need ice,” Mr. Briggs said. “Primarily (on the Carib Eagle) we’ve got water, food, generators and gas dispensers.”
Chamber of Commerce CEO Wil Pineau said truckloads of supplies from wholesalers and retail stores had come in throughout the day to Harbour House, along with cars and SUVs of private individuals.
The Carib Eagle was due to depart at 6pm Sunday, arriving in Cayman Brac at about 4am Monday.
Other agencies were also sending aid over to the Sister Islands Sunday.
A medical team of ten people flew over to the Brac on the Island Express flight at noon Sunday. The team is composed of the Medical director Dr Greg Hoeksema, HSA acting CEO Lizzette Yearwood, another doctor, psychologist, two nurses, two emergency medical technicians and two facilities people.
“We are bringing over a load of medical supplies including tetnous shos. We have no idea how long we will be there but we will be there as long as they need us,” said Dr. Hoeksema.
Cayman Islands Red Cross workers were attempting to get volunteers and supplies on a flight over to the Brac this weekend, but no clear indication had been given as to when there would be room on CAL twin-prop planes.
“We have some Red Cross volunteers based in the Brac but they are under a lot of stress because they have been there through the whole hurricane and have been traumatised from their own loss. It is really important to send fresh volunteers as soon as possible over there to alleviate some the stress and strain off the volunteers. And we are trying everything we can to get them on flights over there but it has been really difficult,” Red Cross Manager Hemant Balgobin said.
The Red Cross team eventually headed out on the live-aboard dive boat Aggressor Sunday afternoon bringing some relief supplies.
Work was underway Sunday on draining the water that flooded a portion of the Gerrard Smith Airport runway, and officials hoped it would be completed and the flooding alleviated shortly. All efforts are being made to enable jet aircraft operations as soon as possible.
Sister Islands’ District Commissioner Ernie Scott said Saturday that it might be “a few days” before the runway was cleared. Cayman Airways was hoping to have the first commercial flight to Cayman Brac leave at 5.30pm Sunday with a return “mercy flight” to Grand Cayman available on a first come, first served basis.
However, those flights will only occur if the Gerrard Smith runway can be cleared in time. Check back with www.caycompass.com for more updates.
Two RCIPS marine vessels have arrived in Cayman Brac with relief security personnel on board. A curfew for Cayman Brac residents will be in place between the hours of 6pm-6am each day until further notice.
The RCIPS advises Cayman Brac residents that effective this evening, the curfew will begin at 10pm, rather than 6pm, and run until 6am. This change will facilitate relief efforts.
The British ship Waveruler had also arrived Sunday to provide humanitarian assistance.
Other essential relief personnel and government officials will continue to fly Cayman Brac Sunday on the Cayman Airways Twin Otters to assist with initial relief and damage assessment. Caribbean Utilities Company crews, public works employees and LIME workers (formerly Cable and Wireless) were due to arrive later Sunday.
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