Topic: Hazard Management Cayman Islands
Hurricane season starts today: Is Cayman ready for the next storm?
Officials from Hazard Management and the National Weather Service say hurricane forecasts are improving, and the work continues across Government, the private sector and volunteer agencies to build resilience in the Cayman Islands
Cayman mobilises Hurricane Melissa disaster relief efforts to help Jamaica
Even prior to the hurricane making landfall, organisations across the Cayman Islands were planning relief operations to assist the people of Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Satellite decision will boost Cayman communications
The Utility Regulation and Competition Office has created a regulatory framework that allows satellite firms to sell telecom services on the islands.
Download the emergency alert app
To keep the community safe in a disaster, Hazard Management Cayman Islands has a mobile app to deliver real-time emergency notifications about major incidents.
Residents...
Public shelters
A vital part of every family or individual’s disaster plan, is where to shelter should a hurricane hit.
If your home is hurricane-proof and in...
The Cayman Islands tsunami risk
In September 2023, the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) assessed the Cayman Islands’ risk for a tsunami, using 36 potential earthquake scenarios...
Surviving an earthquake
Preparing for, and knowing what to do during and after an earthquake, can prevent injury and save lives.
BEFORE
• Secure items such as pictures, televisions...
Cayman ramps up planning ahead of hurricane season
Hurricane season begins on 1 June and organisations like Hazard Management Cayman Islands have been ramping up the planning and preparedness message.
Tsunami: Mapping the risk
Mitigating Cayman's tsunami danger will involve mapping efforts, public education and getting the islands' tsunami sensor back in operation.
After the quake, what is the real threat to Cayman from tsunamis?
The tsunami scare on Saturday raises the question of how much of a risk do tsunamis pose for the Cayman Islands?
Small earthquake tremor felt in Grand Cayman
The United States Geological Survey has confirmed that at 9:22pm, a 4.3 magnitude tremor occurred 42 miles southwest of George Town.
Earthquake response tested in regional emergency training
Members of the regional Event Horizon contingent put their relief skills to the test on the final day of the disaster response exercise.
How big is the risk? Amid earthquake murmurs, experts warn against alarmism
Earthquakes are sometimes more challenging to prepare for than other hazards, because they happen infrequently.
Remembering Ivan: The Ivan effect
Dani Coleman, director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands, outlines what has been done since Hurricane Ivan to increase the territory’s readiness for disasters.
Emergency alert to be activated to mark Hurricane Ivan anniversary
The National Emergency Notification System app, known as NENS, will issue an alert as part of a planned exercise to mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan on Wednesday, 11 Sept.
Residents trickle into hurricane shelters
Organisers spent Wednesday afternoon preparing 20-some hurricane shelters for residents as Hurricane Beryl approaches the Cayman Islands.
Flood response shows lack of community readiness
Cayman's hazard readiness was put to the test on Monday, 10 June when persistent heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding in Grand Cayman. The...
Residents assess water damage as Cayman recovers from deluge
Business largely returned to usual on Tuesday following three days of heavy rain, heralding the beginning of hurricane season.
National Day of Preparedness 2024: Community urged to get hurricane ready
As Cayman marks National Day of Preparedness on Discovery Day Hazard Management Cayman Islands is urging the community to use the time to get themselves hurricane season ready.
Humanitarian vessel MV DAWN calls on Cayman
Self-sufficient humanitarian Motor Vessel DAWN has dropped anchor in George Town Harbour and will be part of a special joint disaster response and preparedness exercise hosted by Hazard Management Cayman Islands.
Premier focuses on Cayman’s hurricane readiness at US conference
With the kickoff of the 2024 hurricane season two months away, Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly says she has prioritised the islands’ emergency readiness, increasing hurricane shelter space and improving support to vulnerable communities during disasters.
Expected rough seas prompt small craft warning for Easter
The National Weather Service has issued a small craft warning for the weekend as a weakening cold front entering the area will cause rough seas over the Easter holiday.
Roads reopen as Cayman counts cost of historic Nor’wester
All road closures implemented in George Town and West Bay following rough seas have been lifted, the RCIPS has said.
Schools to reopen, road closures extended
Road closures along the waterfront and in West Bay have been extended through to Wednesday as rough sea conditions persist in the Cayman Islands.
West Bay Church gets $450,000 grant for hurricane shelter project
The long-under-construction Church of God Chapel in West Bay has been given a $450,000 grant from the Ministry of Social Development to help it complete a designated emergency shelter.
Smart tech early flood-warning system in the works
The Hazard Management Cayman Islands team has embarked on a pilot project to create a technology-based early detection warning system to alert the public about potential flooding in urban areas.
Regional disaster responders converge in Cayman
Joint disaster response capabilities were at the centre of discussions between Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Jamaica Defence Force officials and members of a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team currently on island.
Jamaica assessing damage after earthquake
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called for calm in the aftermath of a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that rocked the island Monday morning.
RAF Globemaster touches down in Cayman
The UK Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster stopped in Cayman this week, in a display of the capability of the plane to provide hurricane season support to the region.
Record sea temperatures threaten corals and raise hurricane concern
Sea-surface temperatures around Cayman are breaking seasonal records and sparking fears of a major coral bleaching event or a significant hurricane this season.
Search for cause of ‘massive’ explosion that rocked Newlands home
Fire Service crews have launched an investigation into a "massive" explosion on Monday that left four people injured.
Rush to repair radar before hurricane season
The problem with Cayman's weather radar, which has been down since March, has been identified and a replacement part has been ordered, according to National Weather Service Director General John Tibbetts.
Tsunami exercise sees mixed success
Hazard Management Cayman Islands is asking the public to get in touch if they had problems with the tsunami alert app during the latest exercise on Thursday morning, 23 March.
Suspected explosive device washes ashore in Bodden Town
Police have cordoned an area along the beach in Bodden Town following the discovery of a suspected explosive device Monday evening.
Weather experts to test impact of 100,000 possible hurricanes on Cayman
Extensive seabed mapping data will enable Cayman Islands authorities to predict the likely impact of almost any hurricane, Hazard Management officials believe.
Fire at George Town landfill
Cayman Islands Fire Service crews are currently battling a fire at the George Town landfill, Hazard Management Cayman Islands has confirmed.
Tropical depression expected to form later today
Forecasters are projecting a low pressure system located about 150 miles east of Barbados to develop into a tropical depression later today.
The Resh Hour with Hazard Management Cayman Islands
Reshma Ragoonath sits down with Danielle Coleman, Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands and Simon Boxall, Public Awareness and Education Officer/ Acting Deputy Director (of HMCI) to discuss the 2021 hurricane season and how best the Cayman Islands can prepare for it.
What’s on the horizon for the 2021 hurricane season?
Tuesday marks the official start of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season and across Cayman, people are bracing for what forecasters anticipate will be another above-average season.
March roll-out planned for emergency notification system
Phase two of Cayman’s National Emergency Notification System is expected to be launched within the next two months, according to Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman.
Tropical wave puts Cayman on alert
Cayman Islands residents should monitor the progress of an active tropical wave currently located over the central Caribbean Sea, advised Hazard Management Cayman Islands on Monday.
Cayman Regiment reservists showcase skills
Reservists with the Cayman Regiment reservists put their training to the test this week as they ran through a mock hurricane exercise, together with aerial support from the RCIPS Air Operations Unit.
108 days: Inside Cayman’s COVID-19 response
The National Emergency Operation Centre has been the central organ coordinating Cayman’s COVID-19 response for 108 days and has since been deactivated. The Cayman Compass takes a look inside the operations of the entity behind the response.
Hurricane COVID: Cayman prepares for a storm season like no other
With the 1 June start of hurricane season just two weeks away, emergency planners must grapple with a potentially active storm season, combined with the complications of COVID-19. For government, this prospect is a source of anxiety but also a call to action.
Emergency hospitals established for pandemic response
Two emergency field hospitals will serve for patient overflow in Grand Cayman, in the case that COVID-19 cases stretch capacity at local hospitals. The hope is that Cayman will never need to use the facilities, said Hazard Management Director Danielle Coleman, but the aim is to prepare for worst.
Small earthquake felt in Grand Cayman
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded Sunday southeast of Grand Cayman at 1:35pm. Hazard Management Cayman Islands wrote that it had received reports of small earthquake tremors and more information would follow.
Updated: Government urges public not to panic buy
To dispel rumours of supply shortages, Hazard Management Cayman Islands has confirmed that freight ships carrying food supplies and household products continue to arrive on island as normal.
Cayman opens emergency operations centre amid virus fears
Cayman has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre in response to the coronavirus threat, the government announced Tuesday evening.
Updated: 4.4 earthquake shakes Cayman
Grand Cayman was rattled by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake on Wednesday evening, which was reportedly felt by residents from the eastern districts to West Bay.
Residents urged to stay vigilant after quake
Hazard Management CI officials have urged Cayman Island residents to prepare accordingly for aftershocks.
Hazard Management prepared for disaster
We at Hazard Management Cayman Islands would like to draw residents’ attention to the National Hazard Management Plan, which is located on the website...
Emergency-alerts upgrade moves to second phase
Government has started its second phase of upgrades to Cayman’s National Emergency Notification System, which includes creating a mobile app for national alerts.
Magnitude 5 earthquake shakes up Cayman
A magnitude 5 earthquake rocked Cayman in the early hours of Monday morning.
Residents from East End to George Town and West Bay reported feeling...
After Dorian, could we be next?
The onslaught of disastrous storms to hit the region in the last few years aligns with the hypothesis of climate scientists that warming oceans are likely to fuel more destructive hurricanes.
Stronger, slower storms linked to climate change
While the link between climate change and hurricane intensity is not yet ‘settled science’, weather experts say there is evidence that the phenomenon will lead to stronger, slower storms in future.
Test emergency radio broadcasts begin this week
Listeners to Cayman’s radio stations will hear interruptions to their usual programmes over three days in the coming week as the islands’ National Emergency Notification System is tested.
Update: Tropical Storm Dorian poses no threat to Cayman
A tropical depression nearing the Caribbean is forecast to reach hurricane status in coming days. The storm currently poses no threat to the Cayman Islands.
Joint UK/Cayman hurricane exercise
Simulating a response to a major hurricane strike on Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, teams from the Governor’s Office, Hazard Management Cayman Islands, the Royal Cayman Islnds Police Service, 911 and the Government Communications Service took part this week in a joint training exercise with counterparts from the UK and the British High Commission in Kingston.
Annual hurricane exercise to be held this month
Cayman will test its National Hurricane Plan later this month with an exercise dubbed ‘Hurricane Kali’.
Hurricane shelter volunteers sought
Hurricane shelter operators are looking for 100 volunteers to help man the sites in the event of major storms in the upcoming hurricane season, which begins on June 1.
Hazard Management stages tsunami drill
What would happen if a gigantic wave was barrelling toward Grand Cayman and there were only two hours to prepare for its arrival? Hazard Management Cayman Islands tackled that scenario on Thursday, when it participated in the regional Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise.
Cayman officials meet to craft earthquake plan
Cayman’s earthquake preparedness took a step forward Monday, when representatives of public and private agencies met with foreign experts on disaster management.
Government agencies receive mass-casualty training
About 40 people in Grand Cayman are receiving training in mass-casualty management and incident command systems this week, according to Hazard Management Cayman Islands.
Tropical Storm Kirk expected to weaken by weekend
There’s a newly invigorated storm on the horizon, but analysts do not expect it to threaten Cayman.
New study shows slower moving hurricanes more dangerous
A new scientific study shows that tropical cyclones are moving more slowly than in years past.
Brac emergency response team set up
Cayman Brac now has its own Community Emergency Response Team.
Mock casualty exercise helps prepare Cayman for disasters
Cayman’s emergency services held a mock mass casualty exercise at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex Friday night – the culmination of a week of disaster preparation work with Hazard Management Cayman Islands and the Pan American Health Organization.
Hurricane shelter volunteers wanted
The Department of Children and Family Services and Hazard Management Cayman Islands are inviting people to sign up as hurricane shelter volunteers for the 2018 hurricane season.
Agency tests tsunami response with drill
Officials with Hazard Management Cayman Islands prepared for a tsunami on Thursday, generated by a magnitude 8.1 earthquake off the coast of Columbia at 9 a.m. Both the quake and the resultant wave were imaginary. This was only a drill.
Cayman to participate in regional tsunami-response exercise
The Cayman Islands will participate in a regionwide tsunami response exercise on Thursday, according to an announcement from Hazard Management Cayman Islands.
Community Emergency Response training begins on Cayman Brac
The next session of Cayman Brac Community Emergency Response Team training will begin on March 19, and registration is now open.
Cayman working with UK on developing hazmat response
Hazard Management Cayman Islands is developing a plan for dealing with hazardous materials in the territory, the government announced on Friday.
