News
Cayman Islands Adds Hurricane Watch to TS Warning
Update 4PM:
The National Hazard Management Council, in consultation with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, announced at 4p.m. today that the Cayman Islands has added a Hurricane Watch to its already declared Tropical Storm Warning.
National Weather Service Director General John Tibbetts said the Government decided to take the step out of an abundance of caution as Tropical Storm Grace is expected to become a category one hurricane as it moves out of the Cayman Islands area.
“The combination of a hurricane watch with a tropical storm warning means that in addition to experiencing tropical storm winds within the next 24 hours, it is possible, but not likely, that we will also experience hurricane force winds”. Mr Tibbetts explained.
“It is important that everyone understands that even a tropical storm is dangerous and has the potential to cause loss of life. As a result it is important for us all to follow public safety messaging, avoid coastlines, refrain from non-essential journeys and stay informed on everything that is happening, until the all-clear can be given”.
The National Emergency Operations Centre, which coordinates the Cayman Islands response to a national disaster, will begin operations at 5pm, and work past the all clear.
The NEOC helpline, tel. 949-6555, is being operated by members of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps until stood down. The Mental Health tel. 18005346463 will also be operating from 9am-5pm.
Update 1pm:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 24 hours
On the forecast track, the center of Grace will continue to move near the northern coast of Jamaica this afternoon. Grace is forecast to move just southwest of Grand Cayman late tonight and early
Wednesday, and then approach the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico late Wednesday or early Thursday.
A Flood and Marine Warning is also in effect.
Residents are urged to continue monitoring the development of Tropical Storm Grace.
Update 10am:
Tropical Storm Grace at 10 a.m. was located 18.3 N and 76.8 W, about 219 miles east-southeast of Cayman Brac, 307 miles east of Grand Cayman Tropical Storm Grace has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and is moving towards the west at 15 mph.
On the latest forecast track, the center of Grace is expected to pass south of Little Cayman tonight and just Southwest of Grand Cayman early Wednesday morning. Grace is forecasted to strengthen to near hurricane strength as it moves west of the Cayman area and approaches the Yucatan Peninsula by Wednesday night.
Update 7am:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 36 hours
A general westward to west-northwestward motion is expected for the next several days. On the forecast track, the center of Grace will move near the northern coast of Jamaica this afternoon.
Grace is forecast to move near the Cayman Islands tonight, over Grand Cayman 3 am on Wednesday , and then approach the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico late Wednesday or early Thursday.
A Flood and Marine Warning is also in effect.
Residents are urged to continue monitoring the development of Tropical Depression Grace.
Update 4am:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 24 hours
A general westward to west-northwestward motion is expected for the next several days. Onthe forecast track, the center of Grace will move near the northern coast of Jamaica this afternoon. Grace is forecast to move near the Cayman Islands tonight, over Grand Cayman 3 am on Wednesday , and then approach the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico late Wednesday or early Thursday.
A Flood and Marine Warning is also in effect.
Residents are urged to continue monitoring the development of Tropical Depression Grace.
