News
CIG Issues Hurricane Warning for Grand Cayman, Tropical Storm Watch for the Sister Islands
The Government of the Cayman Islands has issued a Hurricane Warning for Grand Cayman as of 1pm today, 24 September 2022.
At this time Cayman Brac and Little Cayman have been issued a Tropical Storm Watch as the storm continues to move to the west.
A hurricane ‘warning’ means that Grand Cayman could begin experiencing tropical storm/hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours.
A tropical storm ‘watch’ means that the Sister Islands could begin to experience tropical storm conditions are likely by the next 36 hours.
Deputy Governor, Hon Franz Manderson stressed the need for preparation:
“The NEOC is being briefed continually by our National Weather Service and Hazard Management Cayman Islands. Even though the system is still a tropical storm, it is forecast to become a hurricane as it nears the Cayman Islands and conditions for strengthening are more conducive. In our assessment, the impact of this system on our Islands could be unpredictable.
“I am therefore urging everyone to use the rest of today to complete your storm preparations if you have not done so already. If you have not yet, please check on, and assist, vulnerable neighbours, family and friends. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to decide where you will ride out the storm. Shelters will open from 2:00 p.m. tomorrow. We expect weather conditions across the Islands to start to worsen from tomorrow evening, so you must be ready to be off the roads and in your place of shelter. Preservation of life is the utmost concern of the Government.”
At 1pm, the centre of Tropical Storm Ian was located near latitude 14.2 ° north and longitude 75.8° west. This puts it at 505 miles south-east of the Grand Cayman.
The system is mving west at near 16 miles per hour, with maximum sustained winds near 45 miles per hour.
On the current forecast track, the closest point of approach places the centre of Tropical Storm Ian at 68 miles south west of Grand Cayman and 172 miles away from the Sister Islands around 6am.
Tropical Storm winds are expected for Grand Cayman by 1am Monday, 26 September morning through 4pm Monday as the system moves more west of the Cayman area. Extremely rough seas accompanied by storm surge are also expected.
Stay informed and be prepared by visiting www.gov.ky and www.caymanprepared.gov.ky or tuning in to Radio Cayman 89.9FM.
