News

7AM UPDATE:

The National Emergency Operations Centre, in consultation with the National Weather Service, has declared Grand Cayman All Clear of Tropical Storm Ida with effect from 6a.m.

The Sister Islands, which have been experiencing strong wind, heavy rain and significant power outages, are expected to remain under a Tropical Storm Warning until later this morning.

Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, who chairs the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), says the decision to issue the All Clear for Grand Cayman, was taken after consideration of the apparent overnight impacts and forecast path of the storm. Emergency response agencies working across the Islands also provided insights into the conditions they were experiencing across the island.

Mr Manderson commented: “Our next steps on Grand Cayman will be to focus on completing the damage assessment process. We will also be carefully monitoring the situation in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman as Tropical Storm Ida continues to move away from those Islands.”

“During this time, we urge persons there to stay indoors and exercise caution until the All Clear is given, confirming that the threat is past and it is safe to move around.”

The four hurricane shelters which opened on Grand Cayman yesterday afternoon are set to close later this morning. Officials report that some 20 people sought shelter overnight

Aston Rutty Centre on Cayman Brac is also open, as is the Public Works Department Building on Little Cayman.

Updated local weather information is expected from the National Weather Service shortly after 7 a.m. and again at 10 a.m. The National Emergency Operations Council will continue to review the situation of Little Cayman and Cayman at those times and will update the public of any change of status.

The NEOC which operates on Grand Cayman has already begun winding down its operations.

Civil Servants are expected to report to work at 9a.m.

Flood and marine warnings remain in effect for the Cayman Islands. The National Weather Service has noted that there is the potential for up to 10 inches of rainfall between Thursday and Saturday. The forecast also points to wave heights of up to 10 feet.

NEOC notes that roads on Grand Cayman are wet and urges drivers to exercise caution.

6AM UPDATE: 

The Head of Hazard Management Cayman Islands says the 'All Clear' will be given for Grand Cayman at 6am. The Sister Islands are experiencing stronger conditions and the all clear will not be in affect there. The NEOC will assess later this morning. Regular civil service functions in Grand Cayman will commence at 9am.

4AM UPDATE: 

Ida is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h) and this general motion should continue over the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Ida will move away from the Cayman Islands this morning, pass near or over the Isle of Youth and western Cuba later today, and over the southeastern and central Gulf of Mexico tonight and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts, and additional steady to rapid strengthening is expected during the next few days. Ida is forecast to become a hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico in a day or two, and to be at or near major hurricane strength when it approaches the northern Gulf coast.

A Tropical Storm warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands

1AM UPDATE: 

On the forecast track, the center of Ida will pass through the Cayman Islands during the next few hours, pass near or over the Isle of Youth and western Cuba later today, and over the southeastern and central Gulf of Mexico tonight and Saturday. The system is forecast to approach the U.S. northern Gulf coast on

Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Ida is forecast to become a hurricane over the southeastern

Gulf of Mexico in a day or two with additional strengthening expected thereafter. Ida could be near major hurricane strength when

it approaches the northern Gulf coast.

A Tropical Storm warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Islands National Weather Service will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

1230AM UPDATE: The latest forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) suggests that tropical storm conditions, associated with the passage of Tropical Storm Ida through the Cayman Islands area, will begin impacting Little Cayman area at midnight and Grand Cayman at 1a.m.

The updated forecast is the result of yet another change to the track of the tropical storm, that will bring it within five miles of Grand Cayman, at around 3 a.m., Friday morning, 27 August. By this time sustained winds could reach 38 knots. It is expected that these tropical storm force conditions will continue in Grand Cayman until around 7 a.m.

Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, who chairs the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), urged members of the public take the storm seriously and hunker down in their homes and residences until the all clear is given.

“We urge everyone to stay off the roads and stay at home for their safety and that of emergency responders. This storm has been extremely unpredictable and it is important that we continue to stay vigilant and exercise extreme caution until it is past,” commented the Deputy Governor

Four hurricane shelters have opened on Grand Cayman including: Sir John A. Cumber Primary School in West Bay, the Red Cross building on Huldah Avenue, Clifton Hunter High School in Frank Sound, and the Elliott Connolly Civic Centre in Gun Bay, East End. All but the Red Cross building are accessible to persons with disabilities, and Clifton Hunter is an animal shelter.

Aston Rutty Centre on Cayman Brac is open as is the Public Works Department Building on Little Cayman.

Updated local weather information is expected from the National Weather Service shortly after 4 a.m. The National Emergency Operations Council will meet following the local forecast and share any new information on its response to T.S. Ida around 5.30-6a.m. local time.

Flood and marine warnings remain in effect for the Cayman Islands. The National Weather Service has noted that there is the potential for up to 12 inches of rainfall between Thursday and Saturday. The forecast also points to wave heights of up to 10 feet.

(GIS)