Schools closed Monday as tropical storm approaches
(CNS) Updated Sunday night: All government schools will be closed Monday due to anticipated extreme weather tomorrow afternoon, and civil servants will be required to work from home if they can, according to a message issued by Deputy Governor Franz Manderson. A storm is currently moving over Jamaica west-northwest at 10mph and is forecast to become a tropical storm early Monday afternoon, 5 October, as it approaches the Cayman area with winds expected to be around 40mph, according to the local weather service.
The Cayman Islands Government declared a tropical storm warning for the country at 4:00pm on Sunday, 4 October, to give local interests time to prepare for any impact of the storm.
Officials have announced the closure of all government schools on Monday, 5 October, and Tuesday, 6 October.
Weather on Grand Cayman is expected to begin deteriorating from around 1:00 on Monday afternoon, with the onset of tropical storm conditions at 10:00 Monday night. Storm conditions are expected to reach the Sister Islands, and authorities say that the east and north sides of the three islands will feel the brunt of the storm.
Conditions are expected to dissipate around 9:00 on Tuesday morning but heavy rain expected through Tuesday evening with 3-5 inches of rainfall expected. Sea heights are expected to reach 18-25 feet, with wave action impacting coastal areas, although there is no forecast storm surge.
Vessels in harbour at the port of George Town have been advised by the Port Authority to seek safe harbour in the North Sound from Friday evening, 2 October. However, following a meeting of the National Hazard Management Council on Sunday night, officials decided that boat owners should have their vessels either on land or securely moored no later than 10am on Monday.
The Red Cross shelter on Huldah Avenue is on stand-by in the event of flooding, and people isolating at home who may need shelter will be moved to government quarantine facilities. The Needs Assessment Unit will be closed from noon on Tuesday, 6 October.
The Port Authority will open the cargo warehouse on Monday morning but will close at noon to finalise its preparedness measures.
All government events on Monday and Tuesday (5-6 October) are cancelled, including Older Person’s Month activities.
Civil servants who are able to work remotely are advised to do so on Monday and a decision about the closure of civil service offices will be made around mid-day. All private sector businesses whose staff are able to work remotely are encouraged to do the same.
DG Manderson, who chairs the council, said it would be monitoring the situation closely and taking any necessary steps to protect people and property. The council will also provide regular updates on its activities over the next few days.
The Water Authority has said that its offices in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac will be closed on Monday.
Additional information on the potential storm and its impact will be shared this evening following the NHMC meeting.
For the latest weather information visit the Cayman Islands National Weather Service website.
Information on severe weather preparedness is available from Cayman Prepared.
See here for details of the government response and stay tuned to local media.
Category: Science & Nature, Weather
School should be half day at least
Westin live cam is dead. 😢
Any working “live” webcams?
I’ll be going live on my Only Fans later sweetie.
I found one still working https://balticlivecam.com/cameras/united-kingdom/cayman-islands/seven-mile-beach/
Looks nice right now.
Nothing is being removed from the beach.
Let me guess , the Post Office will be closed until further notice?
Is there any way of telling?
It’s a beautiful day to educate our children in the 345
Families, offices and schools all need time to prepare and protect their properties.
If they aren’t prepared by September latest then they have bigger issues to worry about.
“Private sector are encouraged to work from home” – we all know private offices are not going to close. But schools will. Leaving parents in a panic looking for childcare.
7:13. Sorry for you. At some point the private sector will catch up to the civil service. Where employees are actually cared about.
Woddy on rooster this morning claiming CIG is causing panic to justify the regiment. I am really worried about him.
“Sea heights are expected to reach 18-25 feet,”. Is this correct, CNS?
CNS: That’s what was stated in the GIS release.
Wave heights out to sea. Not what we will experience on the shore line.
And it slowed down. Winds not expected until 8pm at the earliest. Gross overreaction courtesy of CIG as usual. A day of school wasted
expectation and reality don’t always line up buddy. better to be safe than sorry.
CIG has to look out for both idiots and small children 👌
Only a country which places no value on education would close schools for two days in the face of 40mph winds. In the real world, these are everyday conditions for many.
So when a student gets injured from flying debris that’ll be another issue? Stop bitching.
Everything is supposed to be safely secured in a territory prone to storms.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), softwood trees will uproot in winds between 73 and 112 mph.
category 3 storms and higher are more likely to snap a tree in half, rather than pull it out of the ground from its roots.
Soil conditions can make a tree more susceptible to windthrow, allowing it to be pulled out of the ground at much lower wind speeds. Sandy soils, soft soils, and waterlogged soils fit this description. Winds as little as 7 to 30 mph can potentially uproot a tree in sandy or waterlogged soil.
Poor you 😭
Branches on many tree types will snap and fall about 15 mph
Fact
Winds not happening until this evening love. If they get hit by flying debris then the school shouldn’t be open during windy season.
You clearly have not been through a Hurricane season. If you did you would know that things could go from 0-100 real quick.
It is good that schools are taking the necessary precautions.
I swear you people find anything to bitch about. If the schools had not closed you would be complaining about that, saying they are endangering children etc.
Good grief.
I disagree. The second a tree branch blows and hits a child in school, it’s over for the ministry of education. That’s why.
Why cancel school- just go remote. That is what the US schools will now be doing with snow days. I know, not as fun!!
9:06 mental health is a serious thing.
Obviously you are new to the island. Any storm must be taken seriously and those that have been through storms here especially Ivan understand that things can change very rapidly (a storm can slow down even halt). Hope you are prepared as some folks thought the same about Ivan and well lets just say they are probably still cleaning up their shit (literally). As the saying goes, better safe than sorry.
Your “real” world does not line up with the reality of living in the hurricane belt.
Not to worry though as the adults will be around to care for your stupid ass if necessary!
What “hurricane belt” ?
anon 0906 we did not close schools for 40 mph we closed schools because of the potential of rapid intensification into a cat 5 hurricane. i would prefer them to be alive to learn.
I think this is a smart decision.
Every year I hear this: “Dot not comin’ here!” And guess what!! About 90% of the time, that ends up being right, however those people aren’t responsible for the safety of anyone. It’s like looking at the NHC forecasts: We weather nerds/hobbyists can take a chance, but nobody depends upon our guesses.
We suffer from flooding with not that much rain. Better to keep everyone home for a day.
Thanks a lot Civil Unions
Funny
I assume private schools are closing as well? Any info on that CNS?
CNS: We have not heard. I suggest contacting the school directly.
6:47 thankfully the public schools have their act together. If you have to ask CNS if a private school is open you may consider moving your child to a better school.
Yep. Any chance to jump at a paid day off
anon 1134 my paid day off was 4 hours of sleep last night
I wonder if all the conspiracy theorists who think the Cayman regiment are here to oppress locals, will accept help from them, should it be required?
I can confirm that we will not.
If they leave their weapons at home.
As a Caymanian who went through Ivan I can you don’t hold your breathe on this regiment or any help for that matter during a hurricane.
They’re are those who know excatly what I speak of. Unless they’re equipped with tanks don’t expect some regimemt to roll in to come save you. In fact don’t excpect them after the hurricane leaves too.