CIG says shelter capacity is adequate for those in need
(CNS): Despite only having enough public hurricane shelter space across the Cayman Islands for about 11.5% of residents, government officials were confident Wednesday that there is adequate room to accommodate all those who will need it as Hurricane Beryl crosses the Cayman Islands tonight and tomorrow morning. Even if people have to squeeze in, no one will be turned away.
Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said that most residences in the Cayman Islands are hurricane safe, and a large enough number of people will be able to stay home, especially if neighbours help each other. She said that visitors would be welcome at the shelters as well.
“We will do whatever is necessary… and because tourism is an integral part… of the Cayman Islands, we will not be turning anyone away, even if we have to do, as the Jamaicans say, ‘small up a little’ and make a space,” she said.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) Director Danielle Coleman pointed out that the 11.5% capacity is actually one of the best levels among the British Overseas Territories, although it cannot accommodate everyone. She said that the hotels where tourists are also act as shelters, so those visitors who did not evacuate will be able to stay and will be accommodated at the public shelters if necessary.
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said that more than 5,000 tourists were in Cayman this week, and more than 1,000 were evacuated on Cayman Airways and other flights.
Coleman said that in addition to the government shelters, many of Cayman’s commercial buildings can also double as shelters and accommodate their staff, and HMCI has trained many private sector staff as shelter wardens. More spaces will be added to the inventory with the completion of the Church of God shelter in Bodden Town and John Gray High School this year. But Coleman said there was “a safe space for everyone who needs it”.
The premier also warned that the authorities will not tolerate lawlessness during or after the impending storm, especially looting. Police Commissioner Kurt Walton is not planning to impose a curfew but he said he can request the governor impose a mandatory lockdown if it is necessary for public safety and security. However, Walton urged people not to venture outside and to adhere to directions to stay in place.
See the full briefing on CIGTV here.
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Category: Local News
Thank you PC Fabian OConnor for getting food and cooking for us in our shelter.
We had nothing no beds, no cooking facilities etc. The Government needs fix these so called shelters.
He did a great job running the Cayman Community Farm at the same time. When I spoke to him he told me he had no volunteer help there in the storm. This is beyond belief that no one helped him in this time of need. After all this is a charity.
Hopefully the police and immigration officers were keeping tabs on the people coming in on the last flights from Jamaica. We wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened after Hurricane Ivan.
would love to know the actual numbers that uses these places….
clearly you weren’t around 20 years ago when even rich kids on the block lost their homes and needed food and shelter. Thankfully this one passed without tragedy but try look beyond your nose.
I was here 20years ago…
In which gated community did you live?
Why? So you can sit in your fancy house on high ground and complain about Caymanians getting assistance on your tax dollars?
No complaint about Caymanians getting tax dollars. They should. Large numbers of Jamaicans on the other hand…
And why are we even allowed to condemn the poor to live in swamps? Any assisted housing should be a minimum of 10 feet above sea level. To do otherwise is to guarantee the next disaster also becomes a tragedy of historic proportion.