Cayman commemorates historic hurricane
(CNS): This week, the Cayman Islands is marking 20 years since the passage of Hurricane Ivan, a Category 4 storm that devastated Grand Cayman on the 11 and 12 of September 2004. Two decades on, officials here are promoting the theme of “Past. Present. Grateful. Resilient”. Ivan remains one of the most expensive natural disasters in history, with damages totalling US$3 billion and stands as the defining moment of “Before Ivan” and “After Ivan” in the lives of many Caymanians.
Ivan first made landfall in the Cayman Islands late on Saturday night, 11 September, unleashing devastating winds and storm surge on Grand Cayman. Around 1:00am on Sunday, 12 September, hurricane-force winds began impacting the island and raged throughout that day as the slow-moving hurricane inched its way along the south coast. While the storm indirectly claimed the lives of two people, no one living in Grand Cayman escaped the impact of its destruction on their homes and possessions.
To mark the 20th anniversary, the government has launched an official Hurricane Ivan webpage and a documentary that includes first-hand accounts and showcases the extraordinary journey to recovery and the resiliency of the people. It will be broadcast on CIGTV Wednesday night and is available on YouTube here.
The award-winning short film Ivan by Caymanian filmmaker Jazz Pitcairn will also premiere this Friday, 13 September, at 6:00pm at Camana Bay Cinemas.
Government ministers and senior staff appeared on Radio Cayman’s For the Record and Talk Today on Wednesday as they reflected on the hurricane and its impact as part of the anniversary campaign.
“The campaign serves to recount the story of Hurricane Ivan — our story,” said Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly in a video message about the anniversary. “It pays tribute to those who endured great suffering, remembers the two members of our community who lost their lives, and celebrates the spirit of resilience that emerged in its wake. We also wish to express our gratitude to those who came from near and far to assist in organising communities and rebuilding Cayman after Ivan.”
A new generation of Caymanians and new residents have not experienced a hurricane of this magnitude firsthand, so the campaign aims to raise awareness about the impact of storms and the development of crisis management operations here today. As a result, the National Emergency Notification System (NENS) App was activated as part of a planned exercise to mark the anniversary and encourage residents to download the app.
Cayman Islands National Weather Service (CINWS) Director General John Tibbetts also looked back at the experiences of the MET team during the infamous hurricane in a short documentary. Tibbetts said Ivan’s closet point was 21 miles south of George Town, officially as a Category 4, but with winds of well over 155mph, it was a borderline Category 5. Storm surge, flooding, high winds and tornadoes destroyed many properties across Grand Cayman.
Tibbetts also talked about the progress made by the CINWS to better predict and help protect the people of the Cayman Islands during inclement weather based in part on the lessons learned in Ivan.
Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart reflected on the storm’s impact on people’s lives. “In those difficult days, the people of the Cayman Islands came together in extraordinary ways — first to help each other and then to rebuild,” he said
Revisiting the events of Hurricane Ivan may evoke strong emotions and anxiety. Anyone who feels overwhelmed can access support and guidance from local counselling services by calling
CayMind toll free #1-800-534-6463.
“Your well-being is our priority, and we are committed to supporting our community through this commemorative period,” O’Connor-Connolly said. “I encourage each of you to join us as we look back on how far we have come. The country withstood the winds and waves, and the people of the Cayman Islands are forever grateful that our resilience was not defeated by the storm.”
See the details of all events taking place throughout the month here.
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Category: Local News
Ivan was a turning point for us in many ways. It was the point where government declared itself independent of the Mother country.
It was the point where armed robbers discovered that there was little response to their actions, that they could have their way with us, because we had no weapons of our own to oppose them.
It was the point where we realised that government couldn’t save us, not entirely. No, we found that we had to provide for ourselves, because there was not enough free money to go around to rebuild us, so — as with our ancestors — we had to do it ourselves. Unlike them, we didn’t band together for our common good. Not so much.
It was the point where we became divided, where government was on one side, paired with civil service, and the rest of us left to dangle in the wind on our own. And so it has remained since.
Are you sure you were actually here for Ivan?
Caymanians absolutely did band together; I remember being in line with many fellow Caymanians at Bodden’s Beverages, discussing how we could help one another with our repairs. And we sure as hell didn’t fall victim to any robbers. Maybe some big box stores got looted (yardies got in that digi store by the post office with the quickness) but I distinctly remember Cleveland out in the front of Big Daddy’s with his baseball bat, protecting his property. We walked the streets all hours day and night and never encountered any “armed robbers”. Maybe you might just be soft and desperate people recognized it? Either way this is some weird bizarro-world revisionist history. It wasn’t the best of times but it definitely wasn’t some mad max-esque hellscape.
“recognized”? I was here. Where were you?
I didn’t say armed robbers were running the streets. I said it was when armed robbers first discovered they could loot and get away with it. Said nothing about Mad Max, but tourists who came then certainly would have though so, thanks to Mac’s assurances.
I slogged through deep water to get to my family. I prayed for my family until I found them. I bet you were on the planeload of people who fled to and lived off the kindness of the Brackers.
Do not agree, did not get help from jack shit after standing in it from beginning to end. Know who helped me, yes those Jamaicans you love to bad mouthe and degrade…who also rebuilt your destruction again!
Agree…the Jamaicans that were not looting were great.
Don’t you talk rubbish!
“Forecasters” got that one horribly wrong too. Seems to be their thing.
I wasn’t there for Hurricane Ivan, but I have had my share of Hurricane Ivan’s when I go to the Cayman, powerful stuff!!!
I suspect much of your thumbs downs (including mine) were as a result of none of us being able to figure out WTF you are talking about.
There’s a drink at the Marriott called a Hurricane Ivan, real strong and will knock you on your butt. I guess you have to be a tourist to appreciate these things, surprised locals never heard about this drink, I ordered it from other bars as well.
They used to do a good rusty nail, same effect, but with lockjaw thrown in.
They had to come up with something i suppose, since they can no longer market a sex on the beach.
Anemometer died at Category 4 so no proof of Category 5 wind except satellite which is unofficial for wind speed.
The official thresh hold for Cat 5 was met just west of Grand Cayman , as Ivan tracked away , confirmed by both satellite and hurricane hunter drop sonde.
But…Ivan was carrying an ACE value far in excess of the Saffer Simpson wind speeds for a high end Cat 4. Hence the storm surge damage in addition to slow forward speed , that allowed time on the water to extend well beyond Saturday the 11th to the evening of Sunday 12th. Now include that time frame for the high end wind gusts over the entire weekend , as Ivan was crawling along at several knots of motion.
Any way you slice it , given the above factors, Grand Cayman experienced Category 5 conditions , the “ Conditions “ far exceeded just a slightly lower average “ Sustained “wind speed.
ACE is the key here , all should become acquainted with that meteorological term.
Recently , Beryl that impacted us had a very low ACE value, hence no storm surge and low end Category 3 winds that were barely 45 kilometers south as it passed.
and the earth is flat, and vaccines are evil.
You are denying science.
Maybe the wind blowing out of your arse was cat 5 but Ivan was a cat 4
Anon’ 8:22 is correct. The official Category 5 intensity did occur just west of George Town. The damage Grand Cayman received was in order with category 5 intensity, regardless of wind.
Sorry …
and mac refused help from uk navy and banned overseas reporters from visiting cayman…as he tried to hide the destruction from the world.
wonderland stuff…
Yet certain ministers and CMR are repeatedly heard saying UK stood by and did nothing to help.
Of course they did, to make themselves look independent, in control and heroes as the Sacred Square!
It is not actually true that Mac refused help from the UK Navy. The Royal Navy declined to provide marines to assist with security (which was needed) and offered little more than blankets and water purification tablets – both useless in our circumstances following Ivan. As a Royal Navy Officer told me to my face – “a marine shooting a looter would not look good in the UK press.”
You’ll have to forgive them, most of them weren’t actually here for Ivan and are just going off of hearsay. Many of them don’t even stay for cat1’s.
Who is ‘them’?
https://youtu.be/X3lT1CivkLo?si=IxA3mQ7JSJT8V6xV
absolutely correct. UK failed massively. Governor was totally embarrassed at their apathy. Apparently Royal Navy was exhausted from Grenada.
Military make horrible security.
If you treat people like animals, they will soon become animals.
mac refused help from the UK simple as that
And nothing has changed, same corrupt government, same corrupt Islands.
it must be comedy hour for CINWS to talk about progress when they always seem to be down right before inclement weather. the Weatherman (Bryan Shields) channel on Youtube is more reliable than our government funded dept.
Mr. Bryan Sheilds is great!
Shields is brilliant!
You members of the Mr Weatherman cult should realise that he’s just looking at the ECMWF model like everyone else (including the NHS).
spaghettimodels.com
tropicaltidbits.com
weathernerds.com
nhc.noaa.gov
Look at me, I’m an internet meteorologist!
No, what you are is a weather weenie. That is, if you actually enjoy discussing and working with those links. You should add Crownweather.com.
Don’t take it too hard. I am a weather weenie also. Doesn’t hurt a bit.
and the CIWS uses?
Guesswork