Cayman placed under storm warning as TC9 nears
(CNS) UPDATED: As of 7:00pm Monday, Grand Cayman has been placed under a Tropical Storm Warning. Storm-force winds are expected within the next 36 hours as the weather system, potential TC9, continues to move north. The brewing storm is currently 98 miles from Grand Cayman and 199 miles from the Sister Islands, with 35mph winds and higher gusts moving north-northwest at 7mph.
The estimated arrival of tropical storm-force winds is 1:00am Tuesday. Very rough seas, heavy widespread thunderstorms and potential severe flooding in low-lying areas are expected.
The Cayman Islands remains under a flood warning. From this evening, a small craft warning is in effect.
“Although the system will not be classified as a tropical storm at its closest point to Grand Cayman, due to the rapid development of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to issue a tropical storm warning for Grand Cayman,” said John Tibbetts, Director General of the Cayman Islands National Weather Service. “We strongly encourage the public to stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel until the system has passed the Cayman Islands.”
The Red Cross shelter will open at 7:00pm this evening as a precaution for members of the public.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman stressed the importance of prioritizing the most vulnerable as people prepare for the storm.
“This weather system is somewhat unpredictable, and as such we are taking an abundance of caution,” she said. “We ask you to do the same and heed the warnings and continue following official sources throughout the next 24 hours. Let us remain calm, prepared and vigilant.”
Sandbag filling stations have been in operation throughout Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac since Sunday afternoon and can be found at the following locations:
- Agriculture Pavillion, Grand Cayman
- West Bay Fire Station, Grand Cayman
- Frank Sound Fire Station, Grand Cayman
- Linford Pierson Highway, Grand Cayman
- Watering Place Gardens, Cayman Brac
- Cotton Tree Bay, Cayman Brac
Further updates will be provided later this evening and people can check for information on the following platforms:
- Cayman Islands Government: www.gov.ky
- Hazard Management Cayman Islands: www.caymanprepared.ky
- National Weather Service: www.weather.gov.ky
- Emergencies: 911
- Social Media: @caymangov @caymanprepare
Original Post: According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast, potential Tropical Cyclone 9 is brewing into a storm just 110 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and heading north at around 6mph. The weather system is expected to begin dousing the Cayman Islands later this evening with heavy rain followed by strong winds and more rain on Tuesday morning. Winds are currently near 30mph with higher gusts, but as the storm takes shape and heads our way, those winds are expected to strengthen.
The system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday, by which time it should be moving away from the Cayman area and across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. There, it is forecast to rapidly intensify and become a major hurricane as it heads towards Florida.
While Cayman is expected to see a lot of rain and bad weather, with the potential for a foot of rain falling in some places, the NHC has not issued any watches or warnings for the Cayman Islands.
The Department of Environmental Health has said there will be no garbage collection on Tuesday. The landfill will also be closed to the public tomorrow, and no scrap metal or other waste will be accepted.
The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) has suspended vehicle inspections until further notice. All scheduled driver exams will be rescheduled as officials said it is not possible to safely perform vehicle inspections or conduct road exams for drivers.
Government schools across the islands will remain closed tomorrow. Some private schools have already confirmed they will also remain closed, and others are expected to announce their closures later this evening.
All Health Services Authority (HSA) locations, including district health centres, plan to remain open today and tomorrow. Anyone unable to make an appointment due to weather is asked to contact the clinic to reschedule
Cayman Airways has confirmed it will waive change fees for flights 23-25 September purchased before 22 September. See details here.
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Category: Science & Nature, Weather
Why shut down? Because we know that some areas will have problems. Maybe not significant as a % of the country (or even just Grand) but by having people off the roads (staying home) it reduces the amount of stranded cars and school-collection confusion and minor injuries and etc. Thereby allowing necessary services more capacity to respond where there are problems. As I write this CUC’s map is showing 300 people without power (it doesn’t say why). It’s just ‘one spot’ but I’m pretty sure they’re happy that whatever emergency services are in their area aren’t having to deal with other avoidable issues elsewhere so thanks for staying home.
Should Cayman be able to deal with a Tropical Wave without needing to shut down? Thats a different issue and the answer is yes. But since we know we can’t it’s better to be honest about that and make these decisions in advance than have the confusion of schools getting cancelled half-day and kids on the bus home as parents are having to evacuate to a shelter because the house is flooding out.
The issue isn’t shutting down today, it’s not correcting the problem areas ‘tomorrow’. (Apparently the new bypass is flooding again. Maybe don’t build the next one through the swamp without doing a proper EIA first.)
Bollocks
Precautionary measures are always best, yes even to close schools, etc for the day/2days. TSs are always unpredicable #LivingIntheTropicsKnowledge!
‘The estimated arrival of tropical storm-force winds is 1:00am Tuesday. Very rough seas, heavy widespread thunderstorms…’ did we miss something, lovely and cool!
It is very weathery out there.
My God, what a bunch of wimps 😂😂😂
So now we’re shutting down the island for an Invest system, which will only become TS after passing us???
Over-reaction much? Not to mention closing schools and health clinics!! It’s only rain, people!!!
Not if your house gets flooded by newer houses built higher, or if your in a flood prone area!
how is closing schools going to help with that???
More people home to bail the floodwater!
Not enough rain on Brac this morning to even water the fruit trees.
More than enough to shut down the Civil Service though.
It doesn’t take much to create excitement on the Brac.
At the least the civil servants will get a day off to drive around and see wa goin on.
I drove thru a puddle in Spot Bay near the school – maybe someone can check the nearby street drain – thanks
LOL
Sorry 621am I just drove across there just now. School is closed down, cant find anybody at PWD, NRA or District Admin to address the issue.
But the puddle is still there.
I know about the drain I live spot bay – you not alone on this issue
And we tell all civil servants on Brac to stay home today because of wind and sporadic rain? Can we just take off the whole week and call it even.
dont give our so called government leaders any more stupid ideas – they come up with enough of them on their own!!!!
yawn…..no need to shut down the island for days on end for what is a minor rain event with a few 30mph gusts…
silly season stuff…
Any excuse not to work.
This is an island in which the loudest demands for change are to legalise cannabis and gambling. That speaks to the native work ethic.
Why?