Grand Cayman, Brac gone clear, LC still under watch

(CNS) UPDATED WEDNESDAY 8AM: As Hurricane Rafael moved away from Cayman in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the all-clear was issued for Grand Cayman, which largely escaped the impact of the storm, though heavy rains continued this morning. However, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman took the brunt of what is now a Category 2 hurricane and remain under a hurricane watch as officials began taking stock of the damage sustained across the two islands.

At 7am, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Chair of the National Hazard Management Council, said that there was already confirmed damage on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman but no loss of life. “The outer bands of the hurricane will bring intermittent bad weather today, and government offices in the Sister Islands remain closed as first responders and assessment teams conduct evaluations,” he said.

While power has been restored to some parts of Cayman Brac, many homes are still without electricity. There is no power on Little Cayman, where many lines are down. Island Energy said it was undertaking an assessment this morning, and estimations relating to power restoration would be issued later.

UPDATED 10PM: The Sister Islands were still feeling the brunt of Hurricane Rafael Tuesday night as it began pulling away. At 10pm the National Hurricane Centre said Rafael was located 60 miles east-northeast from Grand Cayman with maximum sustained winds of 80mph and higher gusts. Still moving northwest, the storm had slowed slightly to 13mph. Rapid strengthening is now forecast over the next 12-18 hours, and Rafael is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane before it makes landfall in Cuba.

Little Cayman and Cayman Brac have been battered with strong winds and heavy rain over the last few hours with more rain expected even as the hurricane moves on. Officials have said that the emergency services were hoping to begin welfare checks soon though the all clear has not yet been given. Chief Inspector Wade Chase from the RCIPS said that information is being logged and they will soon be able to head out to help those most in need.

UPDATED 9PM: Rafael became a category one hurricane at around 7:30pm, Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Centre when the eye of the storm was just 20 miles away from Little Cayman. Recent data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that Rafael had maximum sustained winds of 75mph with higher gusts and further intensification was forecast. Rafael continues to move towards the north-west at 15mph.

UPDATED 8PM: Cayman Brac and Little Cayman lost power around 6:30pm Tuesday evening due to TS Rafael, which was approaching hurricane force as it neared Little Cayman Tuesday evening. At 7:00pm the storm was located just 25 miles south-east of the island moving northwest at about 15mph. A shelter-in-place advisory is in effect for the Sister Islands, which will be extended to Grand Cayman from 10pm. Packing winds of over 70mph with higher gusts, Rafael could become a hurricane shortly, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 115 miles from the centre.

The eye-wall of Rafael is expected to cross Little Cayman between 8 and 10pm. Given the proximity of the storm to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and the intensification, the government will broadcast live storm updates on the hour from 8pm to 11pm on its CIGTV YouTube and Cable Channel.

Viewers can stay informed with real-time insights from Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands National Weather Service, and the National Emergency Operations Centre.

UPDATED 4:30PM: At 4pm local time, Tropical Storm Rafael had intensified and was on the brink of becoming a hurricane as it headed towards the Cayman Islands, moving toward the northwest at around 15mph. Located about 105 miles east of Grand Cayman, the storm was packing winds of 70mph with higher gusts. Rafael is expected to intensify further over the next few hours, and it will likely be a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches the Sister Islands this evening. A stay-in-place advisory is now active for the Sister Islands, with Grand Cayman expected to follow by 10 PM tonight.

The premier, who appeared on Radio Cayman today, confirmed that schools and government offices will remain closed on Wednesday.*

At 5pm Governor Jane Owen urges residents to finalise preparations and take shelter as Tropical Storm Rafael approached the Sister Islands. The National Hazard Management Executive is closely tracking the storm’s intensification. Support teams, including police and the Cayman Islands Regiment, are positioned to assist with readiness and recovery efforts.

UPDATED 3pm: There was little change to Tropical Storm Rafael as it moved away from Jamaica Tuesday afternoon and headed toward the Cayman Islands. At 1:00pm the storm was packing winds of over 60mph with higher gusts and moving toward the northwest at 14mph. Rafael was located around 150 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman and is expected to have the most impact on the Sister Islands.

The US National Hurricane Center was still predicting more intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours, and Rafael is expected to become a hurricane as it passes the Cayman Islands with further strengthening before it makes landfall in Cuba.

The Water Authority said that, given the current predictions on the severity and path of TS Rafael, it has no intention of temporarily interrupting the piped water supply in Cayman Brac. However, water pressure will be decreased to conserve water resources.

Residents are advised to close their water shut-off valve, especially if they plan to evacuate their premises for shelter elsewhere. This precaution will help prevent unexpected high water bills and property damage in case of plumbing leaks during the storm.

ORIGINAL POST: At 10:00am Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center was calling for steady to rapid intensification of Tropical Storm Rafael over the next 24 to 36 hours as it heads towards the Cayman Islands. Rafael is expected to become a hurricane as it passes near the Sister Islands, where, given the storm’s current track, the worst of the weather is expected to hit this evening. Local officials here are urging residents in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac to batten down.

Rafael is forecast to pass less than ten miles southwest of Little Cayman, 19 miles southwest of Cayman Brac and 81 miles northeast of Grand Cayman.

On the Sister Islands, winds should begin between 3:00pm and 5:00pm today, with expected tropical-storm-force winds (between 39-73 miles per hour) and hurricane-force gusts of over 74mph. Wave heights are expected to reach between 9 to 13 feet on Tuesday with heavy wave action. Storm surges of up to three feet and 8.5 inches of rain could increase the potential for coastal flooding. 

Officials urged residents of the Sister Islands to make final preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Rafael. Expected concerns include damage to infrastructure, property and foliage. The community is also advised of potential damage to power lines and water systems. Motorists are asked to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel during strong winds and impaired visibility due to rain.  

The Cayman Islands Regiment has been deployed to the Sister Islands to stand by and assist in preparation for the storm. 

The situation on Grand Cayman is expected to be calmer with winds of up to 39mph and five inches of rain, though waves could still reach up to 13 feet.

A marine warning is currently in effect for all three Islands, and the public is urged to stay away from coastlines until an official all-clear has been issued. A shelter-in-place advisory has been issued from 12pm today, 5 November. 

According to the NHC, at 10:00am, the centre of Tropical Storm Rafael was about 200 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman with maximum sustained winds of 60mph and higher gusts, moving toward the northwest near 13mph.

On the forecast track, the storm is expected to move near western Jamaica early this afternoon and be near or over the Cayman Islands this evening and tonight, when it is expected to become a hurricane. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the centre.

Schools, government offices, banks and most stores were expected to be closed by at least noon today. Officials have said they will update the community about closures on Wednesday later today.

HSA Operations: Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac will be temporarily relocated to the Aston Rutty Medical Wing from 10:00am. To contact A&E call 345-244-7643. Outpatient clinics, the dental clinic and the pharmacy at Faith Hospital are closed today. The Little Cayman Health Centre can be reached at 345-916-5395 in an emergency. 

Shelters:

• Sister Islands: Aston Rutty Centre, West End Primary, Public Works Department, Little Cayman, Noah’s Ark (pet shelter).
• West Bay: Sir John A. Cumber Primary School
• George Town: Cayman Islands Red Cross and John Gray High School Gymnasium (Pet-Friendly),
• Bodden Town: Breakers Community Hall
• North Side: Craddock Civic Centre
• East End: William Allen McLaughlin Civic Centre

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