Storm mashes north shorelines of Cayman Islands

| 06/02/2024 | 67 Comments

(CNS): The storm currently passing the Cayman Islands brought extensive damage and severe flooding to the north shore of the three islands. However, in a video posted on social media, Henry Scott showed how some properties on Cayman Brac were saved from extreme damage by the seagrape trees left to grow on the beach in front of them — natural vegetation that has traditionally protected Cayman homes but has been increasingly removed for a clear view of the beach. (See video below.)

According to the latest government update, a marine warning remains in effect for all three Cayman Islands and residents are encouraged to take every necessary precaution, including exercising extreme caution on roadways. 

All government schools were closed Tuesday due to the adverse weather conditions, but it has not been announced if they will remain closed tomorrow. Parents and guardians are advised to stay tuned to government releases for updates.

A number of roads on Grand Cayman have been closed due to the severe weather conditions. (See here)

Officials say that emergency response teams are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to assist as needed. The Red Cross shelter, located at 34 Huldah Avenue (across from the Farmers Market), is open and residents are encouraged to visit www.redcross.org.ky for more information about their shelter. 

The Cayman Islands Government recommends that the public continue to refrain from engaging in any in-water activities on all three Islands, stay well back from the shoreline, and ensure that marine vessels remain in safe harbour and secured until further notice.

Brac video by Henry Scott:

Video of Sunset House:


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Category: Science & Nature, Weather

Comments (67)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I am diffently for planting back more and more bushes to stop the damage to the Island.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    “Don’t want no damn grape trees or other bush between me and my beautiful sea view”. Well you pay the price for removing natural barriers. In response to your saying Mr. Scott “I hope they’ll learn from this”, I don’t think you’ll change the minds of people who just want to do as they please without regard for nature’s potential threats. The wisdom of the elders is gone and isn’t coming back I’m afraid.

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  3. Hancock says:

    Good to see fish market trashed
    Time for them to move on

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    • Anonymous says:

      I agree the fishmongers need to be relocated. And grape trees planted as in old days . The bay is a natural place to swim and should not be used for commercial purposes. It is very unsanitary.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    The perks of luxury oceanfront living!!

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Any reports on who won the beach lottery and who lost?

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  6. Anonymous says:

    LOL, for buyers at the new Dolphin Point Club, there is a reason why the old one got wiped off the face of the earth and this was just a gale.

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    • Anonymous says:

      People have short memories. That or they didn’t live here during Gilbert or Ivan. They will learn the hard way. Fools.

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  7. #VoteEmOut says:

    This government has failed its people.
    The Cayman Islands have no leadership.
    The Premier hiding up in the Brac?
    Kenneth Bryan where u at?
    Bernie Bush blown up in a bush?

    Unna people need leadership even if God saves and provides. GTC GTN taken a beating. People, property businesses are hurting yet no politician makes an appearance or has a word to say. FB working no more?

    Governor please step in.
    #votenoconfidence

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Marriot get their beach back? Bet we won’t hear about that tho.

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    • Johnny Canuck says:

      They now have a sandy beach in their swimming pool. Fantastic. 😂

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    • Anonymous says:

      As long as the hardened seawalls remain, there will be no beach recovery. The seawalls prevent the natural deposition of sand by reflecting all sand movement away from the location. Stupid continues to do as stupid does! When will these arrogant people learn that you cannot FIGHT NATURE, you must WORK WITH IT?

  9. Anonymous says:

    Photo #2. These people face risk of electrocution, cuts that could lead to life threatening infections and other hazards..

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Sunset House video – what these people were thinking? Can’ fix stupid.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    FAFO

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  12. Anonymous says:

    There is never a shortage of stupid “waves watchers”. Do people have common sense?

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  13. Anonymous says:

    what’s the saying again. a foolish man builds upon…nvm.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Shame that FIN is still standing isn’t it?

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  15. Anonymous says:

    shame about the shacks on the brac.
    anywho….
    any updates on the mega developments on grand cayman or the condition of smb???

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  16. Doodlebug says:

    The grape trees provided some protection … yup, thats what they do.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I’m going to start a “Save the Sea Grape Trees” organisation and raise lots of money from the environmentalists! Our sea grape trees are the only things savings us from destruction, except of course, the mangroves, too.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    How bad is the sand loss on SMB?

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Timing was perfect for for underscoring the stupidity of Kenneth’s pier push.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Keep destroying the mangroves man.. hope una can swim

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    • Anonymous says:

      what mangroves were removed and would have stopped what happened?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Mangroves are a natural barrier to prevent high tides. They reduce the effects of flooding etc. However, because of mass development, primarily on the western side of the island, there’s no mangroves left there, hence why the GT, SMB and West Bay areas get hit the worst. The Eastern side of the island still has relative protection by mangroves, but not for long if the EWA extension goes ahead…

  20. Nan Socolow says:

    Thanks for video of Stake Bay storm damage, Henry Scott!

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Insurance rates on ALL properties will surely go UP – oceanside and inland!

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    • Anonymous says:

      not really …doubt if many claims will be made due to high deductibles due to windstorm event.
      our rates go up due to larger international events…

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      • Anonymous says:

        Check your policy closely. It wasn’t a named storm system so the higher cat deductible shouldn’t apply. May vary by company but be sure to ask.

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        • Anonymous says:

          does not need to be named….it was a windstorm. policies are quiet clear on this.
          better luck next time in trying to scam the insurance companies

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          • Anonymous says:

            So by checking your policy wording and asking the question you think someone is trying to scam the insurer. Gee, wonder which insurance company you work for.

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        • Anonymous says:

          It was a NAMED STORM “PINEAPPLE EXPRESS”

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      • Mumbichi says:

        Insurance rates will go up BECAUSE THEY CAN. We have no real regulatory body properly overseeing the insurance industry. Thus, we are all screwed.

    • Anonymous says:

      Only for those that subscribe to the manic pyramid scheme that is property insurance.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Hoi! Cryin’ Bryan! Are you watching this?

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  23. Anonymous says:

    This is yet another annual demonstration of why a GT port pier will never make sense in a blue water “harbour”. For those that can’t read the engineering reports (which caution against it, citing this), believe this footage, and try to retain it in your brains for more than 3 days.

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    • Anonymous says:

      By this logic since we get hurricanes once a blue moon it’s completely pointless to own bicycles and motorcycles on this island because it might rain hard 0.34% of the year.

      You new here ah? The prevalent wind comes from the east the other 99% of the time.

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      • Anonymous says:

        hey don’t bring facts into this….its a day for hysterical anti-development soundbites!!!

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        • Anonymous says:

          The day when people stop labeling anti-development as hysterical is the day this world will begin to heal.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It doesn’t. It comes from the Sou’SouEast. Big difference, particularly in tropical wx dynamics.

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