Grace passing 20 miles SW of Grand Cayman

(CNS): UPDATED 7am: Tropical Storm Grace continued to pound Grand Cayman Wednesday morning with winds in excess of 65mph as it passed some 20 miles southwest of the island. The US National Hurricane Center said that hurricane-force gusts had already been recorded on Grand Cayman this morning. Moving at 16mph toward the west-northwest, Grace is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane later today. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the centre. Power lines and trees are down across the island and some structural damage has been reported. Over 23,000 CUC customers are currently without electricity.

More strong winds and further torrential rain is expected and government officials are urging people to stay indoors and call the emergency services for assistance. At this point there have been no reports of any casualties and the HSA has confirmed that the hospitals are all stable.

UPDATED 5am: Tropical Storm Grace was blowing at 65mph with higher gusts as it reached Grand Cayman, Wednesday morning. Heavy winds and rain began beating down on the island and at 4am local time the local weather station recorded a wind gust of 47mph. Passing around 25-30 miles South of Grand Cayman heading west and travelling at 16mph the storm was forecast to continue strengthening, Wednesday. Cayman can expect to see increasing wind speeds and very heavy rain for the next few hours as Grace passes to the south west of Grand Cayman and the NHC said the island could still be impacted by hurricane conditions later this morning.

UPDATED 1am: Tropical Storm Grace was just 70 miles south of Cayman Brac and 85 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman when the NHC issued its 2am advisory. Still packing winds of around 60mph and moving west at 14mph a weather station at Rum Point recorded wind gusts of 34mph as the storm moved away from Jamaica towards the Cayman area. Local weather forecasters said Grace is expected to pass more than 80 miles south of Cayman Brac at around 2am local time before reaching its closest point to the Cayman Islands at around 7am Wednesday when it is expected to pass some 28 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. Heavy rains are expected in the next hour on the Sister Islands and within the next three hours on Grand Cayman

Grace is forecast to strengthen and could still become a hurricane as it passes over our area. Tropical-storm-force winds currently extend outward up to 115 miles mainly north through east of the center.

UPDATED 10pm: As the NHC released its latest advisory on Tropical Storm Grace, forecasters warned that the Cayman Islands is likely to see hurricane-force winds in the early hours of Wednesday morning. As heavy rains continued to beat down on Jamaica, Grace was heading west towards Cayman at 14mph with winds around 60mph. At 10pm Tuesday night the storm was located around 145 miles ESE of Grand Cayman with tropical-force winds extending outward up to 115 miles, largely to the east of the centre.

The National Emergency Operations Committee is working through the night to coordinate emergency operations. Shelters are open and anyone who needs assistance should call the helpline (949-6555) which is being operated through the night by the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps.

UPDATED 7pm: Tropical Storm Grace has intensified and, according to the latest advisory from the US National Hurricane Center, is now packing winds of 60mph with higher gusts. At 7pm local time, Grace was 185 miles ESE of Grand Cayman and the island was already feeling the blustery effects of the impending storm. National Weather Service Director General John Tibbetts warned residents that the Cayman Islands could experience hurricane force winds as Grace passes early tomorrow morning and people are urged to finalize their preparations. Grace is currently moving westward at around 15mph and is expected to pass as close as 13 miles from the south coast of Grand Cayman.

At 4pm local time Tropical Storm Grace was still on track to pass just a few miles off the south coast of Grand Cayman and a hurricane watch was issued. Hurricane conditions are possible in Cayman early tomorrow morning, officials said. The islands began battening down in earnest Tuesday afternoon, with government offices closing and Cayman Airways cancelling all flights until at least Thursday.

The storm was located 225 miles ESE of Grand Cayman heading west at 15mph. While winds remained at 50mph Grace is now forecast to strengthen into a hurricane Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds now extend outward up to 80 miles from the centre.

The National Hazard Management Council urged all residents to complete their preparations quickly, to avoid shorelines after dark and refrain from non-essential journeys as the onset of tropical storm conditions is expected tonight.

Heavy rains are expected, with as much as 10 inches falling in isolated areas over the next day, so storm surge could raise water levels as high as one to three feet above normal tides. Swells generated by Grace will spread westward from Jamaica to the Cayman Islands, the US National Hurricane Centre said.

Severe weather conditions are predicted to reach Grand Cayman by around 1am Wednesday. Acting Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon noted that the most recent weather information suggested the potential for the tropical storm to strengthen into a category one hurricane as it is departing but still close to the Cayman Islands area.

“I cannot emphasise strongly enough the importance of people finishing their preparedness measures as soon as possible, and taking all necessary precautions until Tropical Storm Grace has completed its passage through our area,” she said.

“This includes having a 3-day supply of water, non-perishable food and necessary supplies at hand, but also immediately assessing the safety of your residence and determining if it is suitable to ride out the storm or alternatively where you will shelter. We also recommend that persons have a battery or solar powered radio with them so that they can stay informed even if the power goes out.” she concludes.

The National Emergency Operations Centre, which coordinates the Cayman Islands response to a national disaster, will begin operations at 5pm, and work past the all clear.

Its helpline (949-6555) will be operated by members of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps from 3pm until stood down.

The Mental Health, 1 800-534-6463, will also be operating from 9am-5pm.

See message from Premier Wayne Panton below:

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