Hurricane to hit Grand Cayman

This was just released by the Cayman NetNews network. There have been very few storms with sustained winds over 100 mph to have ever hit Grand Cayman -- only 3 in recorded history. This storm looks like it will be under 100 mph, so damage should be contained. We will see. Jeff.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Cayman Islands remain under a hurricane warning. Hurricane Paloma is projected to pass over or close to the Cayman Islands as a Category Three hurricane, with maximum wind speeds of up to 106 miles per hour for Grand Cayman, and up to 70 mph for the Sister Islands.

As the storm heads towards the Cayman Islands, weather conditions will continue to deteriorate, with Grand Cayman being the first to be affected by TS-force winds from mid-morning. Residents are urged to rush all preparations to completion now.

At 4:00 a.m. Friday, 7 November, the centre of Hurricane Paloma was located near 17.8 N and 81.7 W, or 110 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman. Paloma is moving north near 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 80 mph.

On its projected path, tropical storm-force winds are likely to start affecting the Sister Islands around 7:00 p.m. Friday.

Category One hurricane-force winds are expected on Grand Cayman by late this afternoon. The centre of the system is expected to pass over Grand Cayman around midnight Friday. As the storm centre crosses Grand Cayman, winds will become calm for 30-60 minutes, but stronger winds will return from the west to northwest.

The closest point of approach for Grand Cayman will be at 9.00 p.m. Friday, when Paloma will be 14 miles away, with maximum sustained winds of up to 106 miles per hour, gusting to 132 mph.

Storm surge in Grand Cayman is expected to be 4 to 6, feet with wave heights of around 20 to 30 feet expected on the south, west and north coasts. Waves of up to 15-20 feet with lower storm surge are likely elsewhere on the island. The Sister Islands can expect wave heights up to 15 to 20 feet, with a storm surge of 1 to 3 feet.

The closest point to the Sister Islands will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, when it will be about 47 miles away, with sustained winds of 67 miles per hour, gusting to 84 miles per hour.

Tropical-storm winds are expected to subside for Grand Cayman around noon on Saturday; on Little Cayman by 1:00 a.m. Sunday (10 November), and for Cayman Brac by 3:00 a.m. Sunday.

Cayman Islands residents should monitor all local media outlets that carry local news in order to stay informed about Paloma.

The timing of local activities will continue to be announced to residents.

Visitors staying in hotels and other properties should follow the advice of the staff.

Advice to local population:

1. If Paloma maintains her path, persons in single-story buildings along Northwest Point, Seven Mile Beach, and the south coast of Grand Cayman to about Breakers, should evacuate. These areas will be subject to strong seas and storm surge.

2. SHELTERS: These Hurricane Shelters will be open at 7:00 am today (Friday, 7 November): East End Civic Centre; North Side Civic Centre; Bodden Town Primary; the UCCI Hall (formerly the Community College); John Cumber Primary Hall; the Breakers Community Centre. All these shelters (with the exception of Breakers) also have Emergency Medical Centres.

3. Residents should be ready NOW for Paloma.

1. Residents who are evacuating homes or businesses should turn off their city water at the shut-off valves before leaving.
2. Persons in single-story buildings along Northwest Point, Seven Mile Beach, and the south coast of Grand Cayman, up to about Breakers, should evacuate.
3. Have enough food, water, medicine, and baby supplies.
4. Turn your refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings.
5. Have sources of alternative light.
6. Properties should be shuttered or boarded.
7. Important documents, including travel documents, should be in order and in waterproof bags, such as Ziplocs. If you need to leave your shelter, take your travel documents with you.
8. All marine interests should be in safe harbour.
9. Ensure the safety of your pets.
10. Your generator should have been checked, and you should have fuel for it. Don’t run your generator inside, and don’t store fuels and other hazardous materials inside.
11. Make sure your family, and persons who will be staying with you in the event of a storm, are aware of the plan.