CAYMAN WEATHERS STORM ETA

Damage is being assessed and services restored after Cayman’s second brush with storm Eta in a week.

The islands were inundated with heavy rainfall for several hours along with strong winds and rough seas as Tropical Storm Eta storm passed a little over 100 miles to the north-east on Saturday.

At the start of the week Eta had swept by the local area on its way to becoming a major hurricane slamming into Central America before heading back across the Caribbean Sea and again passing uncomfortably close to the Cayman Islands.

In its wake it has left many streets flooded, downed power lines and trees, caused rough seas and disrupted many services.

A government statement on the situation on the Sister Islands said with the All Clear for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman no structural damage has been reported.

Some flooding was experienced on both islands and both are still experiencing gusty winds with bands of cloud passing through, and some light rain currently.

There were short power outages on both islands but all power has been restored.

Both the Aston Rutty Centre Shelter and the Noah’s Ark Pet Shelter on Cayman Brac have now closed.

It said Deputy District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts thanked emergency personnel and all residents who adhered to Government warnings and helped to keep the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman communities safe.

“Authorities on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are still asking all persons to remain off the roads as much as possible. This is to facilitate the work of damage assessment, and debris removal where necessary,” the statement said.

It also stated that in those areas of Grand Cayman where debris is still being cleared drivers are asked to exercise extreme caution.

Motorists are also advised to be mindful of road closures that are underway to facilitate clean-up efforts.

Members of the public are also asked to keep away from the coasts and shoreline as dangerous waves continue to affect the Cayman Islands. A marine warning was still in effect due to the likelihood of rough seas.

In a post on his Facebook page Hon. Premier Alden McClaughlin said he was “very happy to hear that the All Clear has now been given for the Sister Islands.”

Giving a first-hand account of the storm’s impact on Grand Cayman, he wrote: “I took a drive out once the all-clear had been given in Grand Cayman to have a look at some of the areas impacted by Tropical Storm Eta."

Mr McLaughlin reported that he saw "lots of flooding, some downed power lines, and trees uprooted.”

In commending the emergency services, the Premier urged “everyone to continue to be safe, stay off the roads and away from the water.”

Also in a social media post on the passage of the storm, HE, Governor Martyn Roper thanked the emergency responders “for a lot of hard work in challenging circumstances.”