The National Hazard Management Council, in consultation with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, announced at 4p.m. today that the Cayman Islands has added a Hurricane Watch to its already declared Tropical Storm Warning.
National Weather Service Director General John Tibbetts said the Government decided to take the step out of an abundance of caution as Tropical Storm Grace is expected to become a category one hurricane as it moves out of the Cayman Islands area.
“The combination of a hurricane watch with a tropical storm warning means that in addition to experiencing tropical storm winds within the next 24 hours, it is possible, but not likely, that we will also experience hurricane force winds”. Mr Tibbetts explained.
“It is important that everyone understands that even a tropical storm is dangerous and has the potential to cause loss of life. As a result it is important for us all to follow public safety messaging, avoid coastlines, refrain from non-essential journeys and stay informed on everything that is happening, until the all-clear can be given”.
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.
The NEOC helpline, tel. 949-6555, is being operated by members of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps until stood down. The Mental Health tel. 18005346463 will also be operating from 9am-5pm.
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