Cayman Residents brace for the Hurricane

The frenzy at local supermarkets during the past 48 hours, has revealed just how savvy people in the British Territory have become with regard to hurricane preparedness.

Leaving nothing to the last minute, persons across Grand Cayman have been taking the prospect of Tropical Storm Ian seriously, in the wake of storms like Grace, which wreaked havoc on the Island in 2021.

Others who remember the lightning speed with which Hurricane Ivan developed and leveled the Island of Grand Cayman, know just how ominous the threat of a looming storm can be.

Many shoppers said they were prepared for the eventuality of a storm and even if Cayman was spared the destruction and ensuing inconvenience, they were making sure they were not going to have to go without essentials, such as water, tin foods, batteries, and other supplies.

“I don’t think we should take any chances with this storm. We have all seen the destruction these systems can cause and it is better to be safe than sorry,’ noted Keisha Davis, who added that she had three children and had to make sure to have supplies for them in the event of stores being closed.

The tenor at local gas stations was the same, as that at the supermarkets as motorists was their way to the pump to make sure they would have fuel during the next few days.

On Friday, many businesses closed early to give their employees an opportunity to prepare for the looming storm, which no doubt added to the numbers of customers seen at supermarkets and gas stations.

Banks also featured long cues, as persons made sure they had cash on hand for emergency purchases after a possible hit from the system.

“Everybody is being more responsible and I am proud to see Cayman is a place where people take these storms seriously. Coming from Florida, we are also aware of just how bad things can get and the more prepared you are, the better chance you give yourself to make it out safely,” noted Visitor John McKinnley.

As of 8.25pm on Saturday, 24th September, the Met Service said Ian is expected to become a hurricane late Sunday evening while south-west of Jamaica and moving farther away towards the Cayman Islands.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 75 km/h (45 mph) with higher gusts; however, significant strengthening is forecast during the next few days.

“Jamaica is currently well outside of the range of tropical-storm-force winds, which extend outward up to 95 km (60 miles) from the centre,” noted the Met Service. As a result, Jamaica is no longer under a Tropical Storm Watch.

However, Cayman remains under a Hurricane Warning and residents are braced for the possibility of the storm arriving between Sunday evening and Monday morning.