Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Government Response to Hurricane Dean on Little Cayman
In the August 28 edition of the cayCompass, Gladys Howard, world class chef, Proprietor of Pirates Point Resort, and prominent resident of Little Cayman has written a powerful letter calling the Cayman Islands Government to task for their response to Hurricane Dean on the island of Little Cayman. In the letter, Gladys asks why the one hurricane shelter on Little Cayman was locked, why there were not enough flights out to get all residents and visitors off the island despite the fact that there was a mandatory evacuation, and why electricity and telecommunications was cut off from the island for such an inordinately long time. Click here for Gladys' full letter, a must read for anyone interested in news about Little Cayman.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Hurricane Dean Eyewitness Report - Gay, Ed, and Martha
John: hello.
Regarding hurricane Dean: as we tracked the hurricane on the Weather Channel and NOAA website frequently, we kept seeing it was coming directly for Jamaica, and south of Grand Cayman. So whatever hit Grand Cayman, we are 80 miles away. This helps us, with the winds being a bit less dramatic, but these storms, can always at the last minute change course (as we saw happen.). Since we knew it would be a category 5, we acted as if that was going to happen. All of our guests left the island on Saturday, August 18th, on the morning flight, except for four who decided to stay, at least they thought they would stay, but then a mandatory evacuation was announced.
Saturday morning, we started prepping. The top pieces of the dock were dismantled, put on a trailer and brought to the resort. The idea is that the base of the dock, will survive (although ours did not this time). There were about 4 docks that were taken out and about 4 docks made it. We put away anything that could be flying debris. Rope lights, chairs, tables, water maker pump pulled from the beach, hammocks, coconuts off the beach. Anything that can be made airborne, can become a danger to property and surely, people. That is why during a hurricane you NEVER go out, until the winds have subsided. That is how people get hurt. They want to “see” what is happening, and flying palm fronds, etc, become very dangerous.
At about 3:00 we were looking good, but still had the dive boat to secure up on our hurricane mooring (the anchor is about the size for a cruise ship, HUGE rope also.), pull the skiff, and board up the windows. At about 3:30, our guys had heard about a charter flight out of Cayman Brac, and they wanted on it. Martha and I convinced Gladys to go. So, Ed, Martha and I continued putting up the boards, until late in the day. There was an outside chance of an early flight out, but we knew we would not make it, timewise. Martha also has a cat, and did not want to leave her cat. Our decision was based on the securing of our dive boat. That was more important to us than getting off the island. A policeman came by, and had us sign waivers if we “chose” to stay.
Sunday, we finished boarding up the resort, then went and boarded up two of the four condos at Sunset Point. Then we went to secure the dive boat, and pull our skiff out of the water, and tied it to a telephone pole. Once we had everything secured, we started getting set up, for however many days, we would be bound inside. The first shocker was that at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, they shut the power. Typically, they will run until it looks like a threat to any lines, or damage to the power plant. Power was DOWN, Sunday 8:00 a.m. We found out later that they told the power plant’s engineers that they HAD to leave. They were willing to stay. So, now with NO power, we set about getting flashlights, food in igloos, water, drinks, pillows, etc, to get as comfortable as possible. We made a port a potty, because no running water, with no power. Ed rigged up a car battery, a converter, and for about 5 hours on the stillest night, we had two fans, that helped us sleep for a few hours. You could not open windows, because of possible damage, or rain. We stayed at our new house, which is like a fortress, with all the block. The condo did well also, and we were lucky that the new sea wall, deterred any waves from coming and stealing our sand. Ha. So, not knowing how bad the storm was, where it was, was the scariest part. I read as long as I could by flashlight, then slept a little. At 6:00 a.m. it sounded as if there was a lull in the wind, so I went to the beach to see HUGE breaking waves, crashing the shore. As I looked from our house, to Gladys’ about 1/ 4 mile away, it looked like the waves were breaking and they were matching the size of her house, from where I was………. Unreal. Looking towards the sound was this solid white water, and white mist flying off the sea. The sound was almost deafening, as the waves crashed on the beach. At our condo, the huge rollers were coming from the south, and coming from the north, and at our corner, for some reason, that is where they meet. They come together in this high spray of water, and help each other cancel the other out. The leftover water, washes towards the beach, but since all it sees is a seawall, it rushes up, gives up, then falls back to the ocean. We were lucky on this one.
Monday, with no power, we decided to get outdoors, after being cramped inside with no power. Ed ran the generator at the resort, so we could shower, and also, for a couple of hours, to keep the food. Many of the residents, thinking to buy up food, so that they could survive for awhile if needed, lost their food, since the power was shut off.
Martha and I walked the beach by Pirates Point Resort, and found LOTS of conch up by the tree line. The waves were so big, they crashed on the beach and threw conch up high. We walked about a mile from the resort, and threw about 25 conch back into the water, hoping they would stand a chance of surviving. They could have never made the march back down to the water. the hard part, was finding a quite spot between waves, to get close enough to throw the conch back in. !!!! This area is inside the reef, yet there were 4 foot rollers coming in! Crazy.
Tuesday, about 9:00 a.m. power came back on. That was three full days without power. Neither of the other islands, lost power at all. Along with loss of power, came no phones. We could not call and tell people how we were doing, until Tuesday. Even cell phones would not work. That was a bit scary. Tuesday afternoon, people started coming back in. We lost only a dock, and that is due to the fact that the storm took a huge turn and went somewhere else. What is scary is……….. what if it would have hit us full force?? I never worry about the rain, or the wind. It is the sea conditions that become dangerous. Flooding, surge,,,,,,,,,,,, it could have been really much worse. We are SOOOOOOOOO glad that Dean, decided he liked Mexico better than Cayman. Safe in Little Cayman.
Gay and ed and Martha.
Regarding hurricane Dean: as we tracked the hurricane on the Weather Channel and NOAA website frequently, we kept seeing it was coming directly for Jamaica, and south of Grand Cayman. So whatever hit Grand Cayman, we are 80 miles away. This helps us, with the winds being a bit less dramatic, but these storms, can always at the last minute change course (as we saw happen.). Since we knew it would be a category 5, we acted as if that was going to happen. All of our guests left the island on Saturday, August 18th, on the morning flight, except for four who decided to stay, at least they thought they would stay, but then a mandatory evacuation was announced.
Saturday morning, we started prepping. The top pieces of the dock were dismantled, put on a trailer and brought to the resort. The idea is that the base of the dock, will survive (although ours did not this time). There were about 4 docks that were taken out and about 4 docks made it. We put away anything that could be flying debris. Rope lights, chairs, tables, water maker pump pulled from the beach, hammocks, coconuts off the beach. Anything that can be made airborne, can become a danger to property and surely, people. That is why during a hurricane you NEVER go out, until the winds have subsided. That is how people get hurt. They want to “see” what is happening, and flying palm fronds, etc, become very dangerous.
At about 3:00 we were looking good, but still had the dive boat to secure up on our hurricane mooring (the anchor is about the size for a cruise ship, HUGE rope also.), pull the skiff, and board up the windows. At about 3:30, our guys had heard about a charter flight out of Cayman Brac, and they wanted on it. Martha and I convinced Gladys to go. So, Ed, Martha and I continued putting up the boards, until late in the day. There was an outside chance of an early flight out, but we knew we would not make it, timewise. Martha also has a cat, and did not want to leave her cat. Our decision was based on the securing of our dive boat. That was more important to us than getting off the island. A policeman came by, and had us sign waivers if we “chose” to stay.
Sunday, we finished boarding up the resort, then went and boarded up two of the four condos at Sunset Point. Then we went to secure the dive boat, and pull our skiff out of the water, and tied it to a telephone pole. Once we had everything secured, we started getting set up, for however many days, we would be bound inside. The first shocker was that at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, they shut the power. Typically, they will run until it looks like a threat to any lines, or damage to the power plant. Power was DOWN, Sunday 8:00 a.m. We found out later that they told the power plant’s engineers that they HAD to leave. They were willing to stay. So, now with NO power, we set about getting flashlights, food in igloos, water, drinks, pillows, etc, to get as comfortable as possible. We made a port a potty, because no running water, with no power. Ed rigged up a car battery, a converter, and for about 5 hours on the stillest night, we had two fans, that helped us sleep for a few hours. You could not open windows, because of possible damage, or rain. We stayed at our new house, which is like a fortress, with all the block. The condo did well also, and we were lucky that the new sea wall, deterred any waves from coming and stealing our sand. Ha. So, not knowing how bad the storm was, where it was, was the scariest part. I read as long as I could by flashlight, then slept a little. At 6:00 a.m. it sounded as if there was a lull in the wind, so I went to the beach to see HUGE breaking waves, crashing the shore. As I looked from our house, to Gladys’ about 1/ 4 mile away, it looked like the waves were breaking and they were matching the size of her house, from where I was………. Unreal. Looking towards the sound was this solid white water, and white mist flying off the sea. The sound was almost deafening, as the waves crashed on the beach. At our condo, the huge rollers were coming from the south, and coming from the north, and at our corner, for some reason, that is where they meet. They come together in this high spray of water, and help each other cancel the other out. The leftover water, washes towards the beach, but since all it sees is a seawall, it rushes up, gives up, then falls back to the ocean. We were lucky on this one.
Monday, with no power, we decided to get outdoors, after being cramped inside with no power. Ed ran the generator at the resort, so we could shower, and also, for a couple of hours, to keep the food. Many of the residents, thinking to buy up food, so that they could survive for awhile if needed, lost their food, since the power was shut off.
Martha and I walked the beach by Pirates Point Resort, and found LOTS of conch up by the tree line. The waves were so big, they crashed on the beach and threw conch up high. We walked about a mile from the resort, and threw about 25 conch back into the water, hoping they would stand a chance of surviving. They could have never made the march back down to the water. the hard part, was finding a quite spot between waves, to get close enough to throw the conch back in. !!!! This area is inside the reef, yet there were 4 foot rollers coming in! Crazy.
Tuesday, about 9:00 a.m. power came back on. That was three full days without power. Neither of the other islands, lost power at all. Along with loss of power, came no phones. We could not call and tell people how we were doing, until Tuesday. Even cell phones would not work. That was a bit scary. Tuesday afternoon, people started coming back in. We lost only a dock, and that is due to the fact that the storm took a huge turn and went somewhere else. What is scary is……….. what if it would have hit us full force?? I never worry about the rain, or the wind. It is the sea conditions that become dangerous. Flooding, surge,,,,,,,,,,,, it could have been really much worse. We are SOOOOOOOOO glad that Dean, decided he liked Mexico better than Cayman. Safe in Little Cayman.
Gay and ed and Martha.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
First Eyewitness Account; Hurricane Dean on Little Cayman
This first hand account from Little Cayman by Betty Bua Smith, Manager of the Little Cayman office of Tranquil Realty. Betty, her husband Joffer and a stalwart group of Little Caymanians decided to ride out Dean at home despite the Governor's edict to evacuate. Here's her eyewitness story:
Hi Everyone,
Yes, we are all okay! But quite an experience … I apologize to all who emailed and could not return your phone calls but had no email access and once I left the office Thursday I did not return until now. My story below will tell you why!
As hurricane Dean developed we were watching closely and knew that it was going to be a big hurricane. The local people have lived all their lives here dealing with them and seem to have pretty good instincts from stories passed down. Brigitte, Joffer, and I decided we wanted to stay. Many locals also wanted to stay. We evaluated things and felt that we survived well through Ivan and this certainly wasn't going to be anything as bad as Ivan. We felt it would go south from the beginning.
While buying a few things at the store we found out a directive was given by the Governor of the Islands that Little Cayman was under "Mandatory Evacuation". So many people panicked as they were told they had to leave and the flights were shuttling people to Brac. We were called and told we had to go but we said we would sign the waiver to stay. That was Friday evening.
We were told that the power plant people had to leave and that they had to turn off the power. At 8:30 am on Saturday without notice the power was shut off. Of course, with no power we then had no way to monitor the storm. Some of our friends started dropping by that stayed and then it became party time as they all kept saying, "No Storm Coming! Going South"!
The wind was picking up a lot more and we had a few passing rain squalls. Then about 2 am on Sunday morning the wind was howling and lots of heavy rain for about an hour.
We were up early on Sunday and Joffer left with his movie camera on a walk-about at just past 6 in the morning. A fun movie with the tarpon swimming across the road and all the water, wind, and rain, during the peak of hurricane Dean. Then we drove about noon to check what we could as we couldn't go past after Rock House (fine but yard as most a mess) almost to Tarpon Lake but many rocks in the road.
Many people lost their docks but Johnny Johnson's appeared good. This was all early and seas were still pounding. The launching ramp in the village has a maybe 6' gully from the cement to the asphalt. We could see no property damage other than lots of yard work and docks other than a few people with some screens out.
Anyway, 6:30 yesterday (Tuesday) morning things were really getting bad without electricity. 2 freezers, 2 refrigerators packed! By 8:45 we now had power again! So, now to the cleaning out of refrigerators, freezers and the well holding tank. After a wonderful shower, and very late lunch I was too tired to come and set up the office yesterday afternoon and email you all. But here I am back on line!
Thanks again everyone for your emails, calls and prayers!
Hugs to you all!
Betty & Joffer
Hi Everyone,
Yes, we are all okay! But quite an experience … I apologize to all who emailed and could not return your phone calls but had no email access and once I left the office Thursday I did not return until now. My story below will tell you why!
As hurricane Dean developed we were watching closely and knew that it was going to be a big hurricane. The local people have lived all their lives here dealing with them and seem to have pretty good instincts from stories passed down. Brigitte, Joffer, and I decided we wanted to stay. Many locals also wanted to stay. We evaluated things and felt that we survived well through Ivan and this certainly wasn't going to be anything as bad as Ivan. We felt it would go south from the beginning.
While buying a few things at the store we found out a directive was given by the Governor of the Islands that Little Cayman was under "Mandatory Evacuation". So many people panicked as they were told they had to leave and the flights were shuttling people to Brac. We were called and told we had to go but we said we would sign the waiver to stay. That was Friday evening.
We were told that the power plant people had to leave and that they had to turn off the power. At 8:30 am on Saturday without notice the power was shut off. Of course, with no power we then had no way to monitor the storm. Some of our friends started dropping by that stayed and then it became party time as they all kept saying, "No Storm Coming! Going South"!
The wind was picking up a lot more and we had a few passing rain squalls. Then about 2 am on Sunday morning the wind was howling and lots of heavy rain for about an hour.
We were up early on Sunday and Joffer left with his movie camera on a walk-about at just past 6 in the morning. A fun movie with the tarpon swimming across the road and all the water, wind, and rain, during the peak of hurricane Dean. Then we drove about noon to check what we could as we couldn't go past after Rock House (fine but yard as most a mess) almost to Tarpon Lake but many rocks in the road.
Many people lost their docks but Johnny Johnson's appeared good. This was all early and seas were still pounding. The launching ramp in the village has a maybe 6' gully from the cement to the asphalt. We could see no property damage other than lots of yard work and docks other than a few people with some screens out.
Anyway, 6:30 yesterday (Tuesday) morning things were really getting bad without electricity. 2 freezers, 2 refrigerators packed! By 8:45 we now had power again! So, now to the cleaning out of refrigerators, freezers and the well holding tank. After a wonderful shower, and very late lunch I was too tired to come and set up the office yesterday afternoon and email you all. But here I am back on line!
Thanks again everyone for your emails, calls and prayers!
Hugs to you all!
Betty & Joffer
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Hurricane Dean Update - Monday Morning
Last Dean Update
All danger from Hurricane Dean has passed for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Whooppee!!!!
First hand accounts from folks who did not evacuate Little Cayman (you know who you are) witnessed roaring surf and blowing winds but NO real damage anywhere on the island.
Come visit our beautiful island and stay at Condo del Sole, Little Cayman's most luxurious oceanfront accommodation. Located at Sunset Point on the westernmost tip of Little Cayman, Condo del Sole offers all the comforts of home with the most dramatic oceanfront views in the Caribbean.
Little Cayman - REMOTE CIVILIZED PARADISE
No worries! See you in Paradise.
August 20, 6:45am EDT Hurricane Dean Update
Hurricane?? What Hurricane??
The Sister Islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac seem to have Dodged the Dreaded Dean. As of this update, Dean is more than 150 miles due south of Grand Cayman, causing wind gusts at Owen Roberts Airport of about 20 mph. On Stake Bay on Cayman Brac, wind speeds at this time are holding steady at about 5 mph with dry conditions.
August 19, 2007 - 8:15pm EDT
Hurricane Dean has made landfall along the southern tier of Jamaica. The full brunt of this Category 4 storm will be felt all along the southern coast and especially at Portland Point and the Long Bay area.
Later tonight and into tomorrow morning, Dean is expected to impact the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman may experience hurricane force winds with possible significant wind and water damage, as tides may crest as high as 20 feet in some areas. Current projections call for the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to lie outside of the primary hurricane force cone and so may see less damage.
Early Sunday, Little Cayman was put under a mandatory evacuation order. Two dear friends have decided to stay at home on the island face down Dean. The hurricane doesn't have a chance against these good people. Good luck, you two! God be with you. Give 'em hell!
August 19, 2007
Keep hope alive!
As of the early Sunday computer models, Hurricane Dean continues to track south of the Cayman Islands, and particularly south of the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. When Dean passes by the Caymans late Sunday/early Monday as a dangerous Category 4 Hurricane with sustained winds over 145 mph, the Sisters may escape the full brunt of the hurricane force winds. Because Grand Cayman is farther south than the Sisters, it is more difficult to forecast whether the GC will be in the cone of hurricane force winds when Dean pays a call.
We'll update later today...
August 18, 2007
A Glimmer of Hope!
While still a dangerous Category 4/5 Hurricane with sustained winds over 150 mph, the latest computer tracking models from Wunderground Weather Service shows Dean tracking farther south than previous modeling. As of 5 PM on Saturday, Dean's projected path continues to trend farther south of Grand Cayman. If the trend holds, it seems likely that Grand Cayman will take a glancing blow instead of a direct hit and the Sister Islands will be even farther from the full fury of Dean. We'll know soon... Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, on the Brac, there are 3 good Hurricane shelters on that Island and 2 of these can withstand a direct hit from a Category 5. Of course, the amazing Caves in the Brac will also be available for protection from Dean, as they have been hurricane shelters for hundreds of years.
Late today, His Excellency, Governor Stuart Jack issued an order to evacuate Little Cayman
August 16, 2007
Well, it's that time of year again in the West Indies - HURRICANES!!!
The first named storm this year that is headed towards the Cayman Islands has now been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Dean, with maximum sustained winds currently at 150 mph is expected to strengthen to a Category 5 as it heads towards the Cayman Islands. This is a true monster storm. If Dean continues on its current path, it should pass over the Caymans by late Sunday. Current computer projections of Dean's path indicates that the hurricane may pass south of the Cayman Islands.
Little Cayman was spared the brunt of the last major storm to hit in 2004, Hurricane Ivan. Ivan glanced off the Sister Islands with relatively minimal damage while Grand Cayman took a direct hit. With sustained winds of over 200 mph, Ivan leveled Grand Cayman with much of that island resembling a moonscape. Let's hope that Dean is more merciful. Here at Condo del Sole we just extended and reinforced our seawall and will have our hurricane shutters in place, so we should be just fine, although with a Category 5, all bets are off. We'll be updating through the weekend, so stay tuned...
All danger from Hurricane Dean has passed for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Whooppee!!!!
First hand accounts from folks who did not evacuate Little Cayman (you know who you are) witnessed roaring surf and blowing winds but NO real damage anywhere on the island.
Come visit our beautiful island and stay at Condo del Sole, Little Cayman's most luxurious oceanfront accommodation. Located at Sunset Point on the westernmost tip of Little Cayman, Condo del Sole offers all the comforts of home with the most dramatic oceanfront views in the Caribbean.
Little Cayman - REMOTE CIVILIZED PARADISE
No worries! See you in Paradise.
August 20, 6:45am EDT Hurricane Dean Update
Hurricane?? What Hurricane??
The Sister Islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac seem to have Dodged the Dreaded Dean. As of this update, Dean is more than 150 miles due south of Grand Cayman, causing wind gusts at Owen Roberts Airport of about 20 mph. On Stake Bay on Cayman Brac, wind speeds at this time are holding steady at about 5 mph with dry conditions.
August 19, 2007 - 8:15pm EDT
Hurricane Dean has made landfall along the southern tier of Jamaica. The full brunt of this Category 4 storm will be felt all along the southern coast and especially at Portland Point and the Long Bay area.
Later tonight and into tomorrow morning, Dean is expected to impact the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman may experience hurricane force winds with possible significant wind and water damage, as tides may crest as high as 20 feet in some areas. Current projections call for the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to lie outside of the primary hurricane force cone and so may see less damage.
Early Sunday, Little Cayman was put under a mandatory evacuation order. Two dear friends have decided to stay at home on the island face down Dean. The hurricane doesn't have a chance against these good people. Good luck, you two! God be with you. Give 'em hell!
August 19, 2007
Keep hope alive!
As of the early Sunday computer models, Hurricane Dean continues to track south of the Cayman Islands, and particularly south of the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. When Dean passes by the Caymans late Sunday/early Monday as a dangerous Category 4 Hurricane with sustained winds over 145 mph, the Sisters may escape the full brunt of the hurricane force winds. Because Grand Cayman is farther south than the Sisters, it is more difficult to forecast whether the GC will be in the cone of hurricane force winds when Dean pays a call.
We'll update later today...
August 18, 2007
A Glimmer of Hope!
While still a dangerous Category 4/5 Hurricane with sustained winds over 150 mph, the latest computer tracking models from Wunderground Weather Service shows Dean tracking farther south than previous modeling. As of 5 PM on Saturday, Dean's projected path continues to trend farther south of Grand Cayman. If the trend holds, it seems likely that Grand Cayman will take a glancing blow instead of a direct hit and the Sister Islands will be even farther from the full fury of Dean. We'll know soon... Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, on the Brac, there are 3 good Hurricane shelters on that Island and 2 of these can withstand a direct hit from a Category 5. Of course, the amazing Caves in the Brac will also be available for protection from Dean, as they have been hurricane shelters for hundreds of years.
Late today, His Excellency, Governor Stuart Jack issued an order to evacuate Little Cayman
August 16, 2007
Well, it's that time of year again in the West Indies - HURRICANES!!!
The first named storm this year that is headed towards the Cayman Islands has now been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Dean, with maximum sustained winds currently at 150 mph is expected to strengthen to a Category 5 as it heads towards the Cayman Islands. This is a true monster storm. If Dean continues on its current path, it should pass over the Caymans by late Sunday. Current computer projections of Dean's path indicates that the hurricane may pass south of the Cayman Islands.
Little Cayman was spared the brunt of the last major storm to hit in 2004, Hurricane Ivan. Ivan glanced off the Sister Islands with relatively minimal damage while Grand Cayman took a direct hit. With sustained winds of over 200 mph, Ivan leveled Grand Cayman with much of that island resembling a moonscape. Let's hope that Dean is more merciful. Here at Condo del Sole we just extended and reinforced our seawall and will have our hurricane shutters in place, so we should be just fine, although with a Category 5, all bets are off. We'll be updating through the weekend, so stay tuned...
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