Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th, but it is crucial to recognise that hurricanes can form outside of this date range.
The Caribbean Sea and tropical Atlantic basin were predicted to experience the La Niña effect during the 2024 season. La Niña weakens the wind shear over the sea, which in turn allows storms to develop and intensify. This is why forecasters predicted a 'hyperactive' hurricane season in the Atlantic basin in 2024, with one forecast predicting as many as 33 named storms. An average year sees 14 hurricanes. Peak hurricane months for the Cayman Islands are September and October. Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) advises early preparation, urging residents not to wait for imminent threats.
Helpful Tip
Visit Cayman Prepared to find a list of helpful emergency contacts. Make sure to save these numbers before a storm is due to hit.
The majority of properties in the Cayman Islands are built to high standards and the code requirements make them generally very resistant to high winds. However, tropical storms and hurricanes are a significant threat, especially from flooding associated with storm surge and very large waves that may accompany these weather systems. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004, it took a minimum of about three weeks for residents to get their electricity back and about two weeks for water, so it’s important to be prepared.
Read on for a breakdown of how to prepare. Also, get the comprehensive hurricane information pack from Hazard Management at www.caymanprepared.ky/hurricanes.
Make a Plan
Take time now to gather the supplies and knowledge you will need for when a storm arrives. Having a plan for you and your family is crucial to determine how you can best protect yourselves from the threats associated with high winds and flooding. You will need to know where you can evacuate to and where you can shelter safely, bearing in mind that the level of the sea rose by 10 to 12 feet in 2004 during Hurricane Ivan, causing significant damage to homes and the destruction of vehicles.
Decide where you are going to stay for the duration of a hurricane well ahead of time. If your home is strong, elevated and away from the coastline, then it is probably the best place to ride out a storm. Check with neighbours ahead of time and ask about the vulnerability of the surrounding area in which you live. Many people are often able to take shelter at their place of work or a friend’s house on higher ground.
If you decide that it is safe to stay in your home, find the safest areas in your house and potential escape routes as well. If you determine that your property is not strong enough (or if the location in which you live makes it vulnerable), then plan to evacuate. Low-lying areas inland, near or on the coast are at particular risk from a storm surge, and those who live directly on the coastline have the significant threat of waves.
Make sure your home and property insurance is up to date and that you understand what your coverage provides. Photograph your property for insurance claims and store securely. Prepare for potential extended outages of power, water, gas, phone and internet.
Public Shelters
Emergency shelters are certainly an option to consider. There are 17 emergency shelters in Grand Cayman, seven of these are also Emergency Medical Centres (EMC), and two of these are pet-friendly. Depending on the threat severity, HMCI may open select shelters. Cayman Brac has three shelters and Little Cayman has one. Check out the map to find the one nearest to you.
Prepare
Your Property
Make sure your property is as secure as possible. Trim trees, remove dead wood, and assess hurricane shutters. If you do not have shutters for windows and doors, stock up on plywood and get it cut and labelled for each opening. Repair loose roofing and consider adding hurricane straps. Service cisterns, empty cesspools, and plan emergency boat storage.
Your Kit
Stock up on hurricane supplies. Begin collecting enough non-perishable food, water, first aid and other survival supplies to last each person about a week. A good idea is to buy the supplies a little at a time, picking up some extras with each trip to the supermarket. After Hurricane Ivan, it took 3–8 weeks for electricity and landline telephones and about 1–2 weeks for water supplies to be restored to most parts of Cayman. Don’t forget any prescription medication your family may need and special items for the young and elderly. Always keep your vehicle gas tank full or halfway full during hurricane season. You can use our hurricane checklist on the next page to help you prepare.
Stay Informed
It is important to tune in to Radio Cayman, the Cayman Islands National Weather Service, HMCI and other official Government information sources when a hurricane is threatening.
National Emergency Notification System (NENS)
The Cayman Islands Government offers a free mobile app that delivers emergency alerts directly to your phone and you can choose to receive these alerts by email and SMS text. The app provides reliable and timely information to the public relating to major national incidents such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, large fires, airport incidents and chemical incidents. In an emergency, an alert will go off on your phone (even if it is on silent mode), letting you know that there is an issue that requires your immediate attention.
The alert notification will include details of the incident or situation and where it is primarily located (if possible). It will also include any essential public safety messaging, such as instructions to stay away from an incident area or advice to seek higher ground in the unlikely event of a tsunami. NENS is only used for very significant situations and there is no use of your personal information other than for sending emergency alerts. To download the app, visit www.nens.gov.ky.
