ATL: PALOMA Aftermath in the Caymans and Cuba

[Crostorm]

Published 7th November, 7:18pm
From Hazard Management Cayman Islands’ Joint Communications Service (JCS)

Hurricane Paloma Update: 7:15 p.m. Friday, 7 November 2008

Storm position:

1. Hurricane Paloma is now a category 3 storm. At 7 p.m. Friday, 7 November, the centre of Hurricane Paloma was located near 18.9 N and 81.1 W, or 30 miles south of eastern end of Grand Cayman. Paloma is moving north-northeast at 6 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph.

Key messages:

1. Paloma is now affecting all three Cayman Islands, with tropical storm-force winds. Conditions are expected to deteriorate further.

2. Coastal areas in all three islands are at high risk from storm surge and high waves, as hurricane-force winds impact the island because of recent changes to Hurricane Paloma’s forecast path. Persons are instructed to move to the highest point in their buildings, particularly if they are in single-story buildings. Be sure to take provisions with you.

3. Little Cayman is now expected to be the most affected island. Everyone on Little Cayman should go to the shelter now, because of possible storm surge and flooding.

4. The Sister Islands can expect wave heights up to 15 to 20 feet, with a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.

5. Hurricane winds are expected to begin in Little Cayman at 5 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, 8 November), with maximum sustained winds forecast at 113 mph, gusting to 141 mph. Winds there are expected to drop below tropical storm-force by 5 p.m. Sunday.

6. The expected closest point of approach to Little Cayman is 16 miles.

7. Storm surge in Grand Cayman is expected to be 4 to 6 feet, with wave heights of around 20 to 30 feet.

8. Hurricane-force winds are expected in Grand Cayman by 8:00 p.m. tonight. At this time, the centre of the system is expected to pass over Grand Cayman around midnight. As the storm centre crosses Grand Cayman, winds will become calm for 30-60 minutes, but stronger winds will return from the west to northwest. Do not go outside during this period of calm.

9. The closest point of approach for Grand Cayman is 25 miles, with maximum sustained winds of 72 mph, gusting to 90 mph. Winds are expected to drop below tropical storm-force by 7 a.m. tomorrow.

10. Persons on Cayman Brac who plan to go to shelters should go now. All other persons should stay off the roads.

11. The closest point of approach to Cayman Brac is 25 mph. Sustained winds are expected to 82 mph, gusting to 102 mph. Winds are expected to drop below tropical storm-force by 7 p.m. Sunday.

12. Cayman Islands residents should monitor all media outlets that carry local news in order to stay informed about Paloma.

Advice to local population:

1. In Cayman Brac, the Water Authority’s piped water supply will be interrupted at 7 p.m. tonight. Any customers, who have not completed their hurricane preparations by now, including the storing of water, should do so immediately.

2. There are isolated power outages on Grand Cayman.

3. At this time the NEOC advises that no major incidents have been reported.

The next JCS bulletin will be issued by 11:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, 7 November).

For more information on preparing for storms, visit http://www.caymanprepared.ky .

[Derek Ortt]

expect Little Cayman and Cayman Brac to be leveled

[cycloneye]

wyq614,what is going on in central Cuba in terms of evacuations and preparations?

[CrazyC83]

*prays for everyone in the path*

Hopefully this won't be a repeat of 1932...

[Crostorm]

Calm After Storm/Prospect Area

* From: Arthur McTaggart <arthur at mctaggart.ky>
* Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 06:19:53 -0500

Hi,


Amazingly we still have power in the Prospect/Marina Drive area. Unfortunately lost Internet and landline at 8:45pm last night at my house. Mobile phone service hasn't wavered at all as I'm able to post via my data connection on it.

The winds were tremendous, and brought back some of the traumatic memories of Ivan.

Right now winds quieting down, can't wait for water to be turned on. Dawn is breaking, and I can see the debris all over. Clean up time. The river that was running down Marina Drive has subsided.

My heart and prayers are with my friends and family in the Brac and Little Cayman.

I understand Bodden Town in Cumber Ave has had significant flooding. Most roads are quite clear, a few trees in streets, a few utility wires down. West Bay Road is relatively clear. I've also heard the seas are relatively calm on the west coast.

More later, as time permits,
Arthur


-- Sent via iPhone 3G, please pardon any typographical errors.

http://stormcarib.com/

[cycloneye]

It's gone!
From: <jaroo at weststartv.com>
Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:37:28 -0500

I woke up to now power around 5.30 this morning. Back at my mother's house behind the WB fire Station, power water and internet! Things on the frive didin't look bad at all. WE GOT LUCKY IN WB. Not sure what the rest of the island looks like but once I lear the hurricane supplies form the floor I'll go for a drive and have a look. Might be a wave to surf this afternoon. My thoughts are with thise in the Brac and Little Cayman right now!

http://stormcarib.com/

[cycloneye]

From Jamaica

From: "Ann Lyons" <ann.lyons at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 07:12:38 -0500

Good morning - and sympathies to the Caymans - I feel for you all. Judging by how bad it is here, on the South Coast of Jamaica, miles from Cayman, I can only guess how bad it is. We are experiencing very hurricane like condiitons. The sea is frightening - very high and wild. I haven't checked but we have to hope all the fishermen are in - we didn't really have a lot of warning about Paloma so it is possible there are some left out in this. It is raining off and on with thunder and lightening. Our winds are gusty but high at times. Treasure Beach is usually a pretty dry place and it has been raining all week so there is a lot of standing water but no flooding at this time. I waited to send this until after the 7 a.m. news and there was no mention of a storm - go figure. Good luck to all.

http://stormcarib.com/

[cycloneye]

Cayman Brac info
From: "Chris McTaggart" <cmctagga at candw.ky>
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 08:52:47 -0500


Hi All, I just got word from the Brac that they are still having winds in excess of 100+ MPH and there is a lot of damage. The Aston Rutty Center roof did not blow off it was the Seaman’s building. I was told there is not a leaf on a try, so it sound like they had our “Ivan”. Oh…here is more text from Little Cayman….Power poles down, lines, trees, some home damage, most major resorts are okay as far as they can tell however no known fatalities. I am getting calls from Cayman Brac and too much information to type, major damage to homes, seas are washing through homes on the west and south side with sea water right through.

So much info is coming in to me by phone and they are still in high winds and sounding so scared, Winds were recorded at 6:00 am 155 MPH on Cayman Brac but I am sure we will here even more later. I can’t keep up with the calls folks, I can only say for now they are going to need help. British warship on standby south of Cayman Brac awaiting subsiding conditions to proceed in. I got to get to work and get my airplanes back to Grand Cayman as we too will be providing maximum assistance to the sister islands and I need to get my flight crew regrouped.



I will post later after what I suspect will be a very busy day.

Best regards to all and my best wishes to everyone in Brac and Little Cayman.

Chris

http://stormcarib.com/

[HURAKAN]

I hope everyone survives this storm.

[Chacor]

155 mph? I assume that was a gust reading.

[CrazyC83]

155 mph? I assume that was a gust reading.

Yeah probably. If that is a sustained wind, Paloma is almost a Cat 5!

[cycloneye]

AT 10 AM EST...1500 UTC...THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA HAS ISSUED A
HURRICANE WARNING FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF GRANMA AND HOLGUIN AND
DISCONTINUED THE HURRICANE WARNING FOR SANCTI SPIRITUS. A HURRICANE
WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF CIEGO DE
AVILA...CAMAGUEY...LAS TUNAS...GRANMA AND HOLGUIN. PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

[cycloneye]

CAYMAN BRAC
From: mike barcroft <mbar-cyb at candw.ky>
Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2008 11:13:54 -0500

I am sure that Moses K and local Govt are now out doing full assessments so will not comment on damage - I am sure it was significant in places on the Brac and Little. Also so glad to hear that Little Cayman folks are OK and there are, as far as I know, no reported casualties on the Sister Islands.

Big TY to Chris McTaggart for offer of help in communicating - one good thing about where I work is that we have first class Back-Up Genset and excellent Data/Net/Comms links - which all worked as expected. Chris - u are much better employed getting the aircraft back in place, restoring ops ASAP and regaining soem normalcy for the Islands again.

Big thanks to District Admin for lending me a cup of sugar this morning - needed that coffee badly and it was not going to be the same without sugar - and I think also my strange request caused a little mirth and smiles - everyone I have seen so far - kids and adults, has been in remarkable humour and good spirit. I always said thast the Brackers were toughies - I am sure that we will pull together and get the place ticking over agin ASAP.

Selfishly now - I am anxious to see how my house fared but that may take a while yet due to felled trees, cables, debris etc.

MB

So far good news in terms of no deaths.Lets hope that it continues this way.Damage can be replaced but lives dont.

[msbee]

Our thoughts are with all of you feeling the wrath of Paloma.
I hope everyone will be safe.
Barbara

[cycloneye]

Cayman Brac update (fwd)
From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 14:11:47 -0500 (EST)


Info from Ellen who lives on Grand Cayman.

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 16:09:26 +0000
From: Ellen Schwartz <lilellen at hotmail.com>
To: gert at gobeach.com
Subject: Cayman Brac update


Hearing bits & pieces from the Brac. Carib Sands roof blown off (not sure
which block). Police station lost it's roof.

Of course power lines, debris, etc. everywhere. Lots of houses gone - Brackers
are going to definitely need our assistance when this is completely gone -
ASAP!!!

Ellen Schwartz
TRAVEL PROS


Added later:

Brac Caribbean - heavily damaged. Billy's Supermarket - heavily damaged. Houses on the South Side of the island - heavily damaged. Moses & Mabry's houses on the Bluff - lost roofs

http://stormcarib.com/reports/current/cayman.shtml

[cycloneye]

AT 4 PM EST...2100 UTC...THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS HAS
DISCONTINUED THE HURRICANE WARNING FOR GRAND CAYMAN. A HURRICANE
WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR LITTLE CAYMAN AND CAYMAN BRAC. THIS
WARNING COULD BE DISCONTINUED LATER TONIGHT.

AT 4 PM EST...THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL
STORM WARNING FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS...INCLUDING CAT ISLAND...THE
EXUMAS...LONG ISLAND...RUM CAY...SAN SALVADOR...ACKLINS
ISLAND...CROOKED ISLAND AND THE RAGGED ISLANDS. A TROPICAL STORM
WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN
THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

[cycloneye]

Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman (fwd)
From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 17:32:04 -0500 (EST)

Info from Little Cayman.

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 14:29:20 -0800
From: Craig Buck <tvlbuck at cox.net>
To: gert at gobeach.com
Subject: Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman

I've been in contact with staff at Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman. Just wanted to
pass on that all structures, facilities, staff and guests at the club have weathered
Paloma surprisingly well. The piers were saved (planking removed prior to the storm) and
the dive boats rode out the storm in fine condition. Lost a few palm trees and some
shingles, but everything is safe and sound. Guests sheltered in the bungalows with
"storm coolers" of drinks and food as well as cell phones for everyone with
emergency numbers loaded. They celebrated the passing of Paloma with a breakfast of Eggs
Benedict. As soon as power is restored new guests will be accepted.
Craig

[cycloneye]

Relief supplies for sister islands
From: "Ellen Schwartz" <lilellen at hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 23:45:33 +0000

Harbour house marina will be accepting relief supplies from noon til 6 pm for
delivery to the sister islands for departure first thing monday morning.

Weather permitting boats will depart 1st thing monday morning for cayman brac
"Sent via BlackBerry."

[cycloneye]

Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman (fwd)
From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 17:32:04 -0500 (EST)

Info from Little Cayman.

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 14:29:20 -0800
From: Craig Buck <tvlbuck at cox.net>
To: gert at gobeach.com
Subject: Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman

I've been in contact with staff at Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman. Just wanted to
pass on that all structures, facilities, staff and guests at the club have weathered
Paloma surprisingly well. The piers were saved (planking removed prior to the storm) and
the dive boats rode out the storm in fine condition. Lost a few palm trees and some
shingles, but everything is safe and sound. Guests sheltered in the bungalows with
"storm coolers" of drinks and food as well as cell phones for everyone with
emergency numbers loaded. They celebrated the passing of Paloma with a breakfast of Eggs
Benedict. As soon as power is restored new guests will be accepted.
Craig

[CrazyC83]

It seems they were all taking Paloma in stride in the Caymans...after all their building codes are easily Category 5 capable...

Any word from Santa Cruz del Sur in Cuba? November 9 will surely be a day of infamy there...first in 1932, now in 2008...