Report from Cayman, not good

beachbummer · #1 Postby **beachbummer** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:30 am

Grand Cayman: ‘Devastation beyond imagination’
Monday, September 13, 2004
At 9 am local time on Monday, as the first reports of the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan began to come in, the early morning scene has been described as ‘devastation beyond imagination’.

Mariners Cove, an apartment building at Spotts on the south side of Grand Cayman, has been blown down by the wind completely across the road, blocking all traffic. Extensive damage has also been reported at Ocean Club, another apartment complex in the same area.

Just about every house on the island has lost part or all of its roof, in some cases the debris landing on the roofs of adjacent buildings.

Cars and boats have been swept by floodwaters into the roadways.

Some homes have been completely gutted by the wind and floodwater, with entire contents being swept across the streets. In some houses it is possible to see a high water mark on the walls, evidencing flooding of some 4 to 5 feet.

Whole sections and floors of some apartment buildings have completely disappeared.

Emergency services are experiencing difficulties in responding to requests for assistance because of communications difficulties. Some Cable & Wireless cellular phones are still working sporadically; all other providers have lost service.

Cayman Net News reporters are currently trying to make their way around the island to report on the damage at first hand and further details will be published as soon as circumstances and communications permit.

In a separate report, local journalist Paulette Connolly said on Monday that Hurricane Ivan ripped through the Cayman Islands tearing away homes and other building like "match sticks".

In a live interview on Citadel Radio on Monday, Connolly said that there had been reports of people being killed during the passage of the category five storm that had trucks and cars "floating like toys".

"The winds ripped the apartments like match sticks, the whole island has taken a battering. Cars and trucks were floating away like toys," she said, adding that the storm had battered the island for more than eight hours on Sunday.

Connolly said that while there had been no official death toll, "residents were calling the radio stations to report about deaths."

She said the authorities were on Monday using bulldozers and other heavy equipment in a bid to clear roads that had been under 20 feet of water when the waves rushed through the streets on the island.

"I don't know when the Cayman Islands will ever be like it was before, " she said noting that the British Dependent Territory was now looking to Britain for assistance in the aftermath of the hurricane that has killed at least 60 people during its passage through the Caribbean.

Connolly said that the buildings in the Cayman Islands, known internationally for its banking system, had been constructed under strict building codes and it was "indescribable" the manner in which the buildings were blown away.

She said that the hurricane shelters that were constructed to withstand winds of more than 200 miles per hour had been badly damaged.

"It is unimaginable. We are devastated. The sea went through apartments," the journalist, clearly emotional, said.

and

http://stormcarib.com/reports/2004/cayman.shtml

Sanibel · #2 Postby **Sanibel** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:20 pm

This is why I cringe when I see keyboard experts telling us Ivan missed Cayman...

ohiostorm · #3 Postby **ohiostorm** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:27 pm

Prayers. Hope everyone is ok.

cape_escape · #4 Postby **cape_escape** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:31 pm

What a horrible scene! My prayers are with them and everyone in Ivans path!!!!

BReb · #5 Postby **BReb** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:32 pm

This must be the result of the secondary eyewall that was discussed, 70 mile in diameter. This destruction seems to great otherwise, considering Ivan's distance from Grand Cayman.

beachbummer · #6 Postby **beachbummer** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:35 pm

Sanibel wrote:This is why I cringe when I see keyboard experts telling us Ivan missed Cayman...

I agree Sanibel...Too, I sure wouldn't want to be responsible for telling someone to stay...when these storms have a tendency to make a change in direction or just "close" as they were in the Caymans. This is a serious storm and precautions should be taken. Listen to the pros...!

cape_escape · #7 Postby **cape_escape** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:35 pm

BReb wrote:This must be the result of the secondary eyewall that was discussed, 70 mile in diameter. This destruction seems to great otherwise, considering Ivan's distance from Grand Cayman.

What was Ivan's distance?

#8 Postby **KBBOCA** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:38 pm

What is shocking to consider is that Grand Cayman was probably one of the Caribbean Islands BEST able to withstand a major hurricane in terms of building codes, etc. Can you imagine what would have happened had Ivan really made a direct hit on Kingston and tracked across Jamaica??!!??!!

Thank God Ivan veered away from Jamaica, and may Ivan weaken drastically by some miracle before hitting anywhere else at this strength. A monster indeed.

B-Bear · #9 Postby **B-Bear** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:38 pm

I think the eye was about 30 miles offshore, but he was going through an ERC as he passed. So there was an outer eye wall that was bigger than that. It apparently hit the island.

caneman · #10 Postby **caneman** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:50 pm

B-Bear wrote:I think the eye was about 30 miles offshore, but he was going through an ERC as he passed. So there was an outer eye wall that was bigger than that. It apparently hit the island.

Yes, they got the full brunt of eyewall. I'm afraid there may be mass casualties.

beachbummer · #11 Postby **beachbummer** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:10 pm

URGENT::Tortuga Rum organizing Cayman Relief
From: "Barbara Currie Dailey" <bcdailey AT bellsouth.net>
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 12:46:08 -0400

Gert,
You are our lifeline rightnow. Thank God for your site. Can you please post this information in the appropriate sections...people are desperate to know how to help and someone is finally organizing...

Thank you so much,

Barbara Dailey

-----
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 12:22 PM
Subject: URGENT! - Hurricane Ivan

Dear All,

We regret to inform you that Hurricane Ivan has devestated the Cayman Islands. This catagory 5 Hurricane generated tremendous storm surge, sustained winds reported at 165 mph and gusts at 260 mph causing catastrophic damage.
e have received many emails and calls of concern, condolences, prayers, and love. In an effort to provide relief for the island, Tortuga Imports' Miami Warehouse is accepting donations for the following items:

Canned Foods (including soup)
Can Openers
Water
Bread
Baby Formula
Diapers
Tissue
Napkins
Plastic Utencils/Plates/Cups/Buckets
Medical Supplies
Generators
Satellite Phones
Non-perishable Milk
Stove Top Ranges & Sterno
Drinks
Candles
Lighters/Matches
BBQ Grills & Coal
Cleaning Supplies (Garbage bags, broom, etc.)
Tarps & Tents
Pens & Paper

To help, please bring or send these items to:

Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Efforts
C/O Tortuga Imports, Inc.
14202 S.W. 142 Avenue
Miami, FL 33186
Phone: (305) 378-6668
Toll free: 1-877-486-7884

Everything helps, even 1 can of food. Your continued prayers and support for the Cayman Islands are needed and appreciated. We thank you for taking the time out from your busy schedules to make a donation.

Jacqueline V. Gil
Office Manager
Tortuga Imports, Inc.
D/B/A Tortuga Rum Cake Co.
14202 S.W. 142 Avenue
Miami, FL 33186
Phone: (305) 378-6668 / 1-877-4-TORTUGA
Fax: (305) 378-0990
http://www.tortugarums.com
http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/cayman.shtml

Scorpion · #12 Postby **Scorpion** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:19 pm

Gusts to 260 mph? Is that a typo?

Matthew5 · #13 Postby **Matthew5** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:21 pm

Omg if that 260 was for real then they need to up the winds! :eek:

Mello1 · #14 Postby **Mello1** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:24 pm

Yeah, I've been reading the reports and email messages ~~ it's really bad. The Royal Navy was due to arrive there today.

dennis1x1 · #15 Postby **dennis1x1** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:38 pm

hard to believe how much worse it would have been if eyewall had made landfall....unreal.

#16 Postby **KBBOCA** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:28 pm

Latest report: here
http://www.caymannetnews.com/2004/09/73 ... tion.shtml

The GOOD NEWS: STILL NO REPORTED DEATHS!!

Derek Ortt · #17 Postby **Derek Ortt** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 4:02 pm

the eye wall did make landfall. This goes to show that nothing can withstand a category five hurricane (and this island survived gusts over 150 m.p.h. from Gilbert with only moderate damage

Report from Cayman, not good

Report from Cayman, not good

help sought for Caymans

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