In a joint message issued Saturday, June 1, Her Excellency Governor Jane Owen and Premier Honourable Juliana O’Connor-Connolly have urged Caymanians and residents to prepare for what is predicted to be an over-active hurricane season. 

Governor Owen stated that the best way to be ready for a storm or hurricane is to individually and collectively prepare. “In Government, Premier and I are working together along with our uniformed services, Hazard Management, and the UK, including the reassuring presence of the Royal Navy ship in the region so that we are ready and prepared to respond as needed”, she said.

In her contribution, Premier O-Connor-Connolly noted that while “we have been spared serious catastrophe in the past few years we are reminded this year, on this the twentieth anniversary of Hurricane Ivan, of the devastating impact a hurricane can have on our Islands.”

“Our ability to withstand the onslaught of a hurricane as a nation, is related to the responsibility taken by every person, every family, every business and every community, I want to implore everyone across our Islands to start taking necessary precautions and preparations to ensure the safety and security of yourselves, your families and properties.”

Premier O’Connor-Connolly noted that Government, through, the National Weather Service and Hazard Management, is actively working to strengthen the Islands’ preparedness, response and recovery mechanisms. She further stated that Hazard Management Cayman Islands will expand the number of spaces available at emergency shelters by adding over 2500 spaces at the new John Gray High School and an additional 500 spaces at the Bodden Town Church of God. In addition, there will be mental health support for persons relocated at the shelters.

Last week, it was announced that the Cayman Islands National Weather Service’s Kearney Gomez Doppler radar system is now fully operational and resumed active service. The system is an important tool in tracking storm activity during the Atlantic hurricane season. The radar, located in the interior of East End, can detect moisture and water droplets up to 250 miles away from the Cayman Islands and the encircling sea.

The joint hurricane message can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX_vViXxJMY