On advice from the Director General of the Cayman Islands National Weather Service and the Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands; Deputy Governor and Chairman of the National Hazard Management Executive Hon. Franz Manderson has placed the Cayman Islands under a Hurricane Watch as of 4pm today, Sunday 3 November 2024.

The Hurricane Watch is anticipated to be changed to a Hurricane Warning as of 4am Monday 4 November, 2024.

At 4pm the system was located approximately 515 miles south-southeast of Grand Cayman and moving in a north-easterly direction at 7 miles per hour. The latest forecast track has the system moving between Grand Cayman and Little Cayman by midday Tuesday 5 November 2024.

The Cayman Islands National Weather Service indicates the following conditions for the Cayman Islands are likely;

Little Cayman and Cayman Brac:

• Rainfall: Up to 11.5 inches
• Winds: Tropical Storm force winds in excess of 39 miles per hour (Gusts up to hurricane force strength of 74mph are likely)
• Wave heights: Estimated to peak between 9 to 13 feet.

Grand Cayman:

• Rainfall: Up to 6 inches
• Winds: Tropical Storm force winds in excess of 39 miles per hour (With gusts up to hurricane fore strength of 74mph)
• Wave heights: Estimated to peak between 9 to 13 feet.

FLOOD WARNING: A warning is in effect for all three islands.

MARINE WARNING: A marine warning is in effect for all three islands. All marine vessels are to seek and remain in safe harbour. Increase wave action is anticipated across all three islands which will likely result in property damage along some coastal regions.

As of 12pm Monday 6 November 2024 sand for sandbags will be made available at the following locations:

Grand Cayman

• George Town, Linford Pierson Highway
• Bodden Town, Agriculture Pavilion
• West Bay Fire Station
• East End Fire Station

Cayman Brac

• Cotton Tree Bay
• Watering Place Gardens

The public are reminded to travel with their own sandbags where possible. Support for those who are not able to fill sand bags will be provided from 12pm to 2pm and then again from 4pm to 6pm.

Government services and schools will open on Monday 6 November. Schools and nonessential government services will be closed on Tuesday 7 November.

An update on shelter openings will be provided on Monday. 

Residents are encouraged to closely monitor the progress of this system and are advised to continue taking stock of the status of their hurricane preparedness.

For the latest and most accurate information residents should visit the www.gov.ky and or visit www.caymanprepared.gov.ky