Issued by: Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure

National Roads Authority and Public Works Department Prep
for Adverse Weather System

Grand Cayman – Members of the National Roads Authority and Public Works Department met this morning (Friday, September 23) to finalise preparations for an adverse weather system, which has the potential to affect the Cayman Islands early next week.

Managing Director of the National Roads Authority, Edward Howard said the teams reviewed plans for deployment of crews and equipment across Grand Cayman in preparation for flooding and clearance of roadways. “The National Roads Authority has a fully prepared equipment and personnel mobilisation plan that includes equipment capable of road clearing and emergency repairs stationed in each district. We are also on standby to support PWD in whatever areas that are needed,” he stated.

Mr. Howard further noted,” Vacuum trucks and other drainage equipment were serviced in anticipation of the hurricane season. We have cleaned and cleared existing culvert systems in a number of areas including Rex Crighton Boulevard, South Sound, Esterley Tibbets Highway, among others. In addition, since August last year, we installed close to one hundred and fifty new wells to address drainage and flooding issues.

Acting Director, Public Works Department Troy Whorms said that all the Department’s fleet and stores are ready in the event of a hurricane.  He said , “During PWD/NRA joint preparedness hurricane exercise earlier this year, our teams tested for overall hurricane readiness, shuttered up key government buildings and shelters, checked and started standby generators and verified that cistern water levels were at an acceptable level and state. Our plan is shutter all Class A buildings this afternoon and the other government buildings on Saturday”.

Minister of Infrastructure Hon. Jay Ebanks has thanked the teams from the various agencies for all the work completed in preparation of the hurricane season. “Being prepared is the key to mitigating the impact of any system on us. I want to encourage members of the public to put their personal plans into action and also to exercise caution on the roads,” Minister Ebanks said.

The joint hurricane preparedness exercise, which took place in May, is a critical facet of the Cayman Islands’ government emergency preparedness activities.