Over 200 workers from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Roads Authority (NRA)  fanned out across Grand Cayman this morning (Thursday, May 2, 2013) to put up, inspect and then remove hurricane shutters from more than 100 Government buildings.

Recreation Parks and Cemeteries Unit employees, who are now part of PWD following the recent merger, were involved in the preparedness exercise for the first time.

Commenting that operations were scheduled to be completed by early this afternoon, PWD Director Max Jones adds that in the face of a coming storm staff are comforted by their knowledge that they can complete their professional duties in time to ensure that they are also able to carry out personal preparations.

With hurricane season less than a month away, Mr Jones also urged the public to decide from now how they will protect the glass windows and doors in their homes and offices in the event of a storm.

The first Government shuttering exercise took place in 1988 about a month before the onset of Hurricane Gilbert.

Photo captions: Photos by ACIO Suzette Ebanks

1.         A team of workers shutter the courts building this morning. One steadies the ladder as the other pulls the accordion shutters across.

2.         Shutters also went up at the George Town, Town Hall.

3.         A pair of workers install shutters on the Public Library in George Town. During the year the shutters are stored on the PWD compound.