TROPICAL STORM WATCH

At 10 a.m. on Sunday August 5th, Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near Latitude 15.0N and Longitude 77.1W or 409 miles South East of George Town, Grand Cayman. Minimum central pressure is 1006 MB. Maximum sustained are near 50 MPH with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds extend outwards approximately 125 miles.

THE CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR GRAND CAYMAN AND ALL RESIDENTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF TROPICAL STOM ERNESTO

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA…IN THIS CASE WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS.

Ernesto is currently heading West near 23 miles per hour. This motion is expected to continue today and tonight with a decrease in forward speed. Some strengthening is possible as the storm moves across the Western Caribbean Sea. On the forecast track the centre of Ernesto is expected to pass South of the Cayman Islands on Monday.

The Cayman area can expect cloudy to overcast skies with frequent showers and thunder tonight and tomorrow. Southeast winds of 20 to 25 knots with higher gusts are expected tonight. Weather models forecast 1.50 to 2.00 inches of rainfall accumulation from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon. This will lead to flooding of low lying areas and all residents should exercise caution.

Additionally the Cayman area can expect increasing winds and deteriorating marine conditions from tonight. All marine interests should seek safe harbor this evening and remain there.

Tropical Storm conditions are possible in Grand Cayman tonight and early Monday.

The closest point of approach to the Cayman Islands from the centre of Ernesto is currently forecast to be approximately 230 miles away tomorrow afternoon. Based on that forecast track the rain bands from Tropical Storm Ernesto will affect the Cayman Islands from this afternoon.

The Core Group of the National Hazard Management Council will meet at around 4.30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and at that time a decision will be made by the Deputy Governor regarding whether or not Government offices will open on Monday. Following the meeting, the decision will then be communicated through Radio Cayman and other media sources and also posted on the Cayman Prepared website.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS STORM.

ALL RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO STAY TUNED TO THE LOCAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.From previous release:

Residents should have a week’s supply of non-perishable food and water, a portable radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries available at all times, but particularly during the hurricane season. For a complete list of items you should have in your emergency supply kit, and other tips for protecting your life and property visit Cayman Prepared.ky; or stop by at the Hazard Management office in the Government Administration Building.

Post Office Advisory

Collect your mail during a hurricane watch

When it comes to natural disasters such as hurricanes, it pays to be prepared. The Cayman Islands Postal Service would like customers to include collecting their mail as part of their personal disaster preparedness plan and to understand the mail process during this hurricane season.

The first thing to be aware of is when to start collecting mail. This should be done once the National Hazard Management Council (NHMC) declares a Watch, or sooner if possible.

Most residents may be aware of the three phases of notification the NHMC issues when a hurricane is approaching the Cayman Islands. In Phase 1, an alert is issued when tropical storm/hurricane conditions could begin to affect the Islands within 48 hours. Phase 2 is a watch, which means that within 36 hours, tropical storm and hurricane conditions could begin to affect the Islands. A warning is given when tropical storm/hurricane conditions are possible within 24 hours. While it is okay to collect mail and parcels at any time during these phases, again the sooner customer begins collecting their mail, the better.

However, bear in mind that once the Deputy Governor gives permission for government buildings to close, the Postal Service begins to pack away the mail for safe keeping. This process involves securing all mail – envelopes, parcels, registered and EMS packages – in watertight storage containers.

“Once the NHMC declares a hurricane watch, we would like the public to start coming in to collect their mail and parcels from Parcel Post. Ideally, we would like to be included on everyone’s checklist,” said Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow.

She explained the process of securing the mail: “Our plans call for every piece of mail to be secured. We begin by rubber-banding the mail in each post box during the Watch phase. But once government offices are advised to close, we start putting the mail in heavy-duty plastic bags. The bags are taped and stored in large plastic tubs, which are covered and sealed to provide further security. As much as possible, we store the tubs containing the mail off the floor. “

Ms. Glasgow noted that another aspect of mail readiness is for customers to store their post-office keys in a safe place, along with important documents. “Remember, there is a $30 charge to replace locks,” she noted.

“The important thing for the public to remember is that by the time government offices start to close, Post Office employees are putting away the mail for safekeeping, and it is then too late to collect your mail or parcels,” Ms. Glasgow emphasised.

Please note that once the “all clear” is given and post offices reopen for business, it takes a few hours to unpack all the mail and parcels.

Police urge people to prepare for Tropical Storm

Although the path of Tropical Storm Ernesto still remains unclear, the RCIPS is urging home and business owners to start making all necessary precautions to secure their property and belongings in preparation for any potential evacuation.

“If you do have to leave your property, please make sure that your doors and windows are locked and that you close your hurricane shutters if you have them,” said Acting Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton. “If you have to leave any valuables behind, make sure that they are safely protected within your  homes and that you take all necessary steps to make your premises as safe and secure as possible. You should also make sure that your valuables are security marked and that you take notes of makes, models, serial numbers and take photographs. These simple security steps will assist in the recovery of your property if it goes missing.”

Mr. Walton continued, “The duties of the RCIPS in the event of Tropical Storms or Hurricanes are many and varied and include shelter security, protecting critical infrastructure and, of course, maintaining law and order. Any criminal activity before, during or after any storm activity will not be tolerated and those who engage in it will be dealt with appropriately.”

Business owners are reminded that they should make immediate application for curfew exemption passes. In the event of a Hurricane and the declaration of a curfew, the passes will be issued to key personnel who work within the private sector to allow them to work past the curfew times, as and when required, to assist in the post-hurricane recovery process.

The application form for the exemption passes can be found on the Hurricane Section of the RCIPS website by clicking here.

The curfew applications should be filled in and taken to the nearest police station within your district. The District Commander will vet the applications which must be accompanied by a photo ID of the person whom the application is for. The District Commander will decide whether the application meets the criteria, in accordance with the Police Law 2010 Revision, Section 49 and the Police ( Emergency Powers)Regulations 2004 Revision