TS Gustav Update: 6:00 p.m. Wednesday
Published 27th August, 6:20pm
Tropical Storm Gustav Update: 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Key messages:
- Tropical Storm Gustav is expected to regain hurricane strength tomorrow evening as it passes north of Jamaica. Tropical storm force winds are likely to start affecting the Sister Islands from around 2:00 a.m. Friday, 29 August.
- Therefore, the Cayman Islands remain under a hurricane WATCH. This means that hurricane conditions could begin to affect the Islands within 36 hours.
- The timing of local activities such as airport closures, etc., will be announced to residents.
- At 4:00 p.m., the centre of Tropical Storm Gustav was located near 19.1 N 74.4 W, or 354 miles east of the Sister Islands and 456 miles east of Grand Cayman. Gustav is moving west to northwest at 3 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph.
- The forecast is for Gustav to be a category 1 hurricane as it passes north of the Sister Islands around 1 a.m. Friday.
- The Sister Islands Emergency Committee is monitoring Tropical Storm Gustav and making preparations, and keeping in close touch with Hazard Management Cayman Islands.
- Cayman Islands residents should monitor all local media outlets that carry local news in order to stay informed about Gustav.
Advice to local population:
- Residents are advised to secure loose materials in yards and on jobsites.
- Residents should always be in a state of readiness during hurricane season. Among other activities, this would include:
- Having food and medicine supplies
- Having shuttering supplies
- Having important documents, including travel documents, in order
- Looking after marine interests
- Having a pet safety plan
- Checking your generator and having fuel
- Making sure that your family, and persons who will be staying with you in the event of a storm, are aware of the plan.
The next JCS bulletin will be issued at 11 p.m. local time today.
For further information contact: Kenisha Morgan