TS Gustav Update: 7:00 a.m. Friday
Published 29th August, 8:00am
Tropical Storm Gustav update: 7:00 a.m. Friday, 29 August 2008
From Hazard Management Cayman Islands’ Joint Communications Service (JCS)
Key messages:
- A hurricane WARNING remains in effect for the Cayman Islands.
- Tropical Storm Gustav is expected to become a category 1 hurricane later today.
- Tropical storm force winds of around 50 mph from the north and northwest will begin to affect Grand Cayman from around 7 to 8 p.m. tonight. These will gradually increase to near category one hurricane force by early Saturday morning.
- Tropical storm force winds will begin to affect the Sister Islands from around 1:00 p.m. this afternoon. Winds will first be northeasterly with speeds of 50 mph with higher gusts and gradually increasing near hurricane strength (60mph, with higher gusts) between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
- At 4:00 a.m. local time, the centre of Tropical Storm Gustav was located near 18.1 N and 78.1W, or 157 miles southeast of the Sister Islands, and 230 miles east to southeast of Grand Cayman. Gustav is moving west to northwest near 8 mph, with maximum sustained winds of near 65 mph.
- Three to five inches of rainfall are expected, so some flooding of low-lying areas is likely. All residents should take necessary precautions.
- Marine conditions are expected to deteriorate from mid-morning today. All marine interests should therefore already be in safe harbour, and should remain there until further notice.
- Owen Roberts International Airport remains in full emergency mode, streamlining the departure check in process in tent facilities outside the terminal building.
- Cayman Airways’ final replacement flights depart at approximately 10 am to Miami and Tampa. The last arriving flight from Miami arrives at 9:05am. All of Saturday’s scheduled flights are cancelled.
- Because of Gustav’s unpredictability and strength, residents are encouraged to check local weather updates early in the morning.
Advice to local population:
- Residents are advised to secure loose materials in yards and on jobsites.
- Farmers and pet owners should ensure their animals are protected.
- Residents should always be in a state of readiness during hurricane season. Among other activities, this would include:
- Securing outdoor furniture and awnings
- Securing automobiles, especially topping-up the gas tank
- Having food and medicine supplies
- Having shuttering supplies
- Having important documents, including travel documents, in order, and in waterproof wrapping
- Looking after marine interests
- Having a pet safety plan
- Checking your generator and 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.
Remember:
- Avoid using open-flame stoves and candles near drapes, open windows and flammable materials
- Do not store fuel indoors
- Do not operate generators indoors
- Ensure that building openings are protected
- Ensure that doors and windows can be securely locked
Additional weather information
- As the storm heads towards the Cayman Islands, weather conditions will continue to deteriorate with the Sister Islands being the first to be affected early this afternoon.
- Grand Cayman: The center of the system is expected to pass within 32 miles north of Grand Cayman, and the northeast portions of the island will be affected by the southern edge of the eye wall. Those areas may therefore experience stronger wind gusts of 75-80 mph, between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m. Saturday. Winds will gradually move through the west and southwest from 2:00 a.m. Winds will fall below tropical storm force by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.
- Sister Islands: Wave heights may reach 15 to 20 feet, with a storm surge of 1 to 3 feet near the coast. A maximum speed of 75 mph is forecast for the Sister Islands during these times. Winds will shift to the southeast from around 8 p.m., and gradually decrease to below tropical storm force winds by 5 a.m. on Saturday.
- Cloudy to overcast skies, with periods of heavy thundershowers and squally conditions, are expected to spread across the Cayman Islands beginning today.
The next JCS bulletin will be issued at 10:30 a.m. local time today (Friday 29 August).
For further information contact: Cornelia Oliver