Gustav a Hurricane Again
Published 29th August, 7:29pm
Hurricane Gustav update: 6:00p.m. Friday, 29 August 2008
From the Joint Communications Service (JCS), Cayman Islands National Emergency Operations Centre
Key messages:
- Rain bands associated with Hurricane Gustav have already begun to affect the Cayman Islands. Flooding of low lying areas is expected and all residents of such areas should have taken the necessary precautions.
- A hurricane WARNING remains in effect for the Cayman Islands since Gustav is a category 1 hurricane.
- Hurricane force winds of up to 85 mph are expected to affect the Sister Islands. Winds are currently out of the northeast with speeds of 40 to 50 mph with higher gusts. The centre of Gustav is expected to pass within 12 miles southwest of the Sister Islands.
- Tropical storm force winds of around 40 mph from the north and northwest will begin to affect Grand Cayman this evening. These will gradually increase to near 55mph by midnight tonight.
- Residents of all three islands should now be indoors and should remain there until the all clear is given.
- At 4:00p.m. local time the centre of Hurricane Gustav was located near 19.2N and 79.7W, or 36 miles south-southeast of the Sister Islands and 100 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman. Gustav is moving northwest near 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.
- Wave heights of between 16 to 18 feet, with storm surge of 1 to 3 feet are expected near the coast in Grand Cayman, and 15 to 20 and 2 to 4 feet respectively in the Sister Islands. All marine interests should remain in safe harbour.
- The Owen Roberts International Airport and the Brac's Gerrard Smith International Airport remain closed.
- The Water Authority anticipates that the water supply on Grand Cayman will not be turned off.
The next JCS bulletin will be issued at 11:00 p.m. local time today (Friday 29 August).
For further information contact: Prudence Barnes