Hurricane Ike Update: 7 am Monday 8 September

Published 8th September, 8:55am

From Hazard Management Cayman Islands’ Joint Communications Service

All times are LOCAL

Key messages

• The Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Cayman Islands.
• Hurricane Ike has been overland in eastern Cuba throughout the night and has therefore weakened slightly. Maximum sustained winds at 4:00am local time were 105mph. Further weakening is expected today as long as the system remains overland.
• The current projection is for the Sister Islands and for Grand Cayman to experience winds of 25-30mph this afternoon.
• If the projected turn from the west to a west-northwesterly track is delayed and the westerly track continues, there is the possibility that the Sister Islands could experience slightly stronger winds, possibly of Tropical Storm force intensity (greater than 39 mph).
• While the system has weakened, Hurricane Ike has not contracted and Tropical Storm force winds at 4:00am extended outward up to 200 miles.
• Hurricane Ike was moving west at 15mph with a gradual turn to the west-northwest expected during the course of today.
• At 4:00am today, the centre of Hurricane Ike was located 191 miles northeast of the Sister Islands.
• The Cayman Islands National Weather Service and Hazard Management Cayman Islands will continue to monitor the system today.
• Residents, especially those on the Sister Islands, should continue to monitor local weather announcements.
• The next statement from the National Hazard Management Council will be issued this afternoon following the 4:00pm (local time) update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami unless there are significant developments during the course of today.

For further information contact: Cornelia Oliver