Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. Hurricane Ivan, which hit Grand Cayman in September 2004, has reinforced to all Cayman residents the need to be well prepared. Very good hurricane information packs are available from either the Government Information Services in Cricket Square (Tel: 345- 949 8092) or from Island Heritage Insurance (Tel: 345- 949 7280). They list, amongst other things, your nearest hurricane shelter.

 Being on a small, flat island has its own problems particularly relating to rising sea levels due to storm surge, so make sure, in the event of a major hurricane, you can move to at least 10 feet above sea level. In general however, due to strict building codes, most modern buildings are built to withstand a category five hurricane.

 Typically you should prepare for 5–7 days of outages although if a very bad hurricane is expected you might consider evacuating the Island as services might be unavailable for over a week. After Hurricane Ivan (a category five hurricane) it took 3–8 weeks for electricity and telephones to be restored and about 1–2 weeks for water supplies to be restored to most parts of Cayman.

 Having a portable radio with extra batteries is very important. Radio Cayman 89.9FM is a good radio station for hurricane information and updates on how the storm is progressing, although your favourite radio station will also keep you updated.

 Preparation is the key – it’s too late to install hurricane shutters or a generator during the hurricane season as parts take time to order and install. It’s too late to measure up and try to fit plywood shutters, or to buy your supply kits when a hurricane is imminent as other people will be doing the same and items may run short and you will run short of time. It’s too late to think about saving your personal items or important documents on the way to the hurricane shelter. It’s too late to fill the car with gas, fill water containers, create ice or get money from the bank when a hurricane is imminent as the water and power may be turned off 12 hours before the hurricane hits! Remember that weather conditions will turn wet and windy well before the hurricane is due to hit so your preparations will be further hampered.

 Finally work out where you are going to stay if your house is evacuated. Hurricane shelters are one option, but another is to stay at a commercial office which has been built to withstand category 5 hurricanes. Also take out enough cash to last you for a few weeks, as no one will take personal cheques after a storm, ATM machines won’t work and banks may ration cash withdrawals.

Hurricane Supply Kit - Things to prepare in advance of the hurricane season

• Plywood & screw nails for windows/doors (if necessary)

• Oil and petrol for generator (optional)

• Portable gas cooker and refills

• Charcoal, lighter fluid

• Flashlight, lantern and oil

• Matches/lighter in watertight bag

• Battery operated radio & extra batteries

• Battery operated fan & extra batteries

• First aid kit, personal medication,   sun screen & feminine supplies

• Candles (including citronella candles as mosquitoes will be around after a storm)

• Mosquito coils and/or spray

• Life vests, galoshes & whistle

• Rope/strong twine, duct/packing tape

• Shut off wrench, pliers

• Plastic sheeting to cover furniture

• Tarp for roof

• Surgical & yard gloves (for clean up after hurricane)

• Paper towel, toilet paper, napkins

• Disposable plates, plastic glasses, plastic forks and spoons

• Aluminium foil, plastic freezer bags

• Can opener/knife

• Clorox wipes (for cleaning cutlery)

• Chlorine bleach (for sterilizing water) and Dettol (for disinfecting hands and feet)

• Hand sanitizer (such as Germ X), and baby-wipes (for personal hygiene)

• Ice chest and ice

• Broom, mop, bucket & rubbish bags

• Pet food

• Baby supplies: nappies & wipes

• Books, magazines, games

Useful Websites

US National Hurricane Centre

www.nhc.noaa.gov

Cayman National Hurricane Committee

www.caymanprepared.ky

Caribbean Hurricane Network

www.stormcarib.com

Weather Underground

www.wunderground.com

Food & Water Supplies - Purchase 5–7 days supply of non-perishable items before hurricane season starts

• Drinking water (allow 1 gallon per person per day – also used for washing face, teeth and hands)

• Energy drinks, fruit juices

• Spam, corned beef, canned fish, Vienna sausages

• Miracle Whip (not mayonnaise)

• Peanut butter, jelly

• Bread, crackers, cookies

• Canned spray cheese

• Canned soup, cup-of-noodles, ravioli, spaghetti

• Canned fruit, dried fruit, raisins

• Baked beans, canned vegetables

• Peanuts and other snacks

• Pop tarts, other breakfast bars

Things to Do (2–3 days before the storm)

• Fill cars with gasoline and move them to higher ground

• Withdraw cash from bank. ATMs won’t work without power

• Bring in everything from outside, i.e. bird feeder, hose, barbecue, chairs, potted plants

• Secure boat and remove all equipment, i.e. battery, CD player, life jackets, etc.

• Make arrangements for the safety of your pets

• Move furniture and belongings away from windows & doors

• Silicone around outside doors to create a watertight seal

• Fill sandbags sufficient to protect ground level outside doors

• Pick up carpets from floor, take down drapes from windows and store in plastic bags

• Pack irreplaceable and precious items into large plastic bags or Rubbermaid containers/tubs and seal with tape

• Do laundry as it may be a long time before you can do it again

• Clean tubs and fill with water including the bath

• Turn freezer and fridge to the coldest setting. If power goes out food and ice will last longer

• Freeze water

• Charge cell phones and have cell phone charger that plugs into car lighter

• Consider blocking toilets with old towels so toilets do not back up, treat toilet bowls with Rid-X

• Treat sinks with Drano

• Have empty gallon bottles to fill with water for bathing and flushing purposes

• Make sure you have old towels, shirts, etc. to line doors and windows for water seepage

• Have raincoats handy as it might rain for several days after the hurricane

• Make sure you have the phone numbers of family and friends and that they have yours

• Secure valuable documents (see details in table)

Important Documents & Records - Store in a portable, watertight container

• Passport, birth certificate

• Driver’s licence

• Photographs of home/other building for homeowner’s insurance

• Photographs of vehicles for insurance purposes

• Photographs of valuable household items

• Inventory of household (itemised)

• Bank account and credit card information

• Insurance policies, wills, contracts, deeds