(CMR) Following a meeting of the Chair of the National Hazard Management Council (Acting Deputy Governor) Gloria McField-Nixon, the Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands and the Director General of the Cayman Islands National Weather Service, the Cayman Islands will be placed under a Tropical Storm Warning as of 10:00 a.m. Monday morning.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical-storm-force winds are expected to impact the Cayman Islands within 36 Hours. Grace is forecast to strengthen to a tropical storm by tomorrow Tuesday afternoon.
When the last update was issued at 7 am, Tropical Depression Grace was located about 125 miles east of Port Au Prince, Haiti and moving west at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
The latest update from the National Weather Service (NWS) shows Tropical Depression (TD) Grace is forecasted to cross the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night. TD Grace has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and is moving west at 15 mph. Based on the latest forecast track provided by the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to cross 15 miles northeast of the Sister Islands around 1 am Wednesday morning.
Intensification is forecasted, and the Cayman Islands National Weather Service is calling for the Cayman Islands to be impacted by storm-force winds of 40 to 50 mph. Based on earlier forecast rainfall, up to six inches of rain is expected on the Sister Islands between Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. During the same time, Grand Cayman is forecasted to have two to four inches of rainfall. Note that these numbers are subject to change.
Details of the expected sea conditions will be provided in the next update however persons with marine interests are advised to secure boats and vessels in safe harbor in advance of the storm.
The shoreline, beaches and coastal areas will face wave action and boat owners should secure their vessels. Residents should also avoid swimming, surfing and activities by the shoreline.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands also offers some preparedness tips to members of the public. Residents should:
- Move any debris from their yards that can fly around and damage property
- fill clean water containers with drinking water
- be prepared for any loss of power
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