STORM UPDATE
National Hurricane Committee Issues 'All Clear'
Thursday, August 12, 2004
The National Hurricane Committee (NHC) issued the All-Clear with effect from
1:30 p.m. today (Thursday), bringing to a close a 24-hour vigil that closed
offices and kept residents indoors while Hurricane Charley surged forward
dangerously close to Grand Cayman on one side and the Sister Islands on the
other.
“It has been a close call and we are thankful that we have once again been
spared,” said Deputy Chief Secretary Donovan Ebanks who headed the operations of
the National Hurricane Committee. “It is even more sobering in light of the
current intensification taking place as it moves away.” Mr. Ebanks noted that
there had been no reports of injuries or damage to property.
With Charley’s departure, the Islands’ two airports are reopening this
afternoon and the national flag carrier, Cayman Airways, is expecting the return
of its first flight back to Grand Cayman early afternoon. Other carriers are
expecting to resume services as early as possible; members of the travelling
public should contact their carriers for details.
In the meantime, the Islands should continue to expect some adverse weather
from the receding system. This includes windy conditions on all islands and
heavy wave action and rough seas on all coasts, particularly southern and
western coasts. Marine interests are urged to continue to take all precautions.
At 1 p.m., the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported the centre of
Tropical Storm Charley near latitude 20.4 north and longitude 81.5 west, moving
WNW at 17 mph. Currently, maximum sustained winds are 105 mph with higher gusts.
This makes it a Category 2 hurricane. Tropical storm-force winds continue to
extend out 125 miles from the centre.
In the Government sector, essential services such as immigration, customs,
medical, etc., are scheduled to resume normal services. Other departments are
expected to resume full operations on Friday morning, unless directed otherwise
by respective heads of departments. Employees in the private sector should
contact their employers immediately to determine when they should report to
work.
Hurricane Charley is expected to make a gradual turn to the north-northwest
continuing its track away from the Islands, and some strengthening is expected
during the next 24 hours.
The National Hurricane Committee is grateful for the high level of
co-operation that has been shown by the public, the media and all those teams
and individuals involved in managing the preparations against this threat.
This is the last advisory to be issued by the NHC, but residents should
continue to monitor weather statements issued by the C.I. National Weather
Service through the local media.
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