Ivan forces Cayman Net News to take the 'cue' to move to higher ground

by Roy France

Friday, September 17, 2004

On Sunday 12 September, Desmond Seales, Publisher of Cayman Net News (CNN), and several staff members found themselves threatened by approximately three foot of water lapping outside the glass doors of the CNN offices. Almost one foot of water had entered the office already and the staff were also threatened by other additional torrential elements associated with the forceful Hurricane Ivan.

Prior to their ordeal, Mr Seales and his staff members had all decided that, rather than batten down in their respective homes, they would be safer weathering the storm at the seemingly stronger and better situated location of their offices in Alissta Towers on North Sound Road.

Along with important documents, such as passports and insurance policies, Mr Seales and his staff were armed to the teeth with flashlights, food supplies, radio, laptop computers, power pack batteries and cellular telephones. Mr Seales' staff were online tracking the developments of Hurricane Ivan, intent throughout their ordeal, not just to secure their own personal safety, but to continue in Cayman Net News' mission to make information available to the public: information without bias, but rather with facts, especially as it relates locally.

In an effort to keep this ship of information afloat, the Captain, Mr Seales, instructed each hand on deck accordingly, as each had their own battle station to man to ensure effective dissemination of this vital information as soon as it was made available.

However, even with this important task at hand, as the minutes ticked by, the plans to remain on deck seemed to be falling in the rising currents of this turbulent hurricane.

The writing was now on the wall, with water streaming across the floors and trickling from the ceilings above. Inside, as well as outside the water rose, and so did the fear of the staff. Abandoning the vessel was now the only alternative; therefore they decided to seek refuge at a more secure site.

The Publisher quickly identified the Corner Pocket Pool Lounge, located upstairs from the Cayman Net News offices, as a better location and was kindly granted permission by its owner and operator, Mr Phillip Parsons, to take his staff inside and stay until the storm had passed.

Once in a safer location, the relieved staff were able to continue in their important mission of providing information to the public, all the time receiving the kind hospitality of Mr Parsons and his staff.

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