🌀 Cayman Islands residents urged to prepare for hurricanes

As Hurricane Helene wreaks havoc in Florida, residents of the Cayman Islands are reminded of their own experiences with major storms. The islands have previously been hit by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Paloma in 2008. However, many people currently living in the Cayman Islands have not experienced a major storm and may not be adequately prepared. 🌧️

In an interview with CNS, retired DoE chief enforcement officer Ladner Watler shared his survival story from Hurricane Ivan. Watler, along with eight adults (one of whom was pregnant) and two children, managed to escape the storm surge in a boat that was in his carport. With two more months of the current Atlantic hurricane season remaining, Watler is urging residents to take storm warnings seriously and move to higher ground if a major storm is approaching. He also emphasized the importance of knowing how to swim, as it could potentially save lives during a storm. 🏊‍♂️