🚨 NEOC activated due to severe flooding in Grand Cayman

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) was partially activated on Monday to provide coordinated and tactical relief to people affected by severe flooding in Grand Cayman. Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) is leading a collaboration of offices, including the RCIPS, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard, the CI Fire Service, the Emergency Medical Services, the Cadet Corps and the Cayman Regiment to ensure safe evacuations of low-lying areas. The public was asked to stay off the roads due to heavy flooding, and several roads in and around George Town have been closed. The National Roads Authority (NRA) is working to manage and mitigate the flood impact. 🌊

The Department of Vehicle and Driver’s Licensing (DVDL) Crewe Road office was closed due to flooding, presenting significant safety risks. The Cayman Islands Red Cross on Huldah Avenue is currently open to anyone requiring emergency shelter, and a secondary shelter opened at the East End Civic Centre. All Health Services Authority (HSA) locations remained open, and public schools dismissed students at the regularly scheduled time. However, several areas are still experiencing or at risk of flooding, which may affect student drop-off. The Cayman Islands Regiment will be on hand to help those children arrive safely home in flood-prone areas. 🏫

Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly assured that the government was adequately prepared to offer support during the current flooding situation. Regiment officers are being deployed to the areas most affected to conduct assessments and advise on additional NEOC activities. The Cayman Islands Bankers’ Association announced that all local retail banks were closing early and encouraged people to use electronic banking services. The skies remained cloudy and overcast, with showers and thunder continuing, and one to 1.5 inches of rainfall is anticipated through this evening. A small craft warning is still in effect. 🚤