Hurricanes
There are two seasons in the tropics: wet and dry. The hurricane/wet season spans the summer and fall months, running from 1st June to 30th November.
The National Hurricane Preparedness Committee uses all media sources to disseminate information regarding tropical disturbances in the Caribbean. Current information is also available on the Internet from the US National Hurricane Center.
There are designated hurricane shelters e.g. district town halls, schools, and civic centres around the Island, which are open to residents in flooding areas or who may require alternate shelter arrangements.
Visitors are evacuated by some airlines, and some non-Caymanians take the opportunity to leave the Island as well.
2004 proved to be the worst Hurricane season ever experienced in the Cayman Islands. On September 11th, Hurricane Ivan devastated the island and left the majority of buildings and homes severely damaged. Clear up work and reconstruction was quickly underway. The banking business was up and running again within a few days and the cruise ships were back visiting the Island on 1st November.
A huge amount was learned from the national disaster, and the Island population is even better prepared to deal with the situation, should such an event threaten the Cayman Islands again.
For comprehensive information on Hurricane and other natural disaster preparation, visit Hazard Management Cayman Islands.