Thu 28 Aug 2008
Its not looking good. The latest Government forecasts say Gustav will be a Category 2 by the time it reaches Grand Cayman in the afternoon/evening Friday. Right now it is beating on Jamaica and then on to us. I will be going to my office tomorrow morning. I only have the satellite dish left to take down and that’s it. A friend will pick me up since I am leaving the car in the garage. Some of the forecasts have it going north after Jamaica … again, who knows but by now, no one is taking any chances.
Right now its sunny and a slight wind is blowing east to west … not very surprising! Beautiful day. Just like for dean last year, I find it very eerie to know that its so nice but that a huge storm is just a few hundred miles way. A very strange feeling.
Most homes now have their shutters up. Our house has the “traditional” plywood shutters. Does a great job, but not extremely good looking (although our are painted). I thought I would show some of the other types out there.
These are lexan (sort of plexiglas) which allows the people to see our during a storm but protect great against debris flying around.
This house has the premium “pull down” model. Probably takes 10 seconds per shutter to close. From what I am told, they cost a small fortune, but are IMO the best out there. Very slick looking for a shutter … if that’s possible.
Here our local grocery has the industrial type steel shutters. Nothing is getting through these baby’s!!!
Finally, here are the cars in the roundabout this morning. When I drove home in the afternoon there where already more cars and by tonight it will probably be completely full. Notice the slope ; at the center its probably 3-4ft above street level (although not that obvious in the picture)





do most of the locals stay during storms? they where talking about the cayman to miami flights on the news today.. i thought to myself, “i already knew that” lol…
so where do the animals go.. birds, lizards, ect..
i wish you luck and hope for the best.
i dont want this to sound like i dont fear for your safety, but having never been through a hurricane this really peaks my interest, during and after the storm do you have provisions to update the blog in the event of a total power outage? and is it possible to get some video?
Hi Michael,
Some answers.
Most locals stay home with their families. The evacuees are mostly tourists, businesses (and staff) that cant suffer any downtime and expats. Some of course due, especially with newborns children, etc.
The animals do what ever they can … That’s the best answer I have. I know during Ivan in 2004 many Cayman Parrots were killed 🙁
Ill be blogging as long as I have power! No power, no internet! The hurricane may also knock out communications if its violent enough. Anyway, if I can, ill be posting stuff. And yes, I plan to make some videos and put them on Youtube. 😉
Considering the amount of hits I am getting these days, you are not the only one that is curious.
Cheers and thanks for your comment
Micho