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- United States Department of State
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:23:02 -0400 (EDT)

Travel  Warning
United  States Department of State
Bureau of Consular  Affairs
Washington, DC  20520

____________________________________


This information is current  as of today, Wed Sep 15 14:58:06 2004. Wed Sep
15 14:20:16 2004.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
September 14,  2004
This Travel Warning is being  issued to urge U.S. citizens to avoid travel to
the Cayman  Islands at this  time due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
This supercedes the Public  Announcement dated September 9, 2004.
U.S. citizens in The Cayman Islands are urged  to depart as soon as safe
transportation is available. Hurricane Ivan caused  significant damage in the
Cayman Islands and flooding is widespread. Telephone  service is largely
unavailable. If unable to immediately depart, U.S. citizens are advised to 
locate
shelter,  monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. Visitors 
to
The  Cayman Islands should be familiar with their hotel evacuation plans,
policies,  or procedures.
The U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, which has consular jurisdiction over
the Cayman  Islands, has  closed for all but emergency American Citizens
Services. A small number of  consular officers will be available, but the 
ability
to provide assistance is  limited.
Americans living or  traveling in The Cayman Islands are encouraged to
register with the U.S. Embassy  in Kingston through the State Department's 
travel
registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Updated
information on travel in The Cayman Islands may be obtained from the Department 
 of
State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United  States,  or from overseas,
1-317-472-2328. For further information please consult the  Consular
Information Sheet for The Cayman Islands available via the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov or contact the U.S. Embassy in Kingston  at 
876-929-8780 or
876-929-5374. Please also see the current Worldwide Caution  Public 
Announcement.


- IMPORTANT INFO FOR CANADIANS IN GRAND CAYMAN OR FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVERELATIVES IN GRAND CAYMANS
  • From: Jude <jhodgson2 AT shaw.ca>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 15:07:45 -0700
We have been able to find out which Canadian Government office handles emergencies -  The office is called Dept. of Foreign Affairs, for people in Canada wanting assistance they can call toll free1 800 267 6788, and for Canadians who have already left Canada and are suffering or facing an emergency they can call COLLECT 613 966 8885.  My daughter Jenna and her boyfriend Cam both of BC Canada were living and working in the 7 Mile Beach area.  We were lucky enough to have contact with them several times during this crisis but havent been able to talk again since Monday.  We have an important message for them, WE HAVE A FLIGHT BOOKED AND SEATS RESERVED FOR THEM FOR  Sept 19th 11:45 AM ..if anyone knows them or can pass a message to them that would be terrific.  They worked for Brad & Jan /Eats and Legendz and Labodaga.  We are all worried about you folks down there, we are praying for everyones safety, hang in there guys, we are all doing all we can to get help to you -- thank you for this website -- it is so comforting to be able to read ANY info and hear from people who are right now in and amongst my daughter Jenna, Cam, and their freinds and thank you.  David Olson and friends - thank you so much for providing the photos.  News up here has been scarce and seeing/reading anything has been awesome!!  Thank you!!

- I have a site with photos.
  • From: "Marek Zyskowski" <marek_zyskowski AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 17:21:56 -0400
My sister lives in Cayman and all is well but there has been very few 
pictures on the web of the condition of the island. I am posting them on a 
site that I have at this URL.

http://www.marek.qc.ca/cayman_ivan/photos.asp

Every picture I find I'm gonna post.

Thanks and God help everyone there to be safe and well.

Marek Zyskowski
marek_zyskowski@hotmail.com
http://www.marek.qc.ca


- Open Letter CaymanNetNews.com
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:06:26 -0400 (EDT)

Urgent US military intervention needed in Grand Cayman

The following is the full text of an
open letter from Mr Timothy Adam
Chief Executive, Cable & Wireless
(Cayman Islands) Ltd

        Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Grand Cayman urgently needs military intervention to restore and to
preserve law and order. This needs to happen TODAY.

Read more: http://caymannetnews.com/2004/09/738/letter.shtml

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Canadians (Eric Cronier and family) getting flights off island
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 17:51:35 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 16:08:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: Cathy Spooner
Subject: Canadians (Eric Cronier and family) getting flights off island

Found Eric Cronier and Family

Eric talked to his mom (Oshawa Ontario Canada) briefly this morning and said he 
and family will fly out either today or tomorrow and will get to Windsor 
Ontario - I assume that is via connection from Miami as other posts indicate 
that Cayman Airlines is flying people out for free (first come first serve - 
long lines) but only to Miami. In other posts it indicates that they are trying 
to get all non- essential people off the island ASAP to lessen the strain on 
resources there.

Cathy Spooner
Ottawa Canada


- George town villas
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 17:50:32 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 16:05:34 -0400
From: Neal Sangal <sangaln_AT_gmail.com>

Confirmed report from manager of George town villas:

Mass destruction... Many units destroyed, though some spared, including
ocean front 2nd story unit. Karris and family safe, though confirmed no
power, no water, and have been told it will take 6 weeks for power to
reach seven mile beach. Confirmed looting and martial law, as well as
trying hard to stay in good spirits. The UN will visit the Caymans.

one last thing LAND LINES ARE NOW WORKING. I tried and they worked.


- Cayman Tourism Dept info
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 16:11:06 -0400 (EDT)

Author: Julia Plumley (---.sympatico.ca)
Date:   09-15-04 15:34

Last night i had a very long conversation with gareth jagger who
evacuated to nyc, he works for cayman tourism dept. he is in nyc office
with pilar bush and they are using the PR firm with whom the Tourism
Dept. has worked with for the last number of years to get things
rolling.

they want to dispell fears, criticism going around the internet that the
CI govt ins't doing anything, or enough., they say there is alot going
on behind the scenes and want me to post to make people aware.
here is a run-down:

-U.N. relief to go in to cayman today
-another high powered UK relief agency going in today
-strong links/workings with UK gov't and C,I gov't, C.I. govenor heavily
involved.
-developing outreach progs with : NYC fire dept who will go down,
HomeDepot in Northeast USA, wholesalers, airlines,
-FCCA (federated caribb cruise assoc) loaded up ships with relief and
heading down
-there are 12 round trip flights in/out of cayman today
-cayman airways big asset, this is when it pays to have a national
carrier
-want to calm the brewing hysteria over death count...from extremely
reliable sources they hear that there has NOT been any reports of death.
(i have asked peter oneill everytime we speak and he says no deaths
reported..as of mid morning today)
-as of yesterday afternoon there have been a great number of donations
to the Cayman Hurricane Fund.
-26 satellite phones when to cayman yesterday

that was the gist of it, i am in constant contact with them they like to
get first hand account info and know of any one who can make
donationsior provide contacts to those who may help i.e. wholesalers,
retailers, transporters i.e. for aircraft, delivery etc.,
furniture and appliance providers when it comes to rebuilding,
construction and repair materials, etc

Julia Plumley




- Situation Report on Tourism impact of Ivan in Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Grenada
  • From: CDERA Information Unit <pubinfo AT cdera.org>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:28:59 GMT
ISSUED BY: Caribbean Tourism Organisation
DATE: September 14, 2004

The following release is distributed as a courtesy by the Caribbean Disaster 
Emergency Response Agency.


STATEMENT BY THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION (CTO) ON THE IMPACT OF 
HURRICANE IVAN ON CTO MEMBER STATES

 

Sept. 14, 2004 12:00 p.m.- Here is the latest information on CTO member 
countries impacted by Hurricanes as of noon today.

 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
 
The Dept. of Tourism offices on Grand Cayman were severely damaged and remain 
closed. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are in good shape and have mobilized to 
help relief efforts for Grand Cayman. Road networks are intact, but some are 
still obstructed

Cayman Airways, the national airline, has been coordinating emergency flights 
into Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac from Houston, Tampa and Miami. Cayman Airways 
flights will take US citizens back to the United States on these emergency 
flights. 

Owen Roberts International Airport is open for restricted flights only and 
Cayman Airways has cancelled all of its commercial flights through the end of 
the day Wednesday due to the closure of the Owen Roberts International Airport. 
The airline says it is evaluating the situation and will resume operation as 
soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

Cayman Bracs Gerrard Smith International Airport is open for restricted flights 
only. 

Cell phones are working, although the volume of calls makes if difficult to 
make contact as circuits are almost permanently busy. Land phone lines remain 
down, but the telephone company, Cable and Wireless is reporting that its core 
network systems for fixed lines for local and international calling and its 
mobile service are up and running.

The Department of Tourism has set up Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Fund.  The 
account number is 621506296065 with Chase Manhattan Banks.  The wiring 
instructions follow:  JPMorgan Chase Bank, 60 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 
10165,. ABA # 021000021. Swift Code for international use only: CHASUS33

GRENADA

The airport is functional with air traffic control, Customs and Immigration in 
place. Air Jamaica, Air Caribes, LIAT and Caribbean Star have restarted limited 
service. LIAT CEO Gary Cullen has told CTO that the regional carrier is putting 
on four scheduled daily flights from Port of Spain, Barbados and St. Vincent 
into Grenada.  

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) has advised that until 
the runway lights can be restored, air transport is limited to daylight 
operation. Also, there is still no public ground transport, such as taxis or 
buses, at the airport.

 
JAMAICA

The Port Authority of Jamaica has advised CTO that the port sustained minimal 
damage and both the Montego Bay and Ocho Rios cruise ports will reopen today. 

The first cruise ship since the passage of Hurricane Ivan, a vessel from 
Princess Cruises, is expected to dock at Montego Bay tomorrow. The Port 
Authority is expecting word later today on whether or not Royal Caribbean will 
call in Ocho Rios tomorrow.   The cruise schedule will be back to normal next 
week.

Couples Resorts has informed CTO that its Resort in Negril will not be 
accepting any new arrivals until Sunday 19th September at the earliest.

Couples Resorts has indicated that its Hurricane Policy is as follows 

1. On property guests: If guests feel the need to leave, we will either refund 
them for their unused portion of their stay OR issue a credit for travel up to 
one year for the number of nights interrupted. 

2. Arriving Guests: In the event that guests are unable to arrive as scheduled, 
we will offer them the following options: 

A. They can arrive after the storm passes. Either for the same number of 
nights, in which case, we will make every effort to confirm the dates and 
categories, but guarantee no (hotel) rate increase - OR - stay for fewer 
nights, in which case they will be refunded for the interrupted nights. 

B. We will issue a full credit for travel up to one year. We will guarantee the 
rate paid, regardless of the season they travel except for the following 
blackouts dates: 

All Resorts: December 25, 2004 - January 2, 2005, February 10 - 22, 2005, June 
30 - July 11, 2005 
Plus: Couples Ocho Rios January 15 - 23, 2005 
Couples Negril/ Couples Swept Away (Negril) Oct 7-10, 2004 and Oct 6 - 9, 2005 

C. Full refunds will be allowed if, at resort discretion, a decision is made to 
close the resorts to any new arrivals. The refund will apply during the closed 
period.



- Morritt's News (East End)
  • From: "Ron Anderson" <randers1 AT comcast.net>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 13:15:22 -0500

Latest Update: September 15, 2004, Noon.

NEWS FROM MORRITT’S !

I just talked to David Morritt (9:45 EST), who left on a Cayman Air flight
from Tampa yesterday and is now at the resort. The resort has held up very
well considering the extent of the winds and the storm surge that Grand
Cayman got! Cayman Air flew all around the island so the passengers could
see the hurricane effects of the whole island. There is much damage
throughout the island (especially the Georgetown, 7 mile beach, South Sound
and Bodden Town areas) but we are sure the Government will organize
rebuilding as soon as possible.

A summary from David relating to Morritt’s…

- Travel is mainly on bikes and foot as gas is at a minimum. Roads are being
cleared
- Frank Sound road and Northside highway are fine and appears the damage
along that
route was minimal
- There are many of our maintenance men already at the resort starting on
the cleaning
- Roofs of Tortuga units, ocean side, and the main building roof will need
to be replaced.
There is some damage to the Grand roofs
- All buildings standing and appear to be okay. Top floor units in pretty
good shape.
- Ocean units, first floor will need to be completely redone
- Dock is gone
- Tortuga Divers building will need to be replaced
- Main building restaurant and lobby will need to be completely redone
- We have security on the property
- We have a lot of beach!
- We are starting the clean-up right now. Many staff starting to come and
assist with the
process

Cameron (head of our maintenance) indicated that we have been sending food
and supplies to the 2 East End shelters for a few days. The shelters were
housing about 500 people. All people are okay.

Steve Cummins is making sure our guests who were in the shelters have
transportation arranged to fly out as soon as possible. Steve and Keysha are
accounting for all staff and all are okay that have been contacted. We will
have more on this later.

Steve and Cameron are putting together lists for needed materials, food and
supplies for our people and for East End people. We are in process of
forming a not for profit entity to address relief efforts for Grand Cayman,
especially the East End people. We will have more on that very soon.

David is excited for the future and ready to get going. We have been working
for some time on various redesigns for parts of Morritt’s, so what we are
facing is not very much out of line with changes we were moving towards.


We are contacting our builder, architects, structural engineer and quanity
surveyor to organize them for review of the property as soon as possible.
Certainly this process will be slow.

We appreciate your concern and patience and we will keep you updated. Thank
you.

- Robert White, Chairman


- Cayman Devastation
  • From: HappyNCayman AT cs.com
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 14:05:01 EDT
Hello.  While I am not now an islander living in Cayman, I did live there and still have lots of friends there.  After 3 days of persistent phone calls, I finally reach one of my friends on her cell phone at 1:00 a.m. this morning.

The devastation is much worse than being reported.  There is no power, water or land line phone service and the cell phone service is sporadic.  The sewage lines from Georgetown to Northside have come up out of the ground and the smell is horrific.  There is marshal law in effect with curfew from dusk to dawn.  Cayman Airways got one flight in yesterday with supplies from Miami and are offering to get people off the island as they come in for free.

There is no longer a West Bay Road.  There isn't a tree, plant or shrub left standing.  Our friends description is that it looks like a bomb went off without any fire.  According to our reports, Lone Star Restaurant on Seven Mile Beach is gone as is the Retreat on Northside.  Several hotels on 7-mile beach lost their second floor completely.  The Mariner's Cove Apartments washed completely out into the road.  The wave surges (which were as high as 25 feet) completely divided the island into two from Northsound to Southside.  There are dead animals everywhere.  People are literally walking the streets, homeless, with nothing left but the clothes on their backs.

The government is trying to make it sound like it's no big deal and they are recovering quickly, but that's not the case at all.  They have been told that it could be December before all power is restored.  They feel that the government is not putting the information out there for fear of panic within the banking industry.  They are afraid to let people know how bad it really is for fear that people will start pulling their money out of the 500 banks there.  There is about 99% damage to every structure on the island.

The airport does have the runway somewhat cleared, but only for restricted flights bringing supplies.  The control tower has extensive damage as does the airport and airport restaurant.

Both Foster's Food Fair supermarkets are gone.  The new Hurley's supermarket is still there and offering food and supplies.  They are allowing 5 people into the store at once with endless waiting lines.

They have not report any casualties, but my friend says that based on the destruction, they wouldn't be surprised if there were as many as 200 casualties.

These people definitely need some help and the word needs to get out there that it wasn't a "minor" brush with Ivan.  It was major and the damage is MAJOR.  

Hope this helps in some way and the word can get out there that it was bad and they do need help.  I will update you again if I hear more.  I am supposed to try and contact my friends again late, late tomorrow night.


- Grand Cayman Pictures
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 15:09:33 -0400 (EDT)

From: Arthur McTaggart on Grand Cayman

I have a gallery up with pictures from Ivan... Not sure how many hit's
it'll be able to take but here goes anyway..

http://www-shd-1.candw.ky/gallery2/main.php


- LOTS OF PHOTOS - TO SEE AND TO UPLOAD YOURS
  • From: "David Olson \(candw.ky\)" <davido AT candw.ky>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 15:02:56 -0500
to see photos of Cayman:
 
 

- More news...
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 14:00:39 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 13:59:38 EDT
From: Gnforpeace
Subject: (no subject)


Just was able to speak to my son for the first time since the storm hit. We
had received word he was OK, but this was my first connection!

Here is  what he had to report:

He heard that there may be as many as 12 flights  off the island but on a
first come first serve basis, so lines are long.

Hurley's in Grand Harbour is opened with long, long lines outside. Cash
only, rationing be done. I believe he said it opened at 11 a.m. and I'm sure it
must close before the curfew.

Do not come to the island unless you are  bringing help...he said the already
overloaded infractructure cannot support any  additional people and suggested
that all non-essential people leave until power  and water can be restored
and repairs can be made to vital places that need  it...police stations,
hospital, etc.

He said the dogs were all hungry and  thirsty and he was concerned about what
would happen after a few weeks. I  received an email from a friend last night
- her friend was walking in George  Town yesterday and was bitten by a pack
of dogs. I guess they are as traumatized  as the people.

My son told me that he is aware that someone has sent 2  CD's of pictures off
the island to news media in the states so hopefully soon  they will get the
real picture of what has happened on the island.

He is  very concerned about raw sewage in the streets, especially he said
since he's  seen pregnant women and other women and children walking through it.

Clean drinking water is at a premium and he is rationing his own supply  to
conserve. Hopefully with flights coming in now that will be replenished and
available.

He is concerned about the dead animals he has seen and the  disease factor.
He has seen dead cows, etc on the island.

As already  reported Mariners Cove is "just a parcel of land".

Roads in places of  South Sound are not merely washed out, but missing as big
chunks of the pavement  are gone. He tried to get through yesterday but got
stuck and was pulled out by  a bulldozer. He will not attempt that again!

He said beetles, roaches,  frogs, etc are everywhere. He has seen a few
iguanas, but no birds and no  chickens.

He picked up one woman yesterday who needed a ride back to the  shelter. She
told him she was carrying ALL her belongings - a purse, a book, a  ball and a
can of curry powder.

Rumors abound on the island of shooting  of looters by police. He could not
confirm, but said rumors of this are  widespread.

He's gotten lost several times because he doesn't recognize  streets and
major landmarks are missing or moved. (Big lions from Chinese  Restaurant along 
7
Mile Beach were about a mile away from where they used to  be)

Ritz untouched - amazing!

Concrete power poles reinforced with  rebar have been snapped in two like
matchsticks.

Australian pines along 7  Mile all uprooted and knocked over - skyline along
7 Mile is completely  different.

Actual ordeal of storm is "scariest thing of my life". Whole  thing lasted
from about 2 am to 8 pm with the worst coming between 9:30-11:30.  He
understands highest clocked winds were 212 - he believes they lasted for a  few 
hours.
Whole concrete house he was in shook for several hours like a never  ending
earthquake. They ended up pulling the chandelier down because the sound  it was
making was only adding to the fright. During moments when the storm would  ease
up a bit they would look outside and check out the homes, the next time the
winds eased up they looked out again and roofs were gone. The sound was
deafening. He said there is nothing to compare it to...only that he thought it
looked like a scene from a Hollywood movie.

_gnforpeace@aol.com_ (mailto:gnforpeace@aol.com)


- FOOD AND SUPPLIES NEEDED - Please help!!
  • From: Jennzah76 AT aol.com
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 13:55:55 EDT
Food and other supplies are desperately needed.  These include water, toilet paper, gas, propane and propane grills, dog/cat food, baby formula, diapers, etc.
 
If you have evacuated your home for the US, Canada, etc. and don't plan on returning soon (I wouldn't - my husband is there and says it is just TERRIBLE), please consider donating these items and any others you can think of that might be of some help.  We have someone who can pick the items up and distribute them to those in need. 
 
Last I heard from my husband he had ten people at our house that either didn't have shelter or food/water or both.  There are many others out there in the same situation and he is lucky enough to be in a position to help them (thanks in large part to a lot of the offers of help we have gotten through this web page).
 
Because fuel needs to be conserved at this point, please only respond to this message if you live north of Georgetown.  He is in a position to best help people in that area, especially near the Yacht Club and that end of SMB.
 
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and also for the awesome sense of community that we are seeing on this webpage, on Grand Cayman, and the Sister Islands.
 
Jennifer Looney
404 Orchid Dr.
CI Yacht Club
Grand Cayman
 
704-756-9111 (Cell phone # in NC, USA where I am staying with our 2 week old.)

- FROM CAYMAN BRAC
  • From: "Carol Busby" <cbusby AT hauntruck.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 12:37:45 -0400
HELLO ALL
WE SURVIVED, LITTLE TO NO DAMAGE ON THE NORTH SHORE, SOUTH SHORE NOT SO
LUCKY. BUT NO LIVES LOST.
GRAND CAYMAN IS A DISASTER.
THEY HAVE BEEN FLYING PEOPLE HERE ON SMALL PLANES ALL DAY YESTERDAY. THEY
COME OFF THE PLANE WITH NO SHOES, JUST THE WET CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS.
CARRYING THEIR CHILDREN AND CRYING. ITS THE WORST THING I HAVE EVERY SEEN.
THERE ARE SOME CELL PHONES WORKING BUT NO POWER TO CHARGE THE BATTERIES.
SOME CHILDREN ARE HERE FROM G CAYMAN AND ARE IN SCHOOL TODAY. TRYING TO GIVE
THEM SOME NORMALCY. PEOPLE ON THE BRAC ARE OPENING THEIR HOMES TO FAMILY,
FRIENDS AND STRANGERS ALIKE WHO LOST EVERYTHING BUT THEIR LIVES TO IVAN.
REPAIR CREWS HAVE BEEN LEAVING THE BRAC SINCE YESTERDAY TO GO AND REPAIR AND
REBUILD

NAMES OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE I HAVE HEARD FROM OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS.

LAVINAI MCLAUGHLIN
JEAN MCLAUGHLIN
MICHELE READY
ALL OF THE STAFF OF ISLAND VETERINARY SERVICES.

WE NOW HAVE A LAND LINE SO I WILL KEEP IN TOUCH

WE WERE TRULY BLESSED.
CAROL






- Info from Donna
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 12:29:42 -0400 (EDT)


Report from Donna Sjostrom at Omega Bay, Wed morning:
Please remember this is not an official report.

Planes are arriving with needed goods and leaving with non-nationals
who choose to go. About 4 flights a day, in daylight hours. Roads are
being cleared. Shelters are being repaired; food and water distributed.
Seems all are being found and helped. Communications are better, as
AT&T and cell companies are moving quickly. England has 2 or 3 ships
there with aide. Radio is working, so news is available for all. Most
cars are gone and most buildings (big ones) are standing, albeit
without roofs. Tourists are being taken care of and are being evacuated
asap.

That's it for now. If I hear anything else, I will report.

Received via Nancy Cardinali


- HELLO FROM CAYMAN BRAC
  • From: "Carol Busby" <cbusby AT hauntruck.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 11:49:55 -0400
WE HAVE JUST BEEN RESTORED WITH POWER, OUT SINCE LAST NIGHT
OVER 5 INCHES OF RAIN IN MY RAIN GAGE.
DROVE OVER TO THE SOUTH SIDE, WENT EAST AN WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE END OF THE
ROAD, MINIMAL DAMAGE. DOWN TREES ROCKS ON THE ROAD. BUT PASSABLE. NOT SO
LUCKY GOING SOUTH SIDE WEST.
COULD NOT PASS LOTS OF LARGE ROCKS ON ROAD.
IMPASSABLE FROM BLUFF ROAD WEST, TO WEST END.
FLOODED OUT FROM WEST END CROSS ROAD WEST TO BRAC REEF.
NORTH SHORE LOOKS BETTER BUT DOWN POWER LINES.
EVERYONE OK.
WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM GRAND CAYMAN AS ALL COMMUNICATIONS IS CUT OFF.

MORE LATER
CAROL BUSBY



- Brac News
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 11:21:56 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 09:40:55 -0500
From: PMS266
Subject: Brac News

 Carol Busby reports from the Brac. Most services except land line phones are 
restored. Another exception is that C&W  cell phones do work but other cell 
systems are not restored. There is a shortage of phone cards from C&W so they 
are judicious in their minutes/talking.
The Banks in the Brac are not open as they are all branches of GCM banks.

She reports that planes have landed in the Brac with GCM refugees. They are 
primarily women and children. They will be housed in the hotels and Condos at 
the present, and as of now the children will go to school on the Brac.

The airport in GCM is full of frustration and tempers are flaring. A few 
arrests have been made for unruly behavior. Canadian air transports have been 
landing with relief supplies, etc.

Radio station Heaven 97 is up and running in the Brac now.

Island Vet Services in Grand Cayman has set up a triage at their clinic for 
pets that are injured. They are also huge supporters of the Humane Society.

Many Brac men are already in GCM to assist in the rescue effort and other men 
and women are getting ready to go.

Lastly----- the women and children that got off the plane in the Brac were a 
sad sight. They were wet, hungry, carrying only their children in their arms 
with nothing else. Most were in an obvious state of shock and began crying at 
the relief they had finally seen.

I am not a Caymanian, but I can assure everyone that the resolve and 
perseverance of Caymanian people will come through. They will survive and 
rebuild. All they need is some immediate help and relief from Ivan's 
destruction.

Dennis Busby


- Good Morning (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 10:56:44 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 07:49:59 EDT
From: VIVA9LIVES_AT_aol.com
Subject: Good Morning

I am the sister of a Resident in Cayman. My brother is one of  the
Supervisors at C&W , I just got off the phone with  in about
&7:30 am this morning. He has stated clearly that Cayman has no  fatalities.
Homes are severely damage on the roofs, some homes have more damage  than
most, basically those on the coastline of the island. The reports on CNN  are 
not
accurate, they have not been to the island so no one knows the severity  of
the damage. Though aid is necessary, the supermarket is open. If you have
family and friends heir, they could sure use some money to help them rebuild,  
and
whatever you are able to contribute. Their working on their land lines as we
speak. People need Generators for power if each and ever family can send one
of  those to their family members or people they know they would greatly
appreciate  that.
    My family is fine.  All are safe  but very tired. My prayers will still
be going out for those of you still  waiting to hear from your loved ones.

Thank you so much for all of the information you provided us  during this
stressing times as we waited to hear from our loved ones. May God  Bless and
continue to keep you and yours.


- Return to Cayman ?
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 10:33:24 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 11:47:08 +0100
From: Sarah Davies <sarahjdavies100_AT_hotmail.com>
Subject: Return to Cayman ?

I must stress that people should think very carefully before returning
immediately to Grand Cayman.



As much as you might like to see your family or visit that condo..You
are adding to the overstressed infrastructure .. It's like "mad max"
there at the moment - total catastrophe.



*       Risk of disease, There is raw sewage everywhere - washed around
by the floods
*       Supermarkets may have opened for a while - but with a queue (
line for you Americans ) of a thousand people and armed guards ensure
only a few enter at a time.
*       There are food and water shortages
*       Thousands are homeless
*       You risk being shot if found out after dark
*       Transport is difficult
*       Few buildings are safe, many of those standing will have to be
demolished



The priority at this point is

(1)     For people to accept what a total disaster this is. From reading
some of the posts on this board you wopuld think there had just been a
summer thunderstorm and everything will return to normal within 7 days.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE!

(2)     To get aid and fresh water in

(3)     To get families and homeless people off the island.




- WEST BAY: Get together in Live Chat Wed Sept 15th AT 5pm EST
  • From: Joanna Lane <jolane1 AT optonline.net>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 03:38:44 -0400
ANNOUNCEMENT

CAYMAN FAMILIES WEBSITE is hosting a get together in Live Chat on
Wednesday Sept 15th at 5pm EST/ 10pm GMT.

TOPIC: The West Bay Area
MODERATOR: Curtis
LOCATION: Click CHAT at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/caymanfamilies

The district of West Bay sustained heavy damage and there are a
significant number of folks missing from that district, but very
little information about its status. Join us to network with other
families, share information and explore ways in which we can find out
more.

*****We host a general meeting every day at 3pm, but the intention
is to focus on the West Bay area from 5pm onwards on Wednesday Sept
15th. Meetings are being scheduled for other areas. Check our
Calendar regularly for details and updates.

PLEASE PASS THE WORD TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

See you there!

Joanna Lane
email: joanna@caymanfamilies.com


- CAYMAN BRAC POSTING
  • From: "MB" <mbar-cyb AT candw.ky>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:52:00 -0500
I am desperately sorry that my postings and my responses to people asking for information and help stopped all of a sudden - it WAS NOT me ignoring you - there was a "plug pulled on us" on another Island. 
 
Hopefully, I will be fully back on line very shortly and I will do my level best, whatever it takes, to help each and every request - it may take some time in between other functions that I have to perform.My phone contacts in Grand Cayman grow by the hour and between all of us, a pretty effective "Call Tree" has been established   
 
Firstly - Cayman Brac and Little Cayman got away with things relatively lightly - South Side took a bit of a hammering but most properties still pretty much OK - North Side was relatively benign throughout; power has been up and running for a while now and today the Hotel and Dive Staff and Families, who went to Grand Cayman, all arrived back on the Sister Islands in good spirits and happy to be home - A HUGE VOTE OF THANKS TO CAL EXPRESS AND ESPECIALLY TO THOM GUYTON AND LUCY SCOTT FOR THEIR PRAGMATIC AND TIRELESS EFFORTS TO HELP - THOM A BIG HAND SHAKE - LUCY A HUGE HUG.
 
As soon as I can, I will be getting to you requests - meanwhile back to other work.
 
 "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back."
                           Chinese proverb.
Regards
 
Mike B
        
THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN SUBJECT OF NORTON ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION PROTOCOLS

- Fotos
  • From: "David Olson \(candw.ky\)" <davido AT candw.ky>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 02:02:05 -0500
 

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 290.JPG

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 291.JPG

- Fotos VIII
  • From: "David Olson" <david AT davidolson.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:47:47 -0500
\

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 339.JPG

- Fotos VI
  • From: "David Olson" <david AT davidolson.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:46:39 -0500
\

- fotos V
  • From: "David Olson" <david AT davidolson.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:45:58 -0500
 

- Fotos VII
  • From: "David Olson" <david AT davidolson.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:47:22 -0500
 

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 316.JPG

- Fotos IV
  • From: "David Olson" <david AT davidolson.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:45:28 -0500
 

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 285.JPG

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 182.JPG

- fotos III
  • From: "David Olson" <david AT davidolson.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:44:54 -0500
 

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 132.JPG

- Cayman Islands -- Please post information, if you feel it is helpfuladvice (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:41:36 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 18:15:37 -0400
From: Dimitri Pappas
Subject: Cayman Islands -- Please post information,
     if you feel it is helpful advice

Dear Gert, could you please post this suggestion in the main Cayman Islands
forum, if you see fit.  The reason for this is that earlier today the voice
mail storage capacity for the main telecommunication company, Cable and
Wireless, has filled up so that no new voice mails -- for anybody -- can be
left.  Those that can can only be two or three seconds in duration!  People
need to clean some messages off the server so that new messages can be
received for themselves or for others.  This is just a small manner in which
those of us stranded abroad can help.

Thank you for the excellent service you are providing to the people from and
friends of the Cayman Islands.

Kind regards,

Dimitri Pappas


Those individuals living abroad and utilising Cable and Wireless for either
cell or home voice messaging are urged to please check their Cayman messages
and DELETE -- NOT SAVE - them.

Cable and Wireless' voice messaging server is reaching its breaking point
and, in some cases, is not accepting any new messages even when your mailbox
is empty. Presumably, this is because other mailboxes are full and memory
storage is scarce.

To check (and DELETE!) your messages from abroad or from another phone in
Cayman do as follows:

1. Dial (345) 949-8279

2. If you are calling from your Cable and Wireless cell phone, skip to step
5

3. Enter your 7-digit telephone number ('916xxxx')

4. When you hear the tone, press '*'

5. Enter your password at the prompt

6. Your messages will play, one at a time (as usual!)

7. Copy any important information down on paper! (You may not get a chance
to check saved messages again before C&W purges them)

***8. **VERY IMPORTANT** Press '3' to delete each message.

9. Press '9' to disconnect from voice mail when you are through.

Please help everyone receive their messages by cleaning out your mailbox.
Maybe you will find messages from loved ones you have been worried about?!?

Thank you!


- Hurricane Ivan - Cayman fotos I - Internet is Up
  • From: "David Olson \(candw.ky\)" <davido AT candw.ky>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:22:56 -0500
Cayman has been really crippled by Ivan.  All reports indicate that no life has been lost.... but many people have lost thier homes or the homes have been damaged so much that they are uninhabitable.
 
The resoration of basic utilities is priority....  but when power and water is restored is not known at this time.
 
Attached are some photos of the damage.  Photos were taken by David, Astor and James.

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 258.JPG

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 265.JPG

- Fw: Hurricane Ivan - Cayman fotos II
  • From: "David Olson \(candw.ky\)" <davido AT candw.ky>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:24:18 -0500
Fotos show some of the damage we have gotten from Ivan the Terrible.

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 339.JPG

Cayman - Hurricane Ivan 2004 1 336.JPG

- Cayman Brac
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:33:18 -0400 (EDT)

Report and pictures from the Brac: Ivan was terrible

http://caymannetnews.com/2004/09/738/bracreport.shtml

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Cayman Airways Houston Flight did not make it
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 00:32:41 -0400 (EDT)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 00:21:26 -0400
From: Marcus Simmonds <marc1177_AT_bellsouth.net>
Subject: Cayman Airways Houston Flight did not make it


I saw your posting.  I have tried to give you the most accurate information 
available.  At about 7:PM tonight I received a call from my brother, he advised 
that they were unable to return to Cayman. The flight had to return after a 
mechanical difficulty. He is still in Houston, but expecting to depart early AM 
Sept. 15th.
Readers...so sorry to disappoint you.

I have not been able to read too many postings because my husband, our Tortuga 
Imports staff & I are working very hard at getting the message out regarding 
our relief collection as well as handling the many phone calls coming in with 
questions, comments, & queries on Cayman.  I received a call from Cayman 
Airways Cargo today. Tomorrow at about 2:PM they will pick up the relief aide 
that we have at our warehouse now.  There will be more Cayman Airways pick-up 
throughout the week, so keep your donations coming & spread the word. We have 
many people coming with donations.  Please Please Please continue!  For more 
information on drop off location & monetary donation information, please visit 
our website at:  www.tortugarums.com
Those of you who are unable to make it to our south Miami warehouse, Mr. Norman 
Brown has offered free pick-up & delivery.  Call Victoria Joseph at my office 
for details on this.  Please note that the pick-up of merchandise must be a 
sizable one.  Of course everything is appreciated, but we must know exactly 
what we are picking up prior to doing the pick-up.
I would like to announce that Cheney Brothers delivered one 40 foot container 
of canned food to SEABOARD MARINE today.  We are unsure when this will arrive, 
but the people need it & when it gets there they will be happy!

Many folks have called to inquire if we can guarantee that specific goods get 
to their family in Cayman.  Tortuga Imports Inc. can not do this, we can only 
send general relief for everyone.  Cayman Airways Cargo in Miami is accepting 
air cargo pre-paid freight & consigned to a specific name.  The goods will go 
to the consignee.  Please note that must be delivered directly to Cayman 
Airways.  Tortuga Imports Inc. can not facilitate those specific shipments.

God Bless you all!
Regards,
Monique Hamaty-Simmonds & the rest of the Tortuga Imports team

Deliver donations to:
Tortuga Rum Cake Co.
14202 SW 142 Ave.
Miami, FL 33186
Phone 305-378-6668


- Damage Information Contact Numbers
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 23:55:53 -0400 (EDT)

Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 20:36:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ciara Rowlands


Hi all,

I am leaving for Cayman tomorrow and have been given the correct numbers
to phone regarding any and all information about the damage to Cayman.

There are two offices set up by the Cayman Islands Goverment in London
and New York.
If you are in the London area call: 0207 491 7772
If you are in the USA call: 212 889 9009

These numbers have information about the ongoing situation in Grand
Cayman. The two offices are hoping to prevent any hear say or any
incorrect accounts of the events that have happened. Please forward them
on to any one you know, as they are trying to keep panic down and support
up...

Apparently there are no fatalities as such, but every house and building
has somewhat been affected by Ivan...as we all know by now.
I shall e-mail as soon as I can.
But these numbers are the official ones to use if you have ANY questions,
given to me by Harris McCoy.

Take care,
Ciara.


*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- actual info re Casa Caribe (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:50:47 -0400 (EDT)

To quell some of the rumours...


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:59:35 -0400
From: Jes Lawson
To: andy@andy.net
Subject: actual info re Casa Caribe

This is being sent to andy for the cayman damage reports web site and
also to gert for the stormcarib site.

Thank you both for taking the time and effort to create your web sites.
In the absence of definitive information, this kind of help is much
appreciated.

I spoke early this morning for about 15 - 20 minutes to the manager at
Casa Caribe (I am on the Executive Committee), and want to correct the
information you have about this property.

Our damage appears to be less than might have been expected.  The
reported "blown out" second floor is simply several units on the road
side (not the beach side) with broken windows.  We have lost many roof
tiles, but overall the roof is still solid.  There is damage to the
carports, the garden area, and some windows in the office.  Generally,
however, the structure seems to be in fairly good shape.  The wind
clearly came from the east side and the damage is worse on the road side
than the beach side.  We have apparently lost one of our big casuarina
pines, which is a sad loss we cannot repair.  Otherwise, we expect to
get started on repairs promptly.

The exaggerated nature of many of the reports on your sites is a cause
for undue stress, so I hope you will update them as better info becomes
available.  I realize you are providing a wonderful service, so I am
certainly not complaining about that - I just hope people won't try to
make their reports more dramatic than is appropriate to "feel
important".

Thanks again for your efforts.

Jes Lawson
(Casa Caribe)

now in Villanova, PA, USA


- Hurricane relief
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:26:15 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:18:27 -0400
From: BRYON <BHALSEY_AT_BELLSOUTH.NET>

Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 9:15 PM
Subject: hurricane relief


I believe I've passed along most information as I recieve it, so I will keep 
this brief.

At the time of this email, Rickey and I have been in contact with the Red 
Cross, British Government and numerous locals here in South Florida.  
Unfortunately, the story is about the same from all.  No concerted efforts at 
this time to provide immediate relief to the Island.  The Red Cross is 
accepting donations.  The British Government is awaiting damage assesment 
before moving forward.  Apparently, the weather has been too rough for a safe 
beach landing and they are using helicopters to survey damage.  I had 
previously reported that Marshall Law had been effected on the island as of 
yesterday evening, but after speaking with Manny Gonzalez of the CI Department 
of Tourism, the weather had prevented that as of 2pm this afternoon.  The 
Brithish Consulate in Miami reported that there was an emergency flight onto 
the island from Miami sometime this afternoon but would not release any further 
info.  Their was also a Cayman Airways flight from Houston down to Cayman today.

I should make note that Monique Hamaty-Simmonds and her husband Marcus 
Simmonds, owners of Tortuga Rum Company, have been working tirelessly to effect 
some kind of movement with regards to relief efforts.  Monique's brother Basil 
flies for Cayman Airways and was the pilot on today's flight from Houston... 
therefore I feel real sure that that flight took place!  That's two flights 
that I'm aware of for sure and it's possible that another light aircraft was 
granted authority to land today as well.  Monique and Marcus' contact info 
appears below if you would like to offer your help.

Monique also gave me the email from Pilar Bush, Dep. Director of Tourism for 
the Caymans based in NY, where contact info below is from.  Efforts are under 
way in New York to aid in the relief as well.

Which brings us to the grass roots efforts initiated by Ladies Chris and Diana 
to charter a cargo plane to usher in relief to our loved ones and others on the 
island.  At this point, Chris' son Pete has been the designated plane gofor... 
more power to you Pete.  We are trying to get authorization from CI Civil 
Aviation authority for the trip and will keep you all informed.

In the mean time, here are some contacts, donation staging locations and the CI 
Relief fund info.  Please pass it along to any interested parties.

SUPPLIES DONATIONS

Cayman Airways Cargo Ltd., Miami, FL
6025 NW 18th Street
Bldg 716 East, Suite 2E
Miami International Airport, FL 33152
(305)526-3190

Tortuga Rum Company Ltd., Miami, FL
14202 SW 142nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33186
(305)378-6668

Cox Lumber Company, Tampa, FL
5135 Madison Ave
Tampa, FL 33619
(813)248-6731

CASH DONATIONS

Make checks payable to:    Cayman Islands Hurrican Relief Fund
Mail to:                           JP Morgan Chase Bank
                                     60 East 42nd Street
                                     New York, NY 10165


Wire funds to:                  Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Fund
                                     JP Morgan Chase Bank
                                     60 East 42nd Street
                                     New York, NY 10165
Account #:                      621506296065
ABA/Routing #:                 021000021


Here is a growing list of supplies needed... will make additions as I get them.

Generators
Chain saws
Garbage bags
Shovels
Heavy Duty rakes
Water pumps
Cots
Bedding/Linens
Pillows
Food
Water
Medical Supplies - over the counter stuff
Cleaning Supplies
Heavy Duty extension cords
Sattelite phones
All brands of cellular phone batteries
Gas cans
Baby food
Diapers

More as it comes...

Regards,

Bryon & Rickey


- Video Clip
  • From: "Nita Law" <nitalaw AT sympatico.ca>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:05:32 -0400
There is a short home video clip on the BBC website taken during the storm.
 
 
 

- More pictures...
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 20:05:34 -0400 (EDT)
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news/?EI=iso-8859-1&c=news_photos&p=Grand+Cayman


*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Cayman News - Airlines
  • From: Skyhiprice AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 19:51:56 EDT
Our granddaughter is a Flight Attendant with Cayman Airways and has been 
flying today (Tues) on one of two of their planes taking sick and injured to 
Miami 
and bringing back cargo. The water must have receded enough on the runways to 
make this possible. Only daylight flights will be taken because of the 
electricity blackouts.

Our daughter, also a survivor of the hurricane says the Island today (Tues) 
looks like a 'third world country' - so many people without homes, food and 
water. She and her husband are still holed up in a downtown law office.

We are so very thankful to God that our loved ones are safe - thanks you all 
of you who are praying.  The days and weeks ahead are going to be very 
difficult for all of the survivors.

Pat


- Three new pics on yahoo (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 19:28:32 -0400 (EDT)

Three new pics came out

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=grand+cayman+&ei=UTF-8&cop=mss&tab=5&c=news_photos

Hyatt Hotel
Airport
Seven Miles Ave.


- East End update.
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 18:48:38 -0400 (EDT)
From the Pleas for Help-News board:

    !!! 1st HAND NEWS-EAST END!!!!
   Author: Jennifer (---.proxy.aol.com)
   Date:   09-14-04 17:32
   I've got good news for all of you out there who know East Enders. Joey
   Welcome was able to contact our family this afternoon at around 2:30
   our time (1:30 p.m.) Cayman time. He and his brother-in-law went to
   the rock quarry and Joey climbed the high rock and got reception on
   his cell phone. Joey was hunkered down during the storm at his parents
   in East End along with Sharon, Cruz, Lil Joe, and brothers and
   sisters. Here is what he said:
   Their house - flat roof - only lost a couple of tin sheets but was in
   good condition and was liveable. Most houses had damage and those
   people who were in houses that are really bad are staying with others
   in East End. Joey's exact words were "EVERYONE IN EAST END IS FINE".
   He specifically mentioned Matthew McGlaughlin and good ole' Billy
   McGlaughlin and he said that their moms were O.K.
   Portofino's is gone and Lil' Hurleys wall on the ocean side is gone.
   There is trees and debris everywhere and the trees that are left have
   no leaves on them.
   Morritt's and Royal Reef are still standing but the lower levels were
   damaged by water and sand. Structurally they should be O.K. Clive
   (Reef security guard) rode the storm out at the Reef and he is fine
   too!
   Joey said it could be 2 weeks to a month before they get full power
   because it will take at least 2 weeks to clear the debris from the
   roads so the crews can get to East End. He said they had plenty of
   food and water and that many of the fellas would be out fishing and
   catching stuff from the sea. They have plenty of fire power to cook
   with open flame.
   He was in great spirits and spoke of everyone pitching in to start the
   rebuilding process. He was thankful that everyone survived and he said
   "this was the worst thing I've ever been through in my life!!"
   We are supposed to be contacting Joey tonight at 6:00 (5:00 his time).
   Hopefully all circuits will not be busy and I can give you all some
   more info. As of now, many of our prayers have been answered. JENN


*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Cobalt Coast and Dive Tech staff OK!!!!!
  • From: "Scott Santino" <ttop AT ez2.net>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 15:11:08 -0700
I just spoke with Nat Robb's mom. She spoke with Nat on a Sat phone this morning. Everyone from Cobalt and Divetech are OK and rode out the storm at the Cobalt Resort. They have 3 generators comming in tomorrow. They have bottled water and are in good spirits. The good lord must have been watching over them as she says the Resort and the Divetech shop made it through the storm. She didn't have much details on damage, but says the buildings "Made it through."

- News . Found the Vere Family
  • From: "Catherine Boardman" <catherine.boardman AT easynet.co.uk>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:31:07 +0100
I am in the UK and have just reached our very dear friends Bob & Betty Vere
in South Sound. Betty told me that they stayed on the upper floor of their
home with their son Peter and daughter Tiffany and her husband Paulo and
their 3 young sons.Their son Neil who was not with them is also safe. They
are all fine but have lost all their furniture fronm the groung floor and
all the family cars. The roof is damaged and the distruction around them is
dreadful.The septic tank has gone and ground water is contaminated. they
have no power and the major concern is drinking water. Betty also said that
looting had occured in the George Town area.


- Hurricane Ivan Recovery Steering Committee
  • From: Caymancanuck AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 17:14:41 EDT
Just received a call from Stacey Nichols of Applebys who just attended the above committee meeting held at the Walkers offices and attended by leaders of business and government.
 
She asked me to post the following:
 
-curfew of 6am to 6pm is in effect, there is looting and the UK military has been asked to assist with security
- CUC expects power back to central GT after other essentail services within 3 days, residential areas are unknown
- there has been no discussion of limiting returning residents to cayman passport holders only, work permit holders and other documented residents may return, but no children
- tanker with 4 week fuel supply is expected in the next day or so
- C&W expects main central GT lines to be operational in one week
- cellular service is improving
- govt services and offices will work in partnership with private business to get back up and running
- still no confirmed casualties
 
Stacey will update me on a daily basis and I will post here.
 
Scott Lennon
 

- Spoke to Cayman by phone today
  • From: William Charles <engineer AT marpin.dm>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 17:03:25 -0400
Hi, I am William Charles from Dominica witht the Lions Club and got a 
call from Lion Dorophy Davis, Lions club Member President of Tropical 
Gardens Lions Club. She is fine and weathered the hurricane at her 
office with many others along with her daughter. This was her first call 
out of Cayman and was surprised to reach me as she was trying to reach 
other persons, she has met up with a couple of other lions but it is 
difficult because the road network is not motorable  and everywhere is 
far to walk, but the situation there is bad as she explained. this 
conversation was at 4:30pm



- Update on Cayman Brac
  • From: "William Boley" <bolycnsl AT hi-line.net>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 14:06:36 -0600
Hello  W This is again William Boley, father of Lance and Kathleen Boley, updating circumstances on Cayman Brac as given to me on the cell phone from my son on the Brac as of 2PM 9/14/04 Mountain Standard Time.  There are no known injuries on Cayman Brac due to Ivan.  Moderate roof damage. Power has been restored. Public works are doing a great job. Some damage from waves and boulders, primarily on the south side.  Some flooding on the west end is blocking the road to hotels.  There is a volunteer relief effort assembling on the Brac to send help to Grand Cayman. Smaller jets are landing now at Grand Cayman with some evacuation from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac.  According to one of the ministers heard on the radio by Lance there is no loss of life on Grand Cayman. No word about Little Cayman.  To Derek & Kay, your house is fine and dry.  Some minor tree damage.   Telephone access is very bad but some calls are getting through.   More information will be provided as I get it.  Best to you all.  William

- Murray McGregor and Turtle Beach Villas
  • From: Hayden <haydenmcgregor AT shaw.ca>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 12:53:46 -0700

Hi there

My name is Hayden McGregor and I live on Vancouver Island BC, Canada  and my brother Murray McGregor lives on Seven Mile beach  at Turtle Beach Villas on the third floor. He bought the place 6 weeks ago – bad timing!

 

I managed to speak to him on Monday morning – he managed to book a room at the Marriott Beach Resort the day before the hurricane struck which is next door to Turtle Beach Villas.

 

He relocated there when it became clear that Turtle Beach Villas was not going to survive the storm. He watched as the roof peeled off the Villas and saw his property and curtains disappearing into the sea. The Marriott was completely surrounded by water. He reported that Turtle Beach has no roof, the one side of the building has collapsed, and the building will definitely have to be demolished. The back walls are open to the street.

He is trying to salvage some of his goods that miraculously remained before looters get to it.

 

The Marriott is now a shelter – thank god for concrete buildings  - perhaps when Caymans is re-built they should impose a ban on wooden structures and force brick and concrete construction!

 

Hayden McGregor

Canada

 

 


- Update
  • From: "Ron Anderson" <randers1 AT comcast.net>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 14:57:07 -0500
Fortis Inc. to Help Caribbean Utilities Restore Electricity Service on Grand
Cayman

Tuesday September 14, 3:15 pm ET
ST JOHNS, Newfoundland And Labrador--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2004--Fortis
Inc. (is currently assembling crews and equipment to provide emergency
assistance to Caribbean Utilities in restoring electricity service on Grand
Cayman in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. Fortis holds a 38 per cent
interest in the utility.
Stan Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis says that
while communication is still severely limited, Caribbean Utilities indicates
that it has incurred substantial damage to its transmission and distribution
systems as a result of the hurricane. Its generation facilities and main
substations appear to have suffered only minor damage.
Caribbean Utilities has requested the assistance of Fortis and its other
affiliated utilities to help restore electricity service as soon as
possible. An emergency shipment of utility vehicles, mobile generators,
poles and other supplies from Belize Electricity is being loaded for
transport to Grand Cayman. Approximately 45 engineers, technicians and
linesmen from Fortis utilities in Canada and Belize are preparing to leave
for Grand Cayman to help personnel of Caribbean Utilities.
"At this time, our thoughts are with those whose lives have been impacted by
Hurricane Ivan. Fortis will do whatever we can to assist management of
Caribbean Utilities during this very difficult time," says Marshall.


- More from US Task Force 888-407-4747
  • From: Gnforpeace AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 14:51:04 EDT
The US State Dept will take the name of your family members/friends who are U.S. Citizens and wish to evacuate the Cayman Islands.

I just spoke with them (11:35 a.m. PDT) - Their office is open from 8am to 8pm EDT (888-407-4747). Ask for the Task Force handling the Cayman Islands when you reach a "live" operator.

The information she was able to give me from reports they've received:

The island had massive flooding but many of the water are beginning to recede including the waters that may have at one time divided portions of West Bay from the rest of Grand Cayman.

10% of the homes are uninhabitable with a greater number sustaining damage

Many 7 Mile Beach hotels are damaged

2 British ships are expected to be able to dock today and crews may be able to land some time laer today

Her report that the airport terminal was destroyed (although I've heard otherwise) but that a small section of the runway is functional

1-3 planes have landed bringing some relief supplies

30 dialysis patients were scheduled for evacuation today and she believed this may have already occurred.

No reported deaths although they expect that there may have been some that have yet to be confirmed

The evacuation process was prioritized for those needing medical attention or in some other way were not safe

She advised all people to stay out of the flood waters if possible to avoid contamination from sewage, etc.

If you are safe, stay where you are unless you need to leave the location for supplies, etc.

As far as the Task Force has heard, no commerical flights have come in or left but there may be private charters available on a very limited basis

There is also a number in Jamaica to call, although she said it has been very difficult for people to get through 876-929-8780 or 876-929-5374

- GRAND CAYMAN - ELECTRICITY EFFORTS
  • From: THOMSONNY AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 13:40:57 EDT
Hello Gert.  My name is Holly Thomson.  My husband and I live in South Sound, Grand Cayman.  My husband; Peter Thomson is President/CEO of CUC the electricity company on Grand Cayman. 

Peter is there.  He has been there and is going to be there for quite sometime.  He and Richard Hew; General Manager are organizing crews and moving efforts forward to restore electricity. Peter left our home in South Sound Saturday afternoon and has been staying at the Hurricane Shelter at the CUC plant.  He knew then it was going to be bad and told me "Hol, expect the worst".  Our house is half gone and like many we've suffered losses but thankfully and most importantly, he's alive and well.

I speak with him daily although our conversations are brief.  I wait for his calls as he reaches us at our home in NY via satellite telephone.  I have no other way to communicate with him.

I have been reading the postings to your web site which has been such a resourceful and helpful way of communicating for so many.  Thank you.

Don't have any idea yet exactly how long it will be before electricity is restored and who will go on first.  I do know it is a matter of safety and CUC is doing all they can.
I do know that the plant and office building is there.  I've read reports stating otherwise.  Yesterday morning at 7:00am time when my husband called us from the shelter to let me know he was ok, he said "I can tell you that my office building is still there".

I will try and share any pertinent information with you as I get it.  Our prayers and thoughts with all who are there and dealing with this latest devestation.

Regards, Holly Thomson.


- Associated press could not land airplane at airport. World has not forgotten Cayman
  • From: "Joseph Jekkel" <jekkel AT triglobalwealth.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 12:25:26 -0400
Please read. This is why there is a lack of press coverage. We care and will be 
there for you.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/aplatin_story.asp?category=1102&slug=Surviving%20the%20Hurricane


- Cayman Net News...11:00 am Tue Update.......Gert, it is running real slow, so I thought U might get it out so people can read it.
  • From: "Ron Anderson" <randers1 AT comcast.net>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:22:10 -0500
Facing the aftermath of Ivan
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
The people of the Cayman Islands now face severe difficulties in the
aftermath of Hurricane Ivan because of no electricity or water.

However, the population continues to stay calm and are exhorted to do so by
the Governor, Mr Bruce Dinwiddy, the Leader of Government Business, Hon
McKeeva Bush, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Kurt Tibbetts, elected
officials, and church and community leaders.

This is the first time in the modern history of the Cayman Islands that
people have felt what it is like to be without modern conveniences for any
extended period of time.

As the aftereffects of Ivan set in, many people are walking the streets
homeless and there are few places open to purchase food or drink.

Two of the major supermarkets suffered severe damage and one, Kirk
Supermarket, has been completely demolished. According to an eyewitness
report, “It looks as though a bomb went off inside it.”

The remaining Hurleys and Fosters supermarkets are reported to be open,
although damaged.

Thompson Shipping is scheduled to recommence bringing in food and other
supplies on Wednesday.

There have been eyewitness reports of sporadic looting, contrary to the
Government’s official statement on the matter, and security remains of great
concern.

Two Royal Navy vessels, which arrived in Cayman waters on Monday, are
expected to dock today, as soon as sea conditions permit.

The airport reopened at 12 noon on Monday, but only for daytime landings and
only for relief flights, not for commercial flights.

According to Government officials there are no confirmed deaths so far.
However, the Government has now revised its high estimate of homes damaged
from 50 percent to 80 percent.

In response to many requests from our overseas readers, Cayman Net News is
working with Cable & Wireless to try to set up an information hotline.
Further details will be published as soon as they are available.

As previously reported, the Cayman Islands government has announced that a
committee will be established to co-ordinate relief efforts but, as of
Tuesday morning, no details have been made available. Cayman Net News will
be working directly with government officials today to try to get at least
preliminary information published as soon as possible.

---------------------

UK Parliamentary Statement on the Cayman Islands
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
The following is the text of a statement made in Parliament today by Hilary
Benn , the UK Secretary for State for International Development, on the UK's
response to Hurricane Ivan and its impact on the Cayman Islands:

Initial reports indicate that the Cayman Islands have been severely
affected. 95% of homes have suffered roof damage. There are unconfirmed
reports of some loss of life and injury.

Contact is still extremely difficult with the island authorities, but HMS
Richmond - which is now offshore - reports that travel is very restricted,
with 25% of Grand Cayman under water.

The sewage system is flooded and there has been no power since Saturday.

The Governor has requested immediate supplies, including plastic sheeting,
cots for small children and water purification equipment. We are looking to
dispatch these in the next 24 hours.

The Governor has also said that he has concerns about law and order - there
is currently a curfew in force - and there are plans in hand to reinforce
police capacity from neighbouring islands.

The DFID assessment team will try and get to Grand Cayman tomorrow.

We will continue to monitor the situation on the ground across the
Caribbean. The International Red Cross intends to launch a regional appeal
in the coming days, and we will contribute to it.

I am sure that the thoughts of the House are with all those who have been
affected by this terrible force of nature. We will continue to do all that
we can to help them as they seek to rebuild their homes and their lives.


- Re: News about Little Cayman (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:44:52 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 08:46:21 -0700
From: Tom Little
Subject: Re: News about Little Cayman

Gert:

My son James was able to get word out this morning from Little Cayman.
 He confirmed that all on the island were well.  It sounded like the
island, though suffering some damage, came through ok.  He reported that
the Village Sq. store was open today and that it had power.  That's the
extent of the info I have, but thought I would share it with you.  My
prayers are with the great people of the Cayman Islands, and especially
those on Grand Cayman.

Tom


- Pictures Cayman Kai
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:16:20 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:20:26 +0100
From: "Harvey, P (Paul)"

 <<Doc1.doc>>
Gert

One of my neighbours sent me some aerial photos of The Gardens of The
Kai Units 3-10 on Water Cay Road, Cayman Kai, Grand Cayman. (Mine is No
2. God knows how they got the photos!!). Is there any way you can post
this word document to the web? A lot of people are asking about North
Side and this is the best I can find at present.


Best regards

Paul Harvey

E-Mail harvey1958@btopenworld.com

Attachment: caymankai.jpg
_____________________________________________________________

- Grand Cayman: Latest Report from The Shores in West Bay
  • From: "Derrilee Ferguson" <derrilee AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:54:16 -0700
My parents (Cherrylee and Dexter Bush) called tonight from The Shores at 
West Bay and gave this report...

All of the homes in The Shores are still standing but have sustained some 
damage. The damage is mostly in the form of flooding, missing roof shingles, 
damaged roofs, broken windows, and damaged garage doors. Boats were thrown 
into people’s yards and in the middle of the street.

Once the ocean started spilling onto the land, it took about 20 minutes for 
flood waters to completely surround homes. Reports were of waves crashing 
into doors and exterior walls like they were a boat adrift on the sea. 
Eventually entering homes and rising to about 1 to 2 feet (knee high) 
inside. The flooding lasted about 2 hours before subsiding back into the 
ocean.

My family reported at one time they had to prevent the front door of the 
house from being torn open by holding it (took 4 people plus the materials 
they had used to secure the door). The had to hold on to this door for about 
13 hours until the winds finally calmed down enough to go outside and roll a 
heavy boulder up against the door to secure it. A very frightening ordeal.

Nails that had been used to board up homes were torn out.

A neighbor's house (Leonard) has suffered roof damage as a result of a palm 
tree collapsing on it. My family’s house has also suffered ceiling and roof 
damage as a result of a balcony collapsing.

Some cars have been lost due to damage from debris and being carried away by 
flood waters. They estimated being hit by winds of about 225 MPH.

No electricity yet, no running water and communication is intermittent.

Some homes in West Bay have been lost but no specific reports yet.

Thanks.

My email address is Derrilee@hotmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________
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School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx


- Finally news from the North Side
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 02:13:25 -0400 (EDT)

Before I stop for the day I want to share this post from the Pleas for
Help phorum:

NEWS FROM NORTH SIDE
Author: Mike Miller (---.client.mchsi.com)
Date:   09-14-04 01:39

Greg Chisholm in Minnesota, just spoke to cousin Jeff Ebanks, son of
Willie Ebanks. Willie is the owner of the famous pig farm in Hutland. Greg
had been dialing Jeff for hours and days on Jeff's cell phone # and was
shocked to actually get through late Monday night.
Now for the report:
All persons that Jeff has seen and talked to in Northside, Frank Sound,
and Old Man Bay survived ok. This includes the Chisholm and Ebanks
families!
The North Side shelter held a large number of residents for 2 days and all
seem ok, but shaken up.
Looks like a bomb went off in most areas.
Driftwood- mostly gone except north wall
Over the edge -gone
Kaibo- fair condition
"Sea- side Sands"-front porch gone, windows broken,and part of the roof
missing. This home is my mother-in laws- Marian Post, for those who know
her. That was the only reports of specific damage to homes in Rum Pt area.
sorry I have no other specific news on the Retreat or Rum Pt.
Jeff was able to drive his 4X4 down the road from Old Man Bay-Kaibo.
I am sure as daybreak comes on Tuesday, other cell phones may be up and
operational and others of you will hear news.

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Cayman News
  • From: MGCTeacher AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 01:03:53 EDT

I’m Kelvin Thompson’s niece, daughter of Madeline (Kelvin’s sister), Michele from Houston, Tx.  Kelly’s house on the corner of Melmac Avenue and Walkers Rd. has lost its roof and the ceiling has caved in to the house.

 

My cousin Amaris Coe and family on Crew Road are fine.  I talked to her up until 12pm on Sunday, and she was afraid their roof was going to cave in on them.  The roof came off 2 of the bedrooms, but rest of the house seems to be livable.  She has taken in her family on her father's side (her Aunt Judy) who lost their roof during the storm.  Her aunt said she thought they were going to die, but they somehow managed to get to a neighbors house.

 

My aunt Selma Eden (Meme) is fine.  Her house on Melmac Ave. faired the best with only slight damage compared to everyone else.  Only one of her birds died amazingly!

 

Uncle Ditto’s house near George Town Hospital and Walkers Rd. lost its roof.  He spent most of the time crouched in one of the bathrooms during the storm.  He finally made it to his son’s house, Greg Thompson, who lives next door, sometime Sunday evening.

 

My cousin Lyndhurst Bodden and his wife Darbra are doing fine.  Their house is on Walkers Rd just past The Church of God on the left.  They have some family and friends staying with them at the moment.  Lyndhurst Bodden said it looks like a boom was dropped on the island.  He said, “Michele, you do not want to see Cayman like this.â€

 

Lyndhurst’s sister, Selma Lee says she can’t take anymore, and she will be heading to stay with my parent in Houston with her little girl as soon as she can get a flight out of Cayman.  Her house on Smith Rd. (just pass the 4 way stop sign with Walkers  and Smith Rd) was severely damage and everything they have is ruined.  She was staying with her brother during the storm.

 

Lots of roof and water damage, but thankfully everyone in my family is ALIVE!!! 


- Report on Vista Caribe and US Embassy
  • From: "jscody" <jscody AT sbcglobal.net>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:33:08 -0700

You are wonderful for keeping this forum going. Thank you for providing this link of communication!!!!

I just spoke with the US State Department (thanks for the number Laraine) J

The woman on at the State Department recommended that U.S. Citizens should contact the Kingston Embassy for details on evacuation plans and assistance. The phone number is 876-929-4850. My father, Don Kennedy, weathered the storm at the Marriott. We spoke briefly this afternoon and he is just fine. Does anyone have any reports on Vista Caribe Condominiums? It is across from Hurley’s on Red Bay Road.

 
Sadonna

- News from Grand Cayman
  • From: "Kathryn Roffey" <kathryn_roffey AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:55:56 -0500
I just received a phone call from George Town, Grand Cayman. My mother, 
Nurse Annie Mae Roffey was one of the nurses on duty at the John Gray 
shelter. The roof actually came off of the shelter at around 6 am and they 
ended up breaking down the door to the cafeteria and the 200 odd people 
moved into it for about 6 hours before help came to transport people 
elsewhere. Everyone that was there was fine and some of the sick people were 
later transported to the George Town Hospital. (Whose roof is intact by the 
way, I had heard otherwise.) Most cell and land lines are working on and 
off. Just keep trying. Water and Power is still out and most of the roads 
inaccessible. Hope that helps anyone whose loved ones were at the shelter.

              Kathryn

_________________________________________________________________
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- Curfew and Evacuations
  • From: Lyn Wattley <lyn44watt AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:45:06 -0700 (PDT)
Gert, God Bless you for what you are able to do and are doing. 
I just got off the phone with John Darby who is safe and sound.
 He said there is a curfew tonight after 6pm.  There is some
looting going on - even with the augmented police force out. 
He also said that the C. Government is making efforts to
evacuate family members and children off island as there is not
enough food and water.  I interpreted that to mean
non-essentials (non-working spouses,  possibly people on work
permits).  They just had more rain -
I have heard from a few people that the Northside 'was wiped
out' - not confirmed as of yet.  But I am willing to establish
a phone network of people who have property up there.  I am in
Louisiana (the southeast quadrant, just north of Lake
Ponchartrain) - and communications may go down as we are
expected to get Ivan within the next 48 hours.
Contact me via email if you have interests on the Northside...I
will do my best to get back to you by phone (so leave me some
numbers, please).
Lyn Wattley


- georgetown info
  • From: SSCayman AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:32:14 EDT
We heard from my sister this afternoon 6:oo central time. They had survived Ivan while seeking shelter at Cayman Drug in Georgetown but had lost their home that is on West Bay Road near Cemetery Reef. No electricity, no phones.

- Found
  • From: "annew" <annew AT wightman.ca>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:54:12 -0400
Please post this, and a great thank you for this site.
 
My son and his wife, Pat and Elizabeth Weber, have been found and are located in the hospital.  Elizabeth's sister was able to call them from England, and spoke briefly.  Elizabeth said it was horrible and she would never wish to experience anything like that again.   Their condo has been flattened (I think it was in the Ocean Club area) and they have lost everything.  Their cars have floated away and looters are taking everything. The island looks like a war zone. But thank God they are alive.
I wish to thank you for this site.  It was my lifeline. 
I also wish to make a complaint for the lack of media/television coverage your island has received from Canada and the U.S.  They cover Grenada, Cuba, Jamaica, and Florida but they have forgotten the Caymans.  Are Cayman residents not just as important?  I am in Ontario Canada, and several people from this area are on the island, yet nothing is reported.  I understand that the people in Great Britain share the same problem.
My prayers are with everyone searching for, and living in, the Caymans right now. 
Joyce Weber

- News on Villas Pappagallo
  • From: <don AT caynet.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 04:46:01 +0200

Received the following two messages from Phyl Lyons on Grand Cayman
regarding Villas Pappagallo:

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:32:17 -0500
Hi, I spoke with Lise {property manager VP} briefly about an hour
ago...Lise, Jasmine, and Jim all live in the South  Sound and they are 
all right and happy to be alive.  No one can go to West Bay because of
the flooding and the roads are impassable.
West Bay is cut off from the rest of the Island.  She said that Guy's
tenant in his one bedroom had contacted Guy and said his windows were
blown out, but I'm not sure if this was just the one bedroom , or Guy's
upstairs, also.
I tried to reach Guy and could not, but he and Amanda were ok,  but
cannot get to West Bay, according to Lise.
 I think what we all ought to be concerned about is looting.  I lost
contact with my friend Eric about 7 am Sunday morning, but when I
reestablish contact with him I'm sure he will go over to Pappagallo as
soon as he can for us and see the damage, as he lives by the Turtle
Farm.  When I hear anything I'll email all of you again.  Let me know
if you hear anything, in the meantime.
Best Regards,
Phyl

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:55:55 -0500
Dear all:
I just had a message from Guy on my cell phone, he says that he is in
Georgetown, he has heard that we did not at Pappagallo suffer the total
devastation like some; however, the roofs are heavily damaged
(surprise!), all the trees are down, windows blown out, sand
everywhere, the parking lot is a river running across the road to the
Restaurant, the Island itself is devastated, and he probably cannot do
anything until next week.  He has not been out there, of course, so he
cannot tell us about individual units, sorry.  As  I stated, when I can
talk to Eric I will let you know more details.  Still cannot get thru
on land lines.  He will go over and video it for us when he can get
there. 
Cheers.
phyl


- Peter Oneill again
  • From: "Sandra Plumley" <plumley AT sympatico.ca>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:52:01 -0400

another brief conversation with pete and conor o'dea

-they are in good spirits and working hard

 

i reinforced to them that there are thousands of people up hear soo eager to help, and very eager to send supplies, they are compiling a list tonight of what they think they will need

(joking said he and conor need new "jocks"....remember they are irish!)

 

a little more info, but sorry nothing more specific than what is here:

-Patricks island he said not too bad, probably a little flooding maybe a little roof damage but all in all he thinks that it fared prettty well compared to other areas of the island.

 

-he heard northside graveyard washed away

-he heard northside fairly ravaged (no specifics),

-he heard moritts is gone

-he heard east end coast line ravaged

-all houses on old prospect road confirmed badly beaten well beyond being liveable (sorry Myron) but condo complex on inland side of rd may not be as bad..speculation

 

i asked him if he was frightened during the storm and he said if he had not been in butterfield house he probably would have been.

 

-they seem eager to get people off the island

-navy ships still waiting for sea to calm down so they can dock

 

-emphasized that LOOTING is WIDESPREAD and very dangerous (not to scare anyone)

 

i think that is it for now

 

Julia Plumley

 

Sandra Plumley

 

44 Ironside Court

Kanata, Ontario

K2K 3H6 Canada

 

Phone: (613) 592-4703

FAX: (613) 592-6964

 

email: plumley@sympatico.ca

 


- Update - 10:03 p.m.
  • From: "Lauren Bush" <missmainegal AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:14:14 -0500
I just spoke to my ex-husband Minroy Hydes who has confirmed several things 
for me and provided a lot of relief that I would like to share. Here it is:

-No deaths reported so far. Stories of bodies floating and mass deaths in 
East End and Bodden Town are inaccurate.
-Mariners Cove IS GONE and was across the road however, bulldozers have 
helped to make the road passable.
-Minroy, asked me to send out a plea for HELP!!!! In his opinion, it will 
take months and months to clean up the island, and he is asking for us to 
spread the word that help is urgently needed.
-CUC (my place of work) IS NOT GONE!!!
-A lot of homes lost shingles and roofs but are still structurally intact
-Most trees are down
-C&W cell phones getting pretty good signal in some areas
-As previously reported, cars are all over the place
-Shipping containers have been scattered about some parts of the island

Most importantly I would like to reiterate the fact that there are no 
reported/confirmed deaths. If there had been mass deaths in E.E. or B.T. ham 
radio operators/government would have gotten the word out by now. SO keep up 
the positive spirits!

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- The Scotsman
  • From: "Casey E. Leydon" <echjr AT bellsouth.net>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:07:38 -0500

Killer wall of water hits Caymans

 

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1077682004

 

JACQUI GODDARD IN MIAMI

THE full horror of Hurricane Ivan’s brutal spree through the British Cayman Islands began to emerge last night as residents reported a killer wall of water submerging the country and "devastation beyond imagination".

There were unconfirmed reports of a number of deaths and claims that corpses had been seen floating on the storm-tide. Locals and British ex-pats described roofs "peeling off like they were fastened on with Velcro" and lorries bobbing on the rising floodwater like bath-toys.

Some knotted bedsheets together to abseil from third-floor apartments as the sea gushed in, filling rooms from floor to ceiling and sending crabs crawling up the walls. Buildings collapsed, boulders were bowled down the streets, waves rolled along the airport runway and coconuts were fired through windows like bullets.

"The aftermath is catastrophic," said Mark Porter, 23, who was on holiday on
Grand Cayman with a friend, Peter Oakes, 24, when the 150mph hurricane swept the Caribbean. Both are from Swansea.

"Pictures will never show the true horror and words cannot describe the storm, the howling and screaming. Roofs are off, floods are everywhere, trees are down. Many, if not all, buildings in the capital,
George Town, suffered damage. The road is littered with large rocks, roofs, wood, signs, sand, palm leaves and coconuts. People are in awe of the damage."

Telephone lines were severed, mobile telephone masts toppled, power cut off and radio stations forced off air. The Royal Navy frigate, HMS Richmond, was offshore last night but was unable to make contact and said it could not lower boats or launch helicopters to reach the main
island of Grand Cayman because of stormy conditions.

The Foreign Office had only sporadic contact with the British territory’s governor, Bruce Dinwiddy, who reported that
Grand Cayman was "a mess" and had suffered severe damage. Whitehall issued an appeal to the Hurricane Watch Net, a network of ham radio operators scattered across the US and Caribbean, to help relay messages in.

"We have been talking to some hams on the islands who tell us that at one point they had to take their radios and move to the attic because the water was pouring in, that’s how desperate things had become," said Michael Pilgrim, head of the Hurricane Watch Net.

"We have contacted a radio ham on
Grand Cayman, who has passed a message to a policeman, who is going to the governor to tell him that Richmond is there to provide


- Little Cayman
  • From: "Beth Ann Cross" <betanka AT earthlink.net>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:06:41 -0500
Report from my Aunt Brigitte on Little Cayman.  She and Robin are fine and have made something of a circuit of most of the island over the last day or so:

The north shore looked okay. I know they drove as far as Mulaks'.

They counted fourteen houses "down" in her words--not sure if that means gone or heavily damaged and don't think we got a complete list but here's what she said:

3 cottages at Southern Cross
Captain Charles' house
the 1st floor at Neptune's Berth
1st floor at Walkers'
Head O'Bay
Cristoffers' cottage (Bill's boat is still floating, though)
Bruce Eldemire's house

All of the sea grapes are gone at Gladys' but the house is okay.

She said there is debris everywhere.

Driving back to Brigitte's house, the truck got stuck and they had to walk the rest of the way from the airport. The water was four feet deep at some point--up to her chest. I believe this was yesterday morning after they left the shelter (8am).
 
Brigitte's home is fine and they're on generator power. Water reached at least 100ft from the shore there.

That's all we know for now.  Their cell battery was almost gone--it took them all day of trying to get a call out.

Beth Ann

- Cayman Relief Drive
  • From: camella mclean <c_amella AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:04:27 -0700 (PDT)

Attn: Caymanian Students in the USA especially Florida / we can do our part to help.

 

I’m a Caymanian student attending university in Michigan and am currently coordinating a donation drive at the church I attend and at my job on the university campus. You can do the same.

Tortuga Imports, Inc Miami is kindly offering their warehouse to store donations for shipment to Cayman.

Therefore if you attend a church within your community, work on your university Campus, or is apart of a club, you can coordinate a donation drive and with their help ship /deliver these disparately needed items to Miami to the below listed address.

 

Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Efforts

C/O Tortuga Imports, Inc.

14202 S.W. 142 Avenue

Miami, FL 33186

Phone: (305) 378-6668   

Toll Free 1-877-486-7884

FAX 305 378 0990

 

People are eager to give. We only have to take the initiative and get the ball rolling. I know you may have classes, but so do I. This is desperate times which call for desperate measures to help out our beloved Cayman and our people…. Thanks, as I’m sure like myself, your heartfelt prays are with our beloved people.

 

Hang in there Cayman…we love you…and we will definitely get back on our feet….God Bless

 

Regards,

Camella McLean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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- Cayman Update
  • From: "Kristin Behrens" <sopranokris AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:55:38 -0500
I finally heard from my father at 8:05 PM CST.  He works for CUC and has 
been busy all day assessing damage.  He estimates that it will take at least 
a month to a month to two months to restore power to parts of the island 
(contrary to the goverment report).  Their preliminary assessment is that 
George Town will be the first to get power back, depending on other factors.

He confirmed many of the reports coming in.  About 90% of the homes have 
some sort of damage.  Some are completely devasted, others only mildly 
damaged.  He did confirm that he saw Mariner's Cove completely decimated.  
Only concrete slabs remains along w/the rental office.

He said clean water is a major concern amongst the folks.  They're happy the 
Royal Navy ships are there.  They are still getting most news by word of 
mouth since the electricity is out.

--Kristin Behrens
Chicago

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- Yahoo pictures (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:58:25 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:51:49 EDT
From: Dandacain
To: gert@gobeach.com
Subject: Yahoo pictures

Gert,

The second picture on the yahoo website is the "Gardens of the Kai" in Cayman
Kai across the street from the Kaibo.  It is the picture with the gray units
grouped around a swimming pool. Thought your readers would be interested in
that.
Thank you for all of your work keeping us all together at a time like this.
It is greatly appreciated by many, many people.

Amy Cain


- first aerial photos (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:37:00 -0400 (EDT)


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:15:16 -0400 (EDT)
From: Graham Johnson <grahamsmail@yahoo.com>
Subject: first aerial photos

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news/?ei=ISO-8859-1&c=news_photos&p=Grand+Cayman

These are the first that I know of.  I wish someone would post a detailed map 
of Caymans, i.e., street map of George Town, etc!  It would help greatly since 
many of us have relatives there, but haven't been there ourselves.


PS.  See at the top of this page for a link to detailed maps. Gert





---------------------------------
Post your free ad now! Yahoo! Canada Personals


- Grand Caymans: Revised Contact Number For Evacuation Help
  • From: harmonytrucking <harmonytrucking AT harbornet.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 18:25:32 -0700
Dear Gert,

I have been advised that the number provided earlier was not much help.  We 
have the NEW appropriate number for emergency assistance.
This number is for the State Department Task Force.  They want ALL US 
Citizens to contact them at this number 1-888-407-4747.  They want to
know the name, status and location of every US Citizen so they can 
coordinate an evacuation as soon as it is feasible for those that want to 
leave.

The consulate officer's that were located on the Caymans have yet to check 
in.  They are looking for anybody on the island that can contact them to
assist in helping them with this effort.  If you have any information on 
citizens that haven't registered with them yet, or would like to register 
yourself, please call them.

Laraine


- Condition of Lime Tree Bay (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:32:52 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:34:44 -0400
From: "Jim@Greensleeves"
Subject: Condition of Lime Tree Bay

Dear Gert,

We heard from our friends sister that their 2 story condo is in 3' of water at 
Lime Tree Bay and they are well. They were situated very close to the water as 
well. The structure, for the moment, seems to be holding. We also spoke with 
Atlantis Submarine office here in Miami and they said the location on Church 
Street is gone as well as many places along Downtown Church Street, Ocean side. 
Also, Downtown Church street, the street itself, gone.

Thank you so much for your web site- we have been able to help 2 people with 
our info.

Thanks-we got the site info from Atlantis.

Best regards,
Jim and  Debra


- Hurricane Ivan (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:28:36 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:19:18 -0300
From: Graeme Somerville
Subject: Hurricane Ivan


This message is coming from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

We have been following the devastating news from our beloved Cayman with
much distress.

We have learned that our good friends from Trade Winds at Pease Bay, and
surrounding properties were evacuated to other areas and all are safe.

To Rev. Otto Menko and all our friends in the congregation of Webster
Memorial United Church in Bodden Town our thoughts and prayers are with
you and, God willing, we will meet again,

Catherine and Graeme Somerville


- Cayman Islands Yacht Club Update
  • From: Jennzah76 AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:21:30 EDT
I spoke with my husband this evening - he is in our house at the Cayman Islands Yacht Club.  He said boats are piled up everywhere like toys - many in the surrounding woods and mangrove swamps.  Sherrill and Joel Bushfield, I'm sorry but your boat is upside down on the seawall on the vacant land next to our house, accross from the marina.  He said cell phone calls from person to person on the island are impossible, but with patience (it took him two hours) people can call off the island.  There is a boat blocking West Bay Rd. keeping traffic from getting up our way.  He said he can see Raleigh Quay from our house and part of the roof is off.  There are boats piled up in the yard there.  Our neighbors across the canal (they own Cayman 27) have lost part of their roof and many windows.  He also said at Britannia, where we have a condo that faces east, the storm blew in the doors and literally blew out the front foyer wall and into the kitchen, toppling the fridge, etc. 

He is most concerned about our friends MIKE AND BOOBI FLOWERS, and others who took refuge at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.  If anyone has any news on them or the church please email me at jennzah76@aol.com  They were apparently in an area that got hit really bad. 

He said at one point he looked out the window from where he was on the bathroom sink counter (we had water waste deep) and could see waves crashing with the tips of them as high as our roof. 

He will pay for a car - any car - at this point - so if you have one or know of one to rent him - call me !!!!!!!!!!!!  704-756-9111 or 704-664-6758.

Ours apparently floated out the backyard and won't start now.

Jennifer Looney

- Heard from Jason Philpott and Paul Bukovec
  • From: Jennifer and Blair Philpott <caymanbj AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 18:07:01 -0700 (PDT)
My husband Blair and I live in the Northside and our luckily on vacation in BC right now.  We are searching for some information on the North Side and Rum Point area where our home is.  We have been in contact with Jason Philpott, my husbands brother, and he is very shookin up.  He said that the roof of his apartment has caved in and 2 palm trees have crushed his car.  He is now in a shelter with friends and is lucky enough to have a generator. He said that there are no trees in view, lots of damage to the point where we would not even recognize the island.  I am just thankful that he is alright and I pray that the island will be able to recover from this nightmare.  Paul Bukovec is alright as well. 
 
If anyone has any iformation on Rum Point, Kaibo Yacht Club (North Side in general), please e-mail me at CAYMANBJ@yahoo.com
 
Thank you for this wonderful service,
 
Jennifer and Blair Philpott


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- Dolphin Beach on Grand Cayman (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:05:34 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:03:44 -0400
From: Mike Bird
Subject: Dolphin Beach on Grand Cayman

I'm writing from Toronto Canada.  My wife's nephew Jeff Danter and his
fiance Jody Lukey are both safe, but they report that their condo on
Dolphin Beach is gone. Don't have any other details.
"We must say all the words that should be spoken, before they are lost and
gone forever" - Chris de Burgh in 'Shine On'.


- Cable & Wireless Cayman Islands
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:04:16 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 18:00:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: Neal Sangal

Statement by Cable & Wireless
Monday, September 13, 2004
The following is the full text of a statement issued
on Monday, September 13, 2004 by Timothy Adam, Chief
Executive of Cable & Wireless Cayman Islands:

The Cable & Wireless team is hard at work around the
clock to maintain and restore telecommunications
services to the fullest.

Our core network systems for fixed lines for local and
international calling and both TDMA and GSM mobile are
up and running.

Several remote sites for both fixed and mobile
services are down and we are assessing the situation
to determine the fastest means of restoration.

We are in contact with other Cable & Wireless
locations, support services and suppliers. Supplies
are on their way from places ranging from Panama,
Jamaica, Trinidad, USA and the UK to ensure
continuation of services.

We were in the position to offer 911 emergency workers
a place from which to operate during the hurricane.

They, along with our own crisis management team,
bunkered at One Technology Square for the duration of
the hurricane. We worked with the 911 team throughout
the night to advise and implement various technical
and logistical challenges that presented themselves
before, during and after the storm to keep as many
channels of communication open as much as possible.

We know there is a great demand for 911 services right
now and their lines are congested. Anyone still having
difficulty reaching 911 is urged to keep trying to
call until they get through.

One Technology Square did not fail us. Our building on
Eastern Avenue was designed to withstand a category 5
hurricane and was made available to Cable & Wireless
staff and their families as a shelter.

However, due to the overwhelming need by the general
public in this vicinity, our senior management team
decided early on that we would turn no one away,
provided that they respect and abide by rules put in
place to protect life, property and well-being of
everyone in the shelter.

The total number of people that ended up sheltering
here during the hurricane was just under 500.

Despite the hardships, the general mood in the shelter
was thankfulness for having come safely through the
storm.

On Sunday evening, September 12, just before lights
out, the Cable & Wireless and 911 teams and their
families joined in a time of prayer and thanksgiving
to God for divine protection and guidance through the
storm.



- News on the VIBEFM
  • From: Fiona Leslie <fileslie AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 17:55:09 -0700 (PDT)
Gert - please post -
 
Check out www.vibefm.ky for updates on the status of the Cayman Islands after Hurricane Ivan. Vibe FM will resume broadcasting within two days. Forward this to your friends and family.
 
Sincerely,
 
Kenny Rankin
Managing Director


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- Update
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:46:08 -0400 (EDT)

From the Pleas for Help board:  http://stormcarib.com/help/

 NEWS REPORT from Cayman
Author: Julia Plumley (---.sympatico.ca)
Date:   09-13-04 18:59

I spoke to Peter O'Neill at approx 3pm EST today, for approx 40 mins; he
called on a C&W mobile. He had been out since 5.30am cayman time driving
around in his jeep and the following is what he told me:

-best part is people seem happy, big smiles, just thankful to be alive and
to see their friends again. so spirits seem good.
-landline service restored at the Marriott (he was adamant this was true!)
-he said it looks like a nuclear bomb went off, debris everywhere,
furniture in middle of streets, most houses along by-pass near king's gym,
had no roofs
-said it will be days with chainsaws, heavy equip etc. lots of work to do.
-shipping containers scattered randomly everywhere
-up to 50 ft boats still tied to portions of a dock scattered along roads
-happy to see aircraft over head
-navy ships just offshore
-parts of the island that were "there" no longer "there" i.e sunset house,
southsound demolished, turtlefarm gone, lost of west bay destroyed-sorry
no specifics
-NO DEATHS TO HIS KNOWLEDGE (doesn't mean there aren't any)
-widespread looting even during peak of storm
-the ocean still "HUGE"
-Most boats at sailing club washed off trailers, and are "gone"
a collection of boats mingled together on the "ice machine" side of the
club house.
BUILDINGS:
-Butterfield house amazing, well intact
-Parkway still flooded, 5 ft h2o still there
-lime tree bay: boats on top of cars (lots flooding)
-Glass house destroyed, all windows gone
-Walker's House: fine, perhaps damaged cars in car park
-Bank of AMerica severe damage, TOwer bldg too
-old HSBC bldg corner of fort street mostly destroyed, one floor intact
-Hunter's Law Firm (forget new name) seems ok
-Offices where Quin & Hamson are seem ok.
-Courtyard marriott severe damage
-Poinsettia: D block no broken windows, bottom floor flooded to 4 ft, some
leaking 2nd floor. A & B units basically windowless except boarded ones,
bottom units in A all ok only 1 inch flooding
-COastLinetowers South church st structurally intact
-Sappphire Sail boat, tirmaran, parked on someone's front lawn
-Admiral's Retreat structurally sound, 5 ft flooding to ground flr.
-Mariner's Cove: blocking Shamrock Rd, traffic re-routed through Patrick's
island, but it took over an hour so he headed back towards town
-Old Prospect Rd: 4 New Town homes badly damaged, furniture coming out
front door.
-Homes in south sound in rugby club area washed away on seaside.
-Ritz carleton appears fine structurally, scaffolding still up

And the piece de resistance: The dome is still up at the Captain's Bakery.

I think that is it,
Hope this info helps

MORE NEWS FROM PETE ONEILL
Author: Julia Plumley (---.sympatico.ca)
Date:   09-13-04 20:10

Just had a brief conversation

-Rankin's plaza, some roof still left over medical centre, but section of
bldg across from main bldg where dentists offices were, roof is totally
gone.
-my office is on 2nd flr there, said some roof over it, papers, books etc
NOT!!! swirlled around, but a little wet, same with corridor down towards
Drs Madden, Richmond-Peck's etc offices
-possibly there will be an evacuation of all expats
-unofficial word, speculating power to be restored in 3 wks
-some concerrn over lack of petrol
-they are compiling a list of most urgently needed items and will pass is
along.

-said he will call later, very busy trying to get bank of butterfield up
and running...possibly for tomorrow

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Update
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:40:11 -0400 (EDT)
To all friends of Carl & Julie (I just hit Reply All to the message we all
got
from Carl on Friday)
This is an e-mail I just received from Julie's parents in England:

"Hello again, yes my two loved ones are safe and well. Carl somehow got a
message to the Captain of H.M.S. Richmond which is standing by with food
and
water for the islanders. That man telephoned us to say they were safe and
well.
Thank God for that as I have been out of my mind with worry, especially
not
being able to contact anyone with all the services being down over there.
I bet
you are relieved as well. Love. Joyce & Richard"

As we know Carl is very resourceful and might have contacted the ship on
his
marine band radio. This is the only info we have but I am sure you all
wanted
to know they are safe. Richie also just got the same message from Carl's
brother in England.
From,
Richie and Maria in New York


*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Brac to assist Grand Cayman
  • From: "PMS266" <pms266 AT kc.rr.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:23:01 -0500
I talked to Carol Busby of Creek, Cayman Brac at 5 PM CDST and reports from there are minimal damage on the North Side of the Brac.
Land phone lines are still down, and cellular phones are generally working on the island. "All circuits are busy" is the norm calling into the island.
 
According to her the British Navy ship will be delivering 400 Caymanian evacuees from Grand Cayman to the Brac in the next day or 2.
 
Dennis Busby

- Re: missing friends (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:36:57 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:16:50 EDT
From: Burlbeyaks
Subject: Re: missing friends

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

We have heard.  They are okay.  They spent the night in their condo at the
Hyatt, I believe and other than no sleep, no telephone, no power, (as seems to
be the case for all of the people on Cayman and elsewhere).

Thanks again.  You seem to be having a great service.

Sandra Beyak


- News from Linda Palmer and Burns Rutty
  • From: VMACUSA AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:56:00 EDT
The roads are not driveable.  A walking tour of only part of Seven Mile Beach reports Burger King and Pizza Hut had 5 feet of water.  The buildings are intact.  The BK office has some wall damage. My car parked between the buildings has mud up to the windshield.   Burger King on the waterfront seems to be intact. Burger King at Eden Center is a complete wipe out, windows and roof blown in.

No news on the Comfort Suites.

Equipment is now clearing the intown streets.

Mariners Cove Condos in Spotts was blown across the street and blocking the road toward Boddentown and East End.

A L Thompson's Home Depot was a wipe out.  Roof off and water moved the buildings.

Charles Kirkconnel house and guest house at South Sound demolished.

No news on Northside or Cayman Kai of my house or anyother property in that area.

A tidal wave must have come across the North Sound to push so much water up the back side of the island to make the water come acoss to meet the beach.

At last report Morritt's Tortuga Club was still standing. Although heavy seas cme thru the groung floors.

No one has had contact with Burn's brother Jeff.  Water is keeping people apart.

Electric and phone service is not expected to be operable for four days.

- Information on Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands - Hurricane Ivan
  • From: "Tessa Ryan" <bracka_chic AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 18:42:05 -0500
Hi,

This is Tessa Ryan. I am currently in Miami, attending school, but I did 
manage to speak to my mother who lives in the Brac twice today. She said 
that everyone was safe and majority of houses were fine. The only major 
damage was on the South Side of the island...which the waves completely 
washed across the road. Her cell phone was working periodically, but her 
land line still remained down. Majority of homes on the Brac now have 
electricity.

A little report on Cayman....I spoke to my boyfriend, Christen Suckoo, who 
lives in Breezy Castle Way, opposite the Fire Station, GT. He said that he, 
his mother, 2 sisters and their husband and boyfriend were all doing fine. 
Their house sustained minor damages, although all of the trees in his yard 
are completely gone.

On another note, my sister Deseray McLean and her husband were at the Bodden 
Town Primary School shelter, and I have not heard anything from them as yet. 
If anyone has any information as to where they were evacuated to, I would 
appreciate if you could send a response. I am also trying to locate my 
younger sister Bjorna Ebanks who is 9 months pregnant and I think was 
staying in the front houses in Central. I know the house was still standing 
as of today, but no idea where she went. Anyone with any information, please 
e-mail me at bracka_chic@hotmail.com.

All in all though, I think it is time to give thanks to God, because things 
could have been so much worse. May God continue to bless the Cayman Islands 
and allow recovery to be swift.

I would also like to say thank you to everyone who has posted information on 
this website. You are definately a Godsend, as at one point in time, you 
were the only communication as to what was happening in Cayman.

God Bless,
Tessa Ryan

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- Cayman
  • From: "Carlos Guzman" <marmanca AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:45:52 +0000
Update from Cayman National Bank

I received information regarding the Cayman National Building at Elgin 
Avenue. No mayor damage of the building and there is 50 persons on the third 
floor. All in good spirits.

Carlos Guzman @ Intercontinental Hotel (305) 577-1000 room 2228

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- Cayman individuals found
  • From: "Domenica Venir" <dvenir AT tpl.toronto.on.ca>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:32:51 -0400
I am writing from Maple, Ontario, Canada. I have spoken to my sister-in-law, Sabrina (nee Venir) Baker and her husband Mike, who are safe inside the island's hospital. The hospital suffered flooding to the the first floor  and the generator has stopped working. They have all moved up to the second floor and are waiting  for the waters to recede.
They are collecting rainwater to drink because the water is probably contaminated and getting out in 2-3 feet of water is not an option.
The cars in the hospitals parking lot have completely disappeared under the tidal surge that came in. No word yet on what has happened or what is left of their complex.
God Bless them in this time of need.
Domenica Venir

- Cayman 7mile beach
  • From: "Sharon Dore" <sharon.dore AT sympatico.ca>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:25:32 -0400

Hi all

 

I heard from a friend calling on her Cell phone. She looked at 7 Mile beach. Her update as of 3 pm today was

 

§ Roof on the Beachcomber condo 100% gone

§ New Meridian totally intact and dry on 1st floor, pool intact, some eaves trough and wall damage on 5th and 6th floor

§ Beach Club Colony totally destroyed

§ Casa Carib and Islands Club 2nd floor blown out (there are 3 floors here so not sure what this means)

§ Cayman Club looks like it has been destroyed

§ She says no deaths reported on the island

§ 90% of peoples homes are damaged

§ power outage predicted at 2 weeks

§ 2 British war ships docked near the island

§ right now the sun is shiny but the next 2 weeks will be Hell!!!!

 

Our thoughts are with them all – wish we could do more to help.

 

Sharon Dore

Hamilton Ontario Canada

 


- RE: Cayman Islands (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:18:56 -0400 (EDT)

Received from Linda Landua from the Red Cross that she received from Jill
Marie St. John in Trinidad...-Gert


The All Clear has not been given due to the number of areas still
underwater and/or inaccessible.

There are conflicting reports of the numbers of missing and dead.  The
CIRC cannot confirm any numbers at this time.


DAMAGE REPORTS
The West Bay area of Grand Cayman has suffered about 90% damage.  The
sewerage system has collapsed, and there is sewage in the flood waters
that have not yet subsided.

The Eastern District has been cut off.  This is because the Ocean Club
Condos have been pushed into the road.

The Bodden Town Civic Centre, a designated shelter collapsed at the height
of the hurricane.  The destabilization was noted by the shelter occupants
and reported.  They were evacuated during the height of the storm in
155mph winds.  It is not known if this was acheived with out mishap.

The yacht club has been significantly damaged.


CRITICAL FACILITIES

The status of the hospital is not known.  Some 2000 people are now located
in the Health Services compound (the public multi service medical
facility).  It is not known how many of them are there for medical
treatment or merely for shelter.

The airport is completely flooded.

The status of the dock and seaport facilities is not known.  However, the
Waterfront area is under water.


COMMUNICATIONS
No radio stations are operating at this time.


SECURITY
Minimal looting has been reported.


RC Headquarters:
Building is intact.  Flood waters reached above the level of the ground
floor windows.  However, thanks to the sacrifice of the thrift shop
inventory, only two inches of water were experienced in the building.

RC VEHICLES.
The RC vehicle has been squeezed between two trucks.  Its operating status
is not known at the moment.
The mobile command centre has been overturned by flood waters and is now
located behind the emergency supply container located on the compound.

RC EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
The emergency supply container located on the RC compound was also
inundated by flood waters.
It is anticipated that similar occurances took place throughout the island
and on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.

RC OPERATIONS
As is the stipulated agreement with the National Hurricane Committee, the
CIRC shelter was the first opened when the Hurricane Warning was declared.
They operated at twice their capacity during the height of the storm
sheltering a maximum of 140 persons.
They received (and responded where possible) rescue reports throughout the
night, and throughout the passage of Ivan.

See also attached Word document (same text)


*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/

Red Cross document-Ivan.doc

- Grand Cayman (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:14:32 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:06:38 -0700
From: Lynette.W.WEISE@odot.state.or.us
Subject: Grand Cayman

I just got off the phone with my twin sister who lives in Grand Cayman. She
asked that I report into you with the following information:
*       Reported to have 8 - 10 feet rise of water on the island during the
worse part of the storm
*       Reported to have 200 mph winds
*       Georgetown - every house damaged with 1/4 devastated
*       7 mile beach - all buildings damaged with lots of devastation
*       Ocean Club/ Mariners Cove - 100% devastated
*       Homes along South Sound all devastated
*       No contact with North Side/Cayman Kai and she and her husband could
not drive there
*       Airport closed
*       Every power pole is snapped in two - no power, water or sewer
*       Curfew in effect from 6 pm - 6 am
*       Currently the seas are very rough but not raining
*       Rumor has it that it will take weeks to months to restore power
*       My sister is very worried because people were standing outside their
homes with no place to go and no food or water.

Lynette Weise
Business Unit Manager-Construction
503.986.3004


- news about Grand Cayman
  • From: "Denise A. Coleman" <dencoleman AT optonline.net>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:02:05 -0400
I am Melissa Thompson's aunt in New Jersey. I spoke with Melissa and Altee Thompson this morning (Mon) at 7 am. The entire Thompson family is okay. My speaker spoke to Altee's sister, Isabel, a short while ago. Al Thompson, Sr's house is destroyed and the roof is gone from Melissa and Al's house. The whole family and some friends successfully took shelter in the partially constructed new home of Al and Melissa across from Smith cove. I am not certain, but I belive that the Home Depot suffered very severe damage.
Denise Coleman

- Re: Ivan Cayman (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:10:04 -0400 (EDT)

By Gretchen Allen
Associated Press Correspondent

HOUSTON (AP) . .The island looks like a war zone,. Cayman Islands
businesswoman Diana Uzzell told the Associated Press Monday morning by
telephone from the main island of Grand Cayman in the northwestern
Caribbean. She was getting ready to leave the Citrus Grove commercial
building in downtown George Town, the capital, where she and others had
been sheltered from killer storm Hurricane Ivan for the past several days
to attempt to return to her flooded home in the canal-front development of
Governor.s Harbor on the western peninsula.
She said the sign from the Jacques Scott liquor store, about a mile
inland, had been thrown into the center of town by hurricane-force winds
and was .embedded in the Scotia Bank Building. which was reportedly
destroyed.
.There.s nothing to come home to,. Gary Rutty told his wife, Angel, an
evacuee here in Houston with her their three children, ages 2, 5 and 7.
Since Saturday, Grand Cayman, home to about 45,000 people, has been
without electricity and water.
On Sunday evening Mrs. Uzzell told the Associated Press from her shelter
that .we.re fairly organized,. she said, noting she and family members and
friends, had weathered hurricanes before, .but we could all do with a
bath. It.s pretty primitive,. she said of their living conditions in the
building. .We.re using Evian to wash our hands and face,. she added.
The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory and help is on the way
from the United Kingdom, in the form of a Royal Navy ship, the HMS
Richmond, which is steaming toward Grand Cayman. It is understood that a
helicopter from that ship on Monday morning was overflying the devastated
island to assess the situation.
In the meantime, relief efforts are underway here in Houston by a group of
some 124 evacuees, many of whom are employees of Cayman-based Dart
Management Ltd., which chartered a Miami Air jet to airlift its employees
and their families to safety on Friday morning before the onslaught of
Ivan began.
Angel Rutty said her husband, Gary, said he was going out to look for
family members whom he had not been able to reach by phone during the
course of the storm. She said he was fearful that there would be
fatalities among the island.s population.
Ivan has left a string of scores of deaths in its terrible wake.
.It.s surreal,. Mrs. Uzzell said, .there.s island-wide devastation.. She
said the district of West Bay, on the northern tip of the western
peninsula of Grand Cayman, .can.t be reached..
It was .rumoured., she said, .that there are stories of looting, that guys
were caught at the hospital stealing food and batteries, and that Cable &
Wireless, one of the islands telecommunications carrier, was also looted.
On Saturday, it was reported that Cable & Wireless had acted in a most
.humanitarian. way, opening its doors to almost everyone who sought
shelter at its One Technology Square building, nearly completed, though
still under construction. Hundreds of people sheltered there in central
George Town.
.People all over the world are standing by with supplies to help Cayman as
soon as the island.s ready to receive it,. Dart Management.s Tina
McLaughlin said. She is assisting in coordinating relief efforts.



*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/

Ivan 10.doc

- Help is on the way!
  • From: "Suneita Bodden" <caymangirl82 AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:21:35 +0000
I am a caymanian who works for Cayman Airways here in Miami.  Everyone here is very concerned for the people of Cayman because we are hearing so many stories and cant get any offical news.  I have family remaining in Cayman and can not contact anyone so I can only imagine other people's concerns.  Just to let everyone know we here in Miami, are trying to put together some relief supplies to send for you all tomorrow morning.  We still do not have word when our flights will resume.  I guess it all depends on how quickly repairs are done.  Please keep in mind we all are praying for everyones safety.   


Suneita


Check out Election 2004 for up-to-date election news, plus voter tools and more!

- Cayman - widespread destruction (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:00:37 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:35:06 +0100
From: Christopher Gibson <chris@awnet.co.uk>
Subject: Cayman - widespread destruction

My sister Amanda Roberts called to say that her and her family (Adam,
Joe, Luisa and Will) were safe inside an office block in George Town,
despite part of the (hurricane proof) block collapsing at the height of
the storm. Less fortunate people are apparently being brought into the
building with no more than the soaking clothes they are wearing and
tales of braving out the storms on the roofs of their flooded houses for
many hours. They are doing what little they can to help the new
arrivals. All this is in stark contrast to the official government
statement that "the vast majority (of buildings) remain structurally
sound".


Christopher Gibson

chris@awnet.co.uk

GIF image


- Caymans: Been in Contact
  • From: harmonytrucking <harmonytrucking AT harbornet.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:49:06 -0700
I am writing from Tacoma Washington.  We have a daughter, Wendy Stafford, 
her husband Erik, an employee of the Morrit's and two grandchildren that 
are stranded on the island as we speak.
They have left the shelter that was in downtown Georgetown (pest control 
building) and have taken short term shelter at a close friends upper story 
apartment (Bobby Love).  My husband, Tom, has been in contact with The 
American Red Cross in Washington DC.  He was informed that they are 
presently going to known shelters on Grand Cayman looking for US Citizens 
wishing to evacuate.  We have been told that they will come to you if 
possible to get you if they know where you are.   I am trying to get the 
contact number out to Wendy and Erik Stafford and anyone else looking for 
help.  We talked to Allison at the Red Cross.  Her number is 
202-647-7310.  She will personally be by the phone until midnight 
tonight.  Wendy and Erik are on her list for evacuation, she just needs to 
know there location.  Erik may still be at the original location of the 
shelter in Georgetown.

Wendy said there is massive devastation.  Many people looking for food and 
water and crying out for help.  Looting has been going on in what is left 
of the streets.  I fear the situation will only get worse if they don't get 
some help soon.

I have been relying on this site to get most of the news about Grand 
Cayman.  Allison said they have been trying to contact their 
representatives on the island with no luck.  Seems like the major news 
agencies never seem to touch on the situation.  It has been very 
frustrating.  Thanks for keeping us informed.  We have been extremely 
worried and would like to see them evacuated out as per their wishes.

Please feel free to email me personally if you have any information.

Laraine Harmon
harmonytrucking@harbornet.com


- News of Treasure Island Condos
  • From: "Paul EASTABROOK" <paul AT silversea.fsbusiness.co.uk>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:31:48 +0100

NEWS from Treasure Island condos, West Bay Road.  We were just about to post a “help” message, but after about 30 hours of near news blackout from “official” sources  have just heard from our son Andrew Eastabrook and his friend Catherine who rent a 2nd floor Condo (No.218 I think) at this resort off the West Bay Road.

 

  They hunkered down in the bathroom, but in fact there was very little damage to the apartment. 1st floor was flooded and 3rd floor roof  (I think) was slightly damaged. They are both OK and at about 4.00 pm Cayman time, had no problem walking into George Town and charging their cell phone via a generator.

 

Hope this info helps to fill in the jigsaw for others.  We can now relax a little, but hope and pray that everyone else pulls through in the end. 

 

We only found this terrific website a few hours ago. Many thanks for a great job.  Can we recommend you in a consultancy capacity to our totally useless GB news channels!!!??


- Campbells - G. Town Information (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:48:25 -0400 (EDT)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:55:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Alison Sims
Subject: Campbells - G. Town Information

Just spoken to Laurel Hydes who works at Campbells Attorneys, George town.  
Laurel and family are all safe and accounted for - she has managed to get into 
George Town, the windows of Scotia Bank are blown out on the fourth floor, she 
has seen Elaine who works as secretary to Brendan Carr - Elaine said that Crows 
Nest has been blown away, as has the house next to it.  All employees of 
Campbells have been accounted for we believe.  Laurel has spoke to Bev Clark 
and family - they are all ok.  Barclays Bank building/First Caribbean Building 
appeard to hold out ok as well.  alisonsims@yahoo.com


- Re: Hurricane IVAN
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:47:45 -0400 (EDT)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:34:46 -0500
From: eileen green <eileengreen@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Hurricane IVAN

Thanks Gert for your reply.

Please note and link to our sites http://www.trader.ky and
http://www.buysell.ky.

We are now accepting messages in the VIEW ADS section and are carrying a
relief effort by the Trotuga Rum Company http://www.tortugarums.com. We
receive hits of over 150,000 per week and hope that this will assist with
getting the word out and any message over load that you may be experiencing.
We have linked to your site.

My wife, Eileen and children, Javier and Tyler, friend Derick Hunter are
with me in La Ceiba Honduras at the La Quinta hotel. Also here is another
Caymanian Kim Ramone. My son Wayne Green is running our web sites and can be
contacted at midastek@candw.ky.

Our hearts go out to all in Grand Cayman and abroad with interests in Cayman
at this time.

Could you please note this on you the stormcarib.com.


Kent Green.
Tradewinds Cayman Ltd
Trader-Buysell


- Cayman update 5pm EST
  • From: Caymancanuck AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 17:45:22 EDT
I had a 5 min call with my fiancee Stacey Nichols of Appleby Hunter where she is right now.
There is a meeting between govt leaders at business leaders at 6pm at Applebys to map out a plan of action.
Airport will open to light planes, not commercial traffic tomorrow.
Reports of looting along SMB especially for food/water, there is a 7pm curfew.
 
Scott Lennon

- Brazilian and Portuguese communities in Grand Cayman
  • From: Eduardo Silva <saibcayman AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:16:50 -0700 (PDT)
Contacts with the Brazilian and Portuguese residents who stayed in Cayman during the storm have thankfully found everyone in safety and health. Residents who left are now in Miami waiting for the chance to return and participate in the rebuilding effort. Contacts can be made with Eduardo D'Angelo at 305 458-5007.

__________________________________________________
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- Cayman Devastation
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 17:24:56 -0400 (EDT)


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 17:17:28 EDT
From: Skyhiprice@aol.com
Subject: Cayman Devastation

I'm writing from London, Ontario Canada......I talked at 2 pm Monday with my
daughter who lives and works in Cayman with her husband, daughter &
son-in-law. They rode out the storm with about 60 other people in the law 
office of
Appleby....Hunter (formerly Hunter & Hunter)....sheltered on the third floor 
from
Saturday noon but went to a basement shelter early Sunday morning during the
height of the storm. Today - Monday - they ventured out briefly to survey the
damage - total devastation everywhere. Their condo near 7 mile beach is
unlivable - no roof or windows.....their car is no where in sight.  The Hyatt is
GONE!  The roof over 170 people in a shelter in Bodden Town collapsed - no word
about casualties. The British are sending in army personel to help. Marshal Law
is in effect, meaning looters will be shot on sight. The airport is under
several feet of water. Drinking water is being rationed but they still have 
canned
food. There is no running water or electricity. Their generator broke down
but they hope to have it fixed shortly. The air is very hot and oppressive. They
anticipate staying at the law firm for weeks ahead.

Their former condo - moved in June - at "Mariners Cove" on the south shore is
gone - only the cement pad left. That main road along the shore is impassable
so they are unable to determine the condition of their daughter and
son-in-law's house in Bodden Town.

We are thankful to God that they are alive.....they need much wisdom to guide
them in the days ahead.

Thank you Gert for this opportunity to help - wish we could do more!

Pat Price


PS... Official reports say that there are no casualties reported or that
looting is going on (see message below).  -Gert


- Cayman News
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 17:20:41 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:08:17 -0500
From: Paul Tyler <paul@athenausa.com>
Subject: Cayman New

Hello Gert



I have heard that Newlands was very flooded and under about a foot of water,
our house there is damaged but standing. Northward was hit but my sister and
the houses around hers were not damaged too badly. Spoke to Simon Boxall and
he was staying at Caledonia Bank, they have emergency power and all was
well, his wife Melissa and Baby went to Miami. He did not have much time to
talk but did say he had excellent digital footage of the storm and after
effects.



Mariner's Cove was indeed destroyed and is blocking traffic from Savannah to
George Town, lot of cars flooded, washed away. Cayman Airways is not taking
reservations and said they do not know when they will be back in commercial
service; however it looks like they will only be taking Caymanians and
residents back at first. Simon told me to bring generators when I come down
as they will be needed, CUC mentioned that they will have power back up in
George Town shortly but no idea for the other districts.



Lot of damage but a lot of happy worn out survivors so far. Will post more
as I know more.



Cheers



Paul Tyler

Athena USA

http://www.athenausa.com





- Cayman Net News update:
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 17:05:41 -0400 (EDT)
Cayman Islands Government Press Release
Monday, September 13, 2004

The Government of the Cayman Islands issued a press release as of 2 pm EDT
on Monday, which reports that, at this moment in time, Hurricane Ivan has
caused no reported casualties in the Cayman Islands.

Read more at: http://www.caymannetnews.com/2004/09/738/release.shtml

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Community College
  • From: "Jan Westmaas" <janwest AT tstt.net.tt>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:44:53 -0400
Although the College has been damaged, all who were sheltering there are safe as of Monday morning.
Thank you, Gert, for this wonderful service.
May God be with the Caymanian people and with Cuba, which is now experiencing the first onslaught of this terrible storm
Christine.

- Heard from Individuals from Grand Cayman
  • From: "Heather Bubb-Clarke" <eddabub AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:44:42 -0400
Pat (nee Forbes) Wilson phoned Canada around 2:00PM today by cellular to state both Wallace and herself are safe. Their house on Smith Road lost it's roof and the contents a total lost. Took refuge in the car on the carport. Now staying with their neighbours.
 
Stuctie, Jim and Breanne Gill from Seven Mile Strip are all ok.
 
 
 

- St Matthews students
  • From: "Gary Sweny" <gymtime AT charter.net>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:32:23 -0500
More info for St. Matthews students can be found at www.stmatthews.edu There is a forum message board that is updated frequently regarding students that stayed on the island that are safe.  Coconut Bay, Georgetown, Papagallo are some that have been posted. I was able to find that my daughter is safe in Coconut Bay, which was a great relief since I have not had any contact with her directly since 12:30pm Sunday.

- St.Matthew's University
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:48:23 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:10:21 -0500
From: J.M.
Subject: Cayman

in response to the call for St. Matthews students post.  The V.P. of St. 
Matthews has posted his response on the St. Matthews University Website.  Look 
under the hurricane news and then there is a section with a Hurricane Forum.  
He states that there is flood damage to the first floor of the dorm and the 
campus.  He says that all students are ok.  Plans are being made to evaluate 
whether school will continue in Cayman or in the U.S.  More info on the main 
website.  Thanks.  Good to hear all are ok.

J.M.


Find the website at: http://www.stmatthews.edu/hurricane.html -Gert


- Heard from Wallace & Pat(nee Forbes) Wilson
  • From: "Heather Bubb-Clarke" <eddabub AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:22:15 -0400
Both Wallace and Pat are safe.  Their home on Smith Road has lost it's roof. Contents of their home destroyed.
 
Stuctie, Jim and Breanne Gill  are all safe.

- ANY INFORMATION....
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:37:46 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 13:19:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Stacy Parke
Subject: ANY INFORMATION....

I work in the Cayman Islands at a law office in GT, I am on vacation in NY. I 
am very interested in damage reports for the Tropical Gardens Area esp. Xystral 
Village. Please let me know.

I just spoke to a friend in Cayman who works with Cable & Wireless and he said 
the damage done to the island is bad. He said, it doesn't seem like a tree is 
standing. Ocean Club and Mariners Cove has extensive damage.
His indidcated he was at the Cable & Wirelss office during the hurricane and 
his car in the parking lot was compltely covered. They are trying to repair the 
aiport now, so that flights can begin to bring in relief.
I was due to return today and I am trying to decide when to return. He 
suggested I stay away until next week because things are so bad.

Cayman is such a beautiful place, I cannot believe this, Part of me wants to 
return right away and part of me want to stay where I am safe and have running 
water etc. Although I am sure my car is floating somewhere on Tropical cars 
road....those things can be replace.
I just hope and pray everyone is safe.

SJoanneP

p.s dont post my email address


---------------------------------
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- Re: Infor for Ivan, Grand Cayman posting - further info (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:31:54 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 13:05:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: Alison Sims
Subject: Re: Infor for Ivan, Grand Cayman posting - further info

some further information:-

Colin Moncrieff from Treasure Island/Andros is ok, heard he spent the time in 
one of the shelters.  Spoke to Big Jim Shivers at Treasure Island on Saturday 
and briefly this morning, on Saturday he was still in his condo, windows were 
leaking but roof still on, Shane Connolly of Hadsphaltic, I spoke to him this 
morning, he was trying to get to his work to get oneof the JCB's to start 
clearing roads, Heard from Cliff Bodden, Dale Dickerson is off Island Companies 
and is trying to get back.  Still trying to get hold of Matthew Gallagher and 
Marina, I heard they were staying put at Regal Beach during the hurricane.  
Again, any news of Laura and Fearghal, please e-mail me at alisonsims@yahoo.com


- Fortiss Bank
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:29:14 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:16:05 -0600
From: Don & Karen
To: Gert van Dijken <gert@vandijken.com>
Subject: Re: Family

Gert
Aaron and Jaime made a very brief call on the one phone they found that was
working (I don't know where it was) and said they were fine and  the
building (Fortiss Bank) was OK. They have lots of food and water and are
anxious to come home. I don't think they knew much about damage etc other
places. They kept their call very brief as others were wanting to use the
phone. If I hear more I will let you know.
Karen


- A Call From St Matthew's Students (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:00:47 -0400 (EDT)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 12:59:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kenneth Fimple
Subject: A Call From St Matthew's Students


I Just received a call from Becky Ugbaja, Roy and one other St. Matthew's 
student.  They are fine and able to get calls out to the states occasionally.  
They have driven the length of Seven Mile Beach (don't ask me how) and they say 
the island is unrecognizable.  Treasure Island Resort is badly damaged and 
Mezza Restaurant is gone.  They are in good spirits and unharmed but expressed 
shock and disbelief.  Many of us at St. Matthew's left but I know of several 
that stayed.  I am concerned about Bill Lemley.  Last I heard he was alone in 
his place at Oceanside Plantation.  If any one knows anything about any 
students that stayed on the island, or if anyone hears from Dr's Heller, Green 
or Smith please post a notice on stormcarib.com.  Also,  I spoke with Winny 
Roberson Sunday about 3am and she was fine and staying at Treasure Island; I 
have read reports that everyone at the resort was alive and well.



- searching for son and fiance
  • From: "v mcquillan" <v.mcquilan1 AT ntlworld.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 20:42:23 +0100
Hi to you in Cayman
Hope you are all o.k.
I had a brief call from son Wayne Jones at 1.40 pm our time to say he was safe and had just been rescued from home Paxton street off Smith Road George Town.  We don't know where he and his fiance Nathalie O'Connor are staying Nathalie is manager at Hard Rock and Wayne works for Island Taste.
 
Can anybody help to locate them? their cell phone battery is dead.
 
What are the conditions like there what is happening?  All the landlines are down so we have no contact
 
We in the U K are praying for you all
Please reply if you have any info
Thanks so much
Val xxx
 

- Lower Valley
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:42:50 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:35:31 -0500
From: "Tatum, Tami" <TamiT@nrh-ok.com>

I have news from the home of Charlie and Jackie Watler that all are okay
but the roof was lifted off the house.  I believe the house is on the west
side of Lower Valley near Savannah on the north side of the road.  Frank
and Carol Lanza were there and are okay also.  I assume the Watler's
daughter Judy, son Peter and his wife were there also but the call was
brief.  Any news on the family of Eddie Powell? Tami Tatum



- Indies Suites Grand Cayman
  • From: "brac vacations" <bracvacations AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:31:09 -0400
I would like to advise that all guest at Indies Suites are safe .
Brac Vacations
bracvacations@yahoo.com
ph- 1-866-843-2722
Fax 1-305-247-7173

- Infor for Ivan, Grand Cayman posting
  • From: Alison Sims <alisonsims AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 12:29:03 -0700 (PDT)
Spoken to Tom Shropshire this a.m., Cayman Aggressor Captain, he & his room mate Cathy are ok - Harbour Hse Marina has reports of extensive damage, one boat left, major structural damage along South Sound, waves still coming over G.Town Harbour.Trying to contact Laura Dennis & Fearghal O'Riordan, they were sheltering at Marsh, in the Barclays Building, if you heard or seen them, please mail me at alisonsims@yahoo.com.  Spoke to the Webb family, they were sheltering at Brittania, all were ok, lots of flooding there, cars floating past.  If anyone knows of how the Cayman Club is doing on west bay road (opposite Cafe Med), pls mail me alisonsims@yahoo.com we have a condo their on the first floor..  Bev and Steve Clark, if you read this, i've spoken to Paula, hope the family is ok. Thoughts & prayers are with you all.  Ali Sims & F! amily, London
 
 
if this could get posted, that would be great.  many thanks for your assistance. 


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- Found safe
  • From: "Jack North" <augsbury AT cit-tele.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:22:49 -0400
The following persons have been heard from and are safe:
 
Gus and Kelly Campanario in  pvt. home in Spotts
Julie (Fulton) Woods
Kirk, Jennifer, and Noah McCarthy In West Bay
Sean & Trish Cain and family moved from Bed/World Gym
Joan Gray at a friend's house and dry
Staff and families and patients that stayed at Chrissie Tomlinson Hospital through the storm - all safe and well
C & W Staff and families at C&W Technology Square building all safe
Respectfully submitted, Cyndi Augsbury, Hammond NY

- Butterfield Bank Update Following Hurricane Ivan's Impact On TheCayman Islands
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:36:36 -0400 (EDT)
Butterfield Bank update following Hurricane Ivan.s impact on the Cayman
Islands

.       Cayman Islands clients being serviced from other locations
.       Intermittent communication and extensive flooding mean full impact
not known

Hamilton, Bermuda . 13 September, 2004: Following the impact of Hurricane
Ivan on the Cayman Islands yesterday, Butterfield Bank today was working
through intermittent communication with its staff to assess the damage and
ensure employees were safe.

A leading financial institution in the Cayman Islands, Butterfield Bank
provides a comprehensive range of services to the local and international
markets from its Cayman location.

.We have been closely monitoring Hurricane Ivan, and from a business
perspective we were prepared,. noted Butterfield Bank.s holding company
Chief Executive Officer, Alan Thompson.  .It is too early to know how all
our locations have fared, with many roads impassable and communications
still intermittent.  Our Head Office in Cayman has lost part of its roof,
but along with our other branch in the capital, has weathered the storm.

.However, our concerns remain for the residents of Cayman and especially
our employees and their families.  This has been a devastating storm and
it will take a few days before the true extent of the damage will be
known..

.For any of our Cayman clients who need us, we are able to service them
from our other locations until we are able to open for business again,.
stated Mr. Thompson.  .Our business continuity plans were activated ahead
of time to ensure there will be minimal business disruption..

Cayman clients who must undertake business as a matter of urgency may
contact Dianne Brewer on (441) 299-3979, or Nancy Pitman on (441) 298
4850, or e-mail infocayman@bntb.bm or philturnbull@bntb.bm. Updates on
Butterfield Bank.s Cayman service will be provided on our website at
www.butterfieldbank.bm.

See also attached Word document

13 Sept FINAL - Press Release - Hurricane Ivan's impact on Cayman.doc

- Update
  • From: "Colette AT journeypacific.com" <colette AT journeypacific.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:22:06 -0400
I have just heard from my sister Dawn Sansom who spent the night in Ugland House. She is fine but her house on the banks of the Hyatt Canal (where the boat for rum point leaves from) is destroyed. The water came in and flooded it. It left marks 5 feet up the wall. Nothing is salvageable. She has lost all her belongings. I am just so relieved that she is OK.
 
Hope you all manage to get in touch with your loved ones soon and they have had it better than Dawn.

- West Bay GCM (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:31:24 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:16:25 -0400
From: Jack North <augsbury@cit-tele.com>
Subject: West Bay GCM

Have just heard from a West Bay man that he was able to drive from WB to
Chrissie Tomlinson Hospital.  Took 2-1/2 hours.  Does not suggest anyone
attempt driving yet.  Reports much of WB homes destroyed.  All trees gone.
bWent thru part of Gov. Harbor and said water receeding quickly.
Reported all power lines completely gone between WB & GT.  Reports CUC
main building "gone".  Person in hospital at Tomlinson reports hallways
jammed with slightly injured people awaiting stitches etc. many
non-threating cuts/bruises.  Generators working at Tomlinson Hospital, but
Operating Room non-functional at this time.  Staff & Families at Tomlinson
all safe, inpatients all safe.  Running out of food there.


- Cayman
  • From: "Lauren Bush" <missmainegal AT hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:08:06 -0500
Hi,

This is Lauren Bush, a Caymanian who is currently away at school in the U.S. 
I have been lucky to get a few reports that some of my family is alive, 
unfortunately I have not been able to hear from them all. Because of this, I 
have engaged another method to try and locate them a little faster and I 
thought I should share this option with everyone else who is worried sick 
about their family. The Red Cross Disaster Service can help you locate your 
family and friends in Cayman. To get the ball rolling on this you have to do 
the following:
1.) Get the number for your LOCAL Red Cross Disaster Service.
2.)Call them and explain that you are trying to track down loved-ones in 
Cayman.
3.) Give them the details of each person you are looking for (phone numbers, 
street address, and location where they were staying etc.)
4.) They will explain how they will be searching etc.

Obviously, because communications are down, this will not happen 
immediately, but the Red Cross will be ONE OF THE FIRST SERVICES TO GET 
COMMUNICATIONS BACK. This will put you a little ahead of the game. I hope 
this info can help at least a few people. I have already called them and I 
have them searching for my dad, brothers and my beloved friend Margo 
Hurlstone. If anyone has heard anything about Margo, please e-mail me at 
missmainegal@hotmail.com. She is nine months pregnant and the last 
communication with her revealed that she was locked in a bathroom at the 
JGHS because the roof had just blown off.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL and lets continue to keep each other posted (via this 
website) as we have been doing. Thank you Gert for doing this!!!! This is 
one of the only "windows" to Cayman at the moment.

Lauren Bush

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* 
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail


- Update
  • From: John Macdonald <jjmac AT twcny.rr.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:07:15 -0400
Just had a Text Message from Thom Guyton who lives in Omega Bay.  They 
are fine and their house made it through ok.
Julie Loyd


- Re: Holiday Inn, Seven Mile Beach???? (fwd)
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:01:18 -0400 (EDT)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 11:57:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: Fiona Maclennan
Subject: Re: Holiday Inn, Seven Mile Beach????

We have just had a call from our family (Jimmy, Sarah and Lola Squire) 
sheltering at the Holiday Inn, Seven Mile Beach.  Thankfully they are all okay. 
 Just to inform you, we know that most of the group, if not all, from Little 
Cayman (including Jen, from Guildford, UK) were also sheltering there so would 
like to inform relatives they should all be okay.  However, devastation is 
reported all around them.  Thanks for your prompt reply.  Our thoughts are with 
everyone in Cayman at this time.  Fiona Maclennan.




- Cayman
  • From: "Thompson, Charles E" <Charles.E.Thompson AT gs.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:51:20 -0400
Title: Cayman

Received word that Thompson's are OK (Chuck & Paula, Bobby & Janet, kids) and all at Fortis/Grand Pavilion. Bobby walked from Grand Pavilion on West Bay road to his house in South Sound, near Pure Art (Point Four sub-division). Things seem OK over there as far as both flooding and damage. Norberg and Mary Thompson's house seems OK for now.

Charlie Thompson, based in NJ


- Cayman NetNews
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:55:18 -0400 (EDT)

New update on Cayman NetNews:

The Cayman Islands National Hurricane Committee (NHC) said there have
been no reports of any deaths as a result of Hurricane Ivan!

http://www.caymannetnews.com/2004/09/738/situation.shtml

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert@vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


- Report from the Shores in West Bay
  • From: Jajseals AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:27:50 EDT
Just received word from the Burke's, Barrell's, Gorter's, and the 
Campbell's...All are ok but much damage to area. Info received by text message 
from Troy 
Burke. No phone contact as of yet.

Kirk Campbell


- Mariners cove
  • From: "Heidi A. Klischuk" <koolklischuk AT yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 11:26:36 -0700 (PDT)
Hello Gert:
Thank you for updating us on the status of Grand
Cayman, we have loved ones who are there and have been
in contact with them 10 minutes ago.  C&W phones seem
to be working better than AT&T

Most of the homes on South Sound road are completely
destroyed and everything that was on the first floor
is gone, washed out and away.

It should be noted that the roads from West Bay to GT
are passable and the water is going down quickly. 

Heidi Menkes
281 326 5381


- Update from within Cayman 2pm EST
  • From: Diana Miller <dianamiller17 AT yahoo.co.uk>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:24:52 +0100 (BST)
This information was gathered by cellular phone contact with Chris Hew who was driving around some parts of George Town. Unconfirmed reports are as follows:
No news from East End
Debris from Mariners Cove blocking roadway east
No news from West Bay
His place at Sunrise he had to swim to this morning
Water seems to have receded in some parts now but waves still pound
He thinks that either a storm surge or tidal wave caused the island to be completely cut in two in the vicinity of the Hurleys' supermarket at the jcn of South Sound and Crewe Road
Many reports of people spending the night on countertops, roofs, attics etc but many are now walking on solid ground again as waters receded
It seems that many have survived safely and in amazing spirits considering
Reports that it may take a month to restore power
The airport is meant to open in 2 days
He indicated a need for manpower to assist, doubted that businesses will be able to open and a concerted relief effort for basic supplies will be needed. He reported very busy at the hospital (suspect George town)
Pasadora Place roof torn off
Almost every structure he could see had taken damage to some extent in the vicinity of his drive
People had already started the tidy up holding up amazing spirits and resilience
Graham Hampson in Ft. Lauderdale  


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