Rain closes schools Tuesday
(CNS): Updated with private school information — All government primary and secondary schools on Grand Cayman will be closed Tuesday due to severe flooding. However, students sitting their CXC History examination at CHHS and John Gray are to report to the John Gray High School Hall tomorrow as planned. Cayman Brac schools will remain open. Many private schools are also closed today and while UCCI remains open ICCI is closed and reviewing this evenings' classes. Police have confirmed that Agnes Way is closed in George Town. More than eight inches of rain fell on Grand Cayman on the Discovery Day holiday and further heavy rains were forecast for Tuesday. The Red Cross Shelter is open for residents flooded out in need of temporary shelter.
Private school closures include Cayman Prep and HighSchool (except for students taking external exams), Hope Academy, Grace Christian Academy, First Baptist School, Cayman International School, Montessori By The Sea, Miss Nadine's and Triple C School. Private schools and nurseries not listed may also be closed. Parents are encouraged to check with their respective schools for further details. Unless otherwise advised, private schools are expected to re-open on Wednesday, 23 May, according to the Private School Association.
The Department of Children and Family Services said some families from the George Town area have been forced to leave their homes due to the flooding. The Red Cross Shelter is open for any other residents who may be experiencing similar issues. Anyone intending to stay at the shelter is encouraged to bring food, a sleeping bag and personal items, such as medications and toiletries. For further information contact Lynda Mitchell on 925 5346
Weather services issued a small craft warning as weather forecasters called for further rain and flooding in low lying areas.
Officials said the NRA was working to clear drains and free roadways flooded from the heavy rain and the public was asked to exercise caution when driving.
The heavy downpour came on the public holiday, usually marked as a day of national preparedness ahead of the start of the hurricane season, and showed how inclement weather can cause hazards at any time.
The persistent rain made driving conditions treacherous as main roads across Grand Cayman were covered with deep surface water. Flights into Grand Cayman were impacted Monday as a result of low visibility, with delays expected.
The Humane Society issued an SOS for volunteers and foster homes for the dogs and cats, as well as sandbags in the face of severe flooding at the kennels.
Category: Science and Nature
All my work, and this is the result?
I do agree with those who have stated that the school closure was very inconvenient however, parents should always have a contingency plan for their children in case situations such as these occur, not just when a hurricane is coming that you need to have a plan or a medical emergency,especially being that this is not the first time in Cayman’s history that school’s have been closed due to rain and I highly doubt it will be the first and last time either as long as their children will be in school. When I was in school, it didn’t matter how many times the school maintenance people or public works came to clear the drains before the rainy months, there was always too much water for the drains to handle and they would get clogged with debris especially when experiencing very heavy rains like we’ve had these last couple of days.
An to Another Anon:7:05, alot of children will not get sick from the water of course, but what is in it might do it for them. After lots of rain unfortunately, there are usually outbreaks of ringworm, impetigo and cold and flu especially when there is so much stagnant or even flowing dirty water flowing around full of germs, bacteria and pollutants and allergens which can cause illness and severe allergic reaction in some children with weaker immune systems and then the illness spreads. It’s just as bad yet for children with Asthma, sinus and other lung conditions or other health problems as a whole. Just a change in weather alone can have them out of school trying to recover or hospitalized as I was when I was in school. So your children may be strong and healthy no matter rain or shine, some aren’t so fortunate. So please keep that in mind at all times. Everyone else’s circumstances may not be like yours.
According to CNS the forecasters are CALLING for more rain. Either that's a case of an empty cistern at weather headquarters OR a dreadful use of the English language. I'm sure you really meant that forecasters were WARNING of more rain?
Also, don't worry about the parents of these kids working, it seemed that they all descended on GT hospital to get signed off and avoid going to work instead. And they moan about unemployment.
ICCI's evening classes are canceled. Students should check their email as a detailed note has been sent from the dean.
Parents who are unable to make arrangements for a caretaker for their child/ren in such situations should also be permitted to stay home with their child/ren without loss of pay.
What a good idea. I can guarantee it will not be embraced by the business community, however, as it would involve having a heart, which the business community, as a whole, has not got.
Take it out of your annual vacation entitlement like the rest of the civilised world. Just another ploy to scam free money for doing zero in return.
Give me abreak some of you cold hearted bloggers. Why blame Gvt.for this. FYI there are many children and adullts in low lying areas. They have to walk to the bus and get soaked before they reach school. Then their clothes will dry on them. Same scenario after school. That’s HOW you get sick. Those who think nothing of it move to Alaska. Get with the program here and stop blaming Tom, Dick and Harry for everything and learn to have compassion and pure common sense.
Clearly this was truly exceptional rainfall, absent a full blown Tropical Storm, but, the flooding at the Western end of the island must, to a considerable degree, demonstrate the extent to which the areas of ” hard ” surfaces continue to grow, areas which invariably are higher than the roads to which they are adjacent. What used to be a considerable areas of undeveloped land on the fringes of George Town which could absorb, or slow the movement of surface water, are now shopping plazas, office buildings, car parks etc, and there is no way that the deep well drainage systems can possibly cope with the huge and torrential run-off from these paved surfaces. It is doubtful if anything could be done to alleviate the problem at this stage, and we just have to learn to cope on the odd occasions of this sort of rainfall.
Does anyone have Gods or mother natures cell number or maybe text and blame them!! Some of you people are ridiculous! A school or teachers is not a children/baby sitter shelter. Its what intelligent people call an education.
Seriously? It is a bit of rain, not the plague we are dealing with here. And look, its all gone away today……… miraculous.
Be Dam if he do and be dam if he dont there will always be someone to complain about some thing . The Education Dept isnt responsiable for your Child/Children you 're as the parents.
What about levels of, er, literacy?
This is so funny. Do local children melt if they come into contact with rain water?
It rained hard enough to wash away the budget surplus that McKeeva had last week.
Someone makes this rash decision to close all government schools but you have single parents who have no where to send their children and they have to go to work. I cannottake them to work with me, if I leave them home alone I am being an irresponsible parent, if I take them to the library and leave them, I am being irresponsible so the next time the minister or whomever decides to make unplanned school closures, make sure you have an alternate place for the children to go to as well.
Poor you…. You have children, it is YOUR responsibility to have plans for instances such as this, not the Government's.
Single parent family? If so, tough, should have thought about that.
its the only place on the planet where the people hold their government accountable for everything…even weather! Get out from under the hand of the "Nanny State" and look after yourselvs.
No one is holding the government responsible for the weather. However, their reporting / forecastng is pathetic. And, unfortunately, they decide whether instutions close or not.
its the great ci civil service!…what do you expect?
Freedom Man, if they are getting 10,000 dollars a month. I say "Yes" hold them accountable for it. What do they think it is a free ride. They are getting more pay than the Prime minister of Jamaica or Badados as anMLA who do they think they are. Yes they should be held responsible or come out of the LA.
According to the Compass, the decision to close public schools was announced by the Minister of Education – naturally as he is THE education authority in the Cayman Islands these days. Not only does he set policy but he and his politburo ministry make all operational decisions as well. I am sure that shcools in East End, North Side, Boddent Town, Savannah, Red Bay, Prospect were not flooded today.
It will be intersting to see who gets blamed tomorrow when this decision turns out to be absolutely unjustified.
How some private schools located higer grounds i.e FBCS, Triple C, Cayman Prep were allowed to close. Who REGULATE these schools? Just because the govt. schools are closed they should not be allowed to close as they wish. People are paying very high fees to send their kids to these schools.
As a parent of a private school child, I agree! I'm furious with my PTA for following suit and making me stay home and lose a day of work.
These are puddles people….not CAT 3 hurricane. No reason the schools should have closed. If you were flooded, then stay home, take care of your home and take a sick day, but CI Govt no more snow days please.
My private shcool is going to hear heck for following Govt schools….
I suppose government workers will get the day off too. Then again, practically speaking, why should tomorrow be different that almost every other day. It's rain, people. No cause for alarm. Just drive a little slower and put on those things called wipers and you'll be ok. And if you get a little wet, don't worry – it will dry. And no, there's no acid in the rain that will make you melt. Good grief – the people here have gone soft.
As someone who has worked for Government for over eight years and missed a total of four days, due to illness, I find your comments not only offensive but stupid.
I don't know if you are from here or not, but I am sure you will say you are as it is easy to claim anything when anonymous, but you are arrogant and have a chip on your shoulder. If I didn't have to get ready for work this morning, I would list the many usual personalities that many like you are suffering from.
Thank you hypocritically ananoymous government exception to the rule!!!
Please don't codemn anonymous posts when you are not prepared to put your own name in print…..
I guess it is the majority of the lazy who give the few hard workers a bad reputation…..I applaud your hard work ethic, but as far as government is concerned, you appear to be in the minority. As outsiders, those who do not work in Government but have to use their services, we find phones unanswered, messages not returned,shoddy service, errors which cost us time and money, the list goes on. We know a few people are working hard, but everyone else?
'FROM HERE OR NOT', Yet another opportunity to blame an expat, now who's stupid?
I sure do hope we get a day off, because I sure as hell not patrolling around your wet yard with no overtime pay! You complain about government giving its worker too much perks, ok then, the next burglar alarm that comes from your house, means its time for me to park my car and take a long nap!
You mean you're awake, hallelujah, progress at last.
Now what am I to do with my kids? This is highly inconvenient. Rain should not be the reason to close schools. This is absurd. I am going to complain about this!
I have three children. If they sick, they will have to miss a number of days from school in order to get better. So I am relieved that they declared 1 day off to prevent them from getting sick. Children do get sick you know, does yours? :))
Oh please! People do not get sick from rain. They get sick from germs.
??????????????????????????
They get sick from both and other causes upon that.
once again I wonder about you people….
I don't know, but you must have children of IRON, because mine do get sick, due to the moister and dampness which comes after the rain. And germs? Hello! There are more things than mere germs that can make a child ill.
Now you tell us!!!
Oh puhleez, It's cooties what makes em sick!
Is rain catching?
The only thing they get from NOT going to school is the bottom of lifes ladder.
Not unless they drink it, Ha Ha!!
Therein lies the problem with Cayman. People like you expect the government to mind your children for free 99% of the year and when they call on you to do it just for one day for everybodys safety, you make accusations, complain and demand that they find a place for your children.
Stop making excuses the government should have to pay to raise your children. Call a friend, neighbor, grandparent, your baby daddy, whomever. Ask for help from someone else and let's stop this social welfare state that we are fast becoming.
well unless you want your children coming home from school with their school clothes wet up till their knees…
????????
sometimes I wonder about you people.
Ah shame, they won't melt you know and it is 82 degrees out there. How does the rest of the world survive in frost, frozen rain, snow AND HEAVY RAIN?
Yes, indeed. Phone the Education Department and ask to speak to the Chief Education Officer. You will be put through immediately and receive a personal response.
For anyone who needs it, where is the Red Cross Shelter?
CNS Note: 34 Huldah Avenue, George Town, opposite the cricket pitch
Stay tuned to the local media? They tell us about it after it's happened. No new news on weekends or holidays!
According to the Severe Weather Bulletin, 3 – 4 inches, with a maxium of 8 inches of rain is expected over the next 24 hours. I question the correctness of "more than 8 inches of rain fell across Grand Cayman on the Discovery Day holiday" as stated in the article.
CNS: The rain fall was confirmed by an official from the National Weather Service.
You might ask them where they got the number since most of their rain gauges are broken.
I’ll send my child care bill to the Education Department then.
To all intents and purposes Alden got rid of it. But good luck anyway!
That's right. Charge government for having the nerve to close schools, because weather conditions and perhaps building conditions aren't safe enough for your children to attend school. I could make a comment about your common sense, but I'd rather encourage you to actually think, instead of saying something that will only make you feel bad and angry. Greater good.
I'm sorry but school is not child care.That would be day care or get a nanny. What happens when your child is sick? Who takes care of your children, then?
We not only have a weather website, but a 24hour local weather channel!!! Couldn't just one of them have been updated!!!!! Hellooooooo………….what are we paying for????? This is absolutely ridiculous! Hate to see how "prepared" we will be during a Storm/Hurricane! Lord help us all.
What about work? They didn't say Parents could stay home also.
Hey Dude I woke up today and thought the Island was sinking. I guess I need to move to higher ground and quit drinkin.
Yoo jest writ a pome!
Pete, is that you?
No
Has anyone seen my umbrella?
Is it still raining?
The Cayman Islands Government's National Weather Service website says there is (only) an 80% chance of showers today (monday). On its 5 day forecast page it contradicts itself by saying there's only a 60% chance of showers today (monday). Tell that to every soaked and flooded resident. Pathetic.There is no mention of a severe weather warning on their website. Just a bland comment how some showers 'maybe' locally heavy.
Government employs not one not two but a whole Dept of full time weather forecasters. And this is the best they can do! WHY WASNT A WARNING SENT OUT SATURDAY AND WHY WAS THE WEBSITE NOT UPDATED? Sack the lot of them
I agree….when was this bulletin released because there was nothing about it on any news service nor twitter account in the country!!!
just keep checking weststar's "weather channel" on ch 24 where it's always sunny and 86
ahhhhh…. i feel so peaceful by your words …. just need a f.cking bucket to bail out 75 feet of fu.king water!!!!!! I even called the f.cking po-po and no one is answering the damm phone!!!!! [was i swearing?]
You're missing the point. The CI Government / civil service does not employ people to provide public services. It employs them to provide employment.
How ignorant can you get. It seems no matter where you go in the world peple are running down their Public Servants. Yet they cant do without them.
i bet we can do without alot of them…
Big fat paycheques and no accountability. Yup, CI Govt. all the way….Their alert and communications are pathetic!
Why are you blaming the government for the weather? Some of you posters on this website need to get real.
We are sure as hell blaming all of them, and not for the weather. We are blaming them for unfulfilled promises. So give us one reason why we should VOTE ONE MAN VOTE. iF WE CANNOT FIND THREE OF THEM NOW, How the hell are we going to find ONE.
Hey, here is a thought….why not work with both telephone companies to send out text alerts and the radio stations can work with Govt too.
don't look up ONE weather forecast on website!! I knew it will be flooding as I did research on least 3 different forecast not cayman government website.
I knew it would be flooding when I looked outside and saw the rain.
Don't blame the employees, they were told to follow the LEADER. Wait until there's a crisis and then do something about it. The word "PROACTIVE" is not in the lexicon / vocabulary of our leadership.
Has everyone forgotten Cayman never got a Category 5 hurricane either!!!!
06:57 So under which rock was you when Ivan passed that was more than a category 5 more like 6 no one knows.
ok Got it … LETS SACK THEM AND THE LEADER!