HMCI plans Ivan anniversary symposium
(CNS): Alongside exhibitions, TV shows, church services and other events, Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) will be hosting a free public symposium on 10 and 11 September to mark the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan and the country’s survival and rapid recovery from the devastating storm. Local officials and private sector representatives who played key roles during the storm and its aftermath will be speaking alongside international guests. Hurricane preparedness, forecasting then and now, economic consequences of hurricanes, and business continuity and the lessons learned from Ivan will be at the centre of the two day seminar.
International guests include representatives from the United States National Hurricane Centre, the Caribbean Disaster Management Agency, the Insurance Association of the Caribbean. Winston Garraway, a senator from Grenada, which was one of the Caribbean countries to be worst hit by Ivan, will also address the conference. Members of the public are invited to attend the free sessions and will be able to submit questions via social media.
Alongside the symposium a month of activities in September is planned by various organisations to remember the worst hurricane in the islands since 1932 which struck Grand Cayman 10 years ago. The storm’s devastating impact will be on display on 6 September, when the National Gallery opens a month-long photography show titled “Ivan Remembered”. The Gallery has also planned a number of educational activities based on the exhibition which will continue throughout the month.
HMCI is also planning an exhibition on the post- Ivan recovery with pictures from all districts following the storm, alongside pictures from 2014 showing how things have changed. This will be located in the George Town public library for the first two weeks of the month—where it is expected to reach a large youth audience. It will then move to Government Administration Building for the remainder of September.
On Saturday 6 September and Sunday 7 September, churches have been invited to mark the anniversary with community lunches, and to share disaster preparedness literature with their congregations. Among those churches to have already agreed to take part are Elmslie, South Sound and Robert Young United Churches, as well as Boatswain Bay Presbyterian Church.
Cayman Islands Government TV will also produce a documentary on the storm to air on 11 September on Westar channel 20 and Logic channel 23. Meanwhile, Cayman27 will re-air “36 Hours”, a 2005 documentary on Hurricane Ivan. Caribbean Utilities Company is also working a documentary on its response to the aftermath of the hurricane to be aired on also on Cayman 27 on 12 September at 7.30pm.
Category: Science and Nature
Why? Why at an expensive hotel? How much is this jolly costing?
Will there be a section on the barring of world press and the misinformation campaign about the extent of the damage?
One person in particular comes to mind during the Aftermath of Ivan and that is Dave Neilson Manager of Cox Lumber. That man was mostly the reason for the rapid fix up after the Hurricane. I personally know that he worked day and night and so very efficiently in identifying those that needed assistance. Of course it was that generous Cayman Bracer that perhaps gave more than any other to rebuild and that was Daves Boss the Late Linton Tibbetts. I have always wandered if he was one of tose that even got a reward at the reward ceremony. He is the type of man that that Status should be offered to. Then we have another employee of Cox Lumber who is also a Fireman that worked tireless in helping to see that so many folks was fed with his most delicious meals that he prepared at the Fire Station. That gentleman is no other than Chad from the Fire Department. Firemen, Public Works Staff, the Hurricane Committee and alot of the general Public was fed from his cooking at the Fire Station. We can never forget these two men.
Hopefully the EY report will have something sensible to say about this non activity based department HMCI with its highly paid boss and staff. It would be wonderful to see what each of them does hour by hour, day by day, year by year. Very little. How can they? Nothing to do.
Can we leave the church out please. They have done enough damage already.
May His countenance never leave you.
Where is the free public symposium?
It is at the Westin.
September 10th and 11th (9 am to 4.30 pm)