Report and pictures from the Brac: Ivan was terrible

Houses moved by the fury of Ivan

Roadway - South Side, Cayman Brac

Looking west - South Side, Cayman Brac

House destroyed South Side, Cayman Brac

Aunt Sha's is history

Story and pictures by Linda M. Stritzinger
reporting from Cayman Brac

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Ivan the Terrible came to Cayman Brac on Saturday evening, September 11, 2004 and stayed through Sunday, with strong winds remaining until Monday afternoon.

After the eye of the storm has gone, the winds remain and the seas are still raging.

Minister of Planning, Communication, District Administration and Information Technology, the Hon Julianna O'Connor-Connolly, spoke at a community meeting in the Aston Rutty Civic Centre on Monday.

She said that the Governor of the Cayman Islands has declared the Cayman Islands a nation under distress. Many houses in Grand Cayman have lost their roofs and many people were left without housing.

“We here on Cayman Brac will do everything in our power to help all in Grand Cayman and will open our homes to those who need shelter from Grand Cayman,” she said.

The Civil Aviation Authority has reopened Gerrard Smith Airport for business early Monday morning. All streets have now been cleared on the South SIde of the Brac.

Aunt Sha's Restaurant on the South Side has been destroyed and the roof was blown off Mr. L. Bodden’s house in West End.

District Commissioner, Mr. Kenny Ryan has asked all residents on the Brac to take in people from Grand Cayman into their homes for shelter. Mr. Ryan also thanked the many volunteers in Cayman Brac who courageously gave their time and energy in keeping the public safe as Ivan passed by the Island.

All Government employees in Cayman Brac are to be on their jobs at 8: 30 am on Tuesday, September 14.

The schools in Cayman Brac may be open as early as Wednesday, September 15, if they are not to be used as shelters. The Water Authority is reported to be open for business. The Brac and Little Cayman have enough gasoline for four months and there is also a supply of jet fuel for refueling planes.

Mr. Ryan asked the efforts be made to conserve food and fuel consumption on the Brac.

Thanks are also due to the Brac Power and Light Company for keeping everyone supplied with power.

Commissioner Ryan said he would have Dave Tatum organize an effort to collect clothes and other essentials for those in need in Grand Cayman.

MLA Lyndon Martin also gave thanks to all volunteers in Cayman Brac who helped in the efforts of hurricane shelters and transporting. There will be persons from the Brac going to Grand Cayman to help with clean up and repairing houses.

There were about 150 persons staying in the Seamen's shelter on Saturday night. The count at the Aston Rutty Centre was 552. Another 200 persons were at the West End primary school. Many people stayed in homes on the Bluff.

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