Cayman Damage Reports: Infrastructure

Last update October 27 2004 23:25:05. (ET)

David Wolfe a local photographer is taking pictures for those who want to document their damage. His prices are a bit steep ($500 CI), but he is a professional and I gather he lost a great deal in the storm. Some of his general photos are linked in below.
Pictures 1
More pictures 2
More pictures 3 (David Wolfe)

Good recovery info

Infrastructure

Power
- CUC restored power back to central GT after other essential services, residential areas are unknown
It may be up to 6 months before East End gets power back. They don't have enough power poles to restring the lines.

Telecommunications
Some Internet access restored within C & W. (Reports of engineers IM-ing friends)
Cellular GSM and TDMA networks at least partially functional.
911 services available
High demand plus reduced capacity is causing frequent busy signals and call blocking
- C&W expects main central GT lines to be operational in one week
- cellular service is improving
- Visualization of the loss of data connectivity

Food
Kirks - Destroyed Hurleys is open - Long line

Fuel
- tanker with 4 week fuel supply is expected in the next day or so

Retail
Aquamall - unknown
Mitzi's Fine Jewelry - unknown

Security
I've gotten two seperate, but unconfirmed reports that people are becoming more concerned about looting and the looters are becoming more aggresive. I hope these accounts are incorrect, but the public safety situation may be getting worse and does not seem to be improving.

Supplies
Kirk home center - roof damage
AL home depot - roof damage
Home & Office - lost portions of the roof over the office and showroom warehouse in tack, building does not appear to have sustained any structional damage besides about 4' of water.

Schools

  I am a teacher at Triple C School and rode out the storm there with 77                                        
others.  Over half the roof blown off, heavy water damage on top floor.                                         
Flood damage (+fecal contamination) on first floor, surge was over five feet                                    
at the school.  First floor being decontaminated by a US firm.  School                                          
relocated to FLC on Academy Way, school to begin October 25.  Prospective                                       
and returning students can talk with M. Ebanks at the school.

This needs to be broken up and put on the site properly, but I've been without power for 8 hours as Ivan passed through Atlanta. For the sake of speed I'm dumping it here and I'll move tidbits to the right sections as I catch up --Andy

The command post here in upstate New York had a very hectic day yesterday, between the 100 calls and having to
drive Burns around to find a generator and supplies to take to Cayman. As I write he is on his way on Jet Blue
to Ft. Lauderdale to meet up with Paul Weidner, Rudy Hinds and a Swat policeman for a Friday departure to
Cayman. Because there is no jet fuel on the island the Cayman Airways plane is going very light to make room
for the freight. The return flights have only half full due to fuel consumption. If anyone is thinking of
going now, there is a possibility it will be difficult to get off the island. The government is asking people
not to come to the island. There is no gas. What is there can be contaminated. No food, no water, no
electric to Northside expected for 6 months. DON'T GO.
Angel, Burns' daughter-in-law, in Houston at the Dart command post is sending a charter flight with
humanitarian aids and food today.
Bill Harom, Roger Enrico and Leigh Ritch, all of whom have houses in Northside and are coordinating container
loads of building supplies, Snapple, Rice-a Roni, Granola bars-cereal, cookies, Gatorade, and water shipped
from Tampa. Thompson Shipping is shipping free.
Gene Thompson reported winds of 224 mph at the airport.
Wayne Hasson of the Cayman Aggressor reports the island needs a big plane to get people off the island. It is
chaos at the airport. People are entering and leaving thru a hanger, since the arrival and departure building
is damaged. There is a crew there today working on clean up to get it opened again. It is first come first
serve on departures from island. Roger, Burns' son-in-law is flying Rod Hanson's plane to get a few people
off the island.
A phone call from Vern Andrews reports he is going to try on Friday to go to the island. All the flights are
booked.
Burns' is taking 3 disposable cameras, 2 generators, chain saw, sump pump, suitcases full of batteries, granola
bars.
Food is scarce. Fosters open and allowing a few people in at a time with a $50.00 limit of purchases. We
understand Kirk market sustained damage. Cannot get an actuate account of this. The Treehouse restaurant
across the street from Kirk's is reported gone.
Gary reported yesterday things were getting really bad, that people where climbing coconut trees, swinging
their machete to get something to eat and drink. His account of this was on TV last night on the 700 Club with
Pat Robertson.
Judy reported water off last night, but restored today. Still do not know how far the water goes.
Houses in Snug Harbour had two feet of water.
Robert and Paula Chilman are OK. They stayed in their condo which had roof and wall damage.
There are no reported deaths.
No word on the Foreman's home in Frank Sound. Dick Christenson home in the area is livable, with a generator,
and the pipe line reports a steak was served.
No news on Castaway Cove (1/2 mile east of Driftwood), the home of Chad Mason.
No news on the Carney home in Cayman Kai.
Stephanie's and Villa Azure still there and can be repaired.
NorthPoint condo took a hit. Apt 101 faired the best on the first floor. The seawall is gone.
Rum Point still there
Peter Friedrick house is good shape.
Marcel's did not do so well.
Island House sustained some roof and porch damage.
Sabine house lost some shingles.
Retreat took a wave. First floor damaged.
Rice house had some roof damage.
Everett house next to Far Tortuga in good shape some damage.
Coco Kai lost some windows
Purple Haze boarded up and appears to be in good shape.
I want to kiss Nedra Roney for placing the statue of Jesus at the end of our street. We were really blessed.
No water damage to Kai Sound. A few shingles off. Burns was beside him self when the hurricane formed south
of Barbados, he knew that Ivan had a good probability of hitting Cayman. When he hear the strength of Ivan, he
told me I would not have a home. I never lost faith.
When Burns gets there, a full report should be available this weekend. So stay tuned.