Caribbean Net News: Cayman Islands suffer 'catastrophic damage'

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: At 2 am local time Monday, as telecommunications improve, at least temporarily, we are now able to provide a preliminary report on the impact of Hurricane Ivan on Grand Cayman, which has been described as �catastrophic�.

There have been unofficial and unconfirmed reports of some deaths, but no further details are known at this time. There have also been reports of looting taking place along Eastern Avenue in George Town.

A huge surge of water is said to have come from the North Sound along the aptly named North Sound Road and through George Town, to meet a similar surge from South Sound travelling in the opposite direction along Walker�s Road.

It is to be expected that the high-end houses along South Sound and in the South Church Street/Webster�s Estates area would have been severely affected by the tidal surge and heavy seas.

At one point the entire island seemed to be swamped by a tidal surge that could have been up to 15 or even 20 feet high.

Trees have been blown down or, if left standing, have been completely defoliated. A great many roofs have been blown off, including that of the Islay Conolly Hall at John Gray High School, which was being used as a hurricane shelter.

A large number of power lines are down and CUC is starting on a preliminary damage assessment.

There have been reports of some damage to the hospital, along with flooding of the Government Administration Building.

Supermarkets are hoping to open Monday, despite some having suffered significant damage. Gas stations were also reporting some heavy damage.

On a private note, the glass doors at Cayman Net News thankfully resisted the worst of the flooding, even though at times it was like looking at an aquarium (complete with tadpoles) as the water rose some three feet outside the glass.

Further reports will be published as circumstances and communications permit.

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