Evacuation

Visitors

The HMCI initiates arrangements to transport visitors off the islands. The national carrier Cayman Airways puts on extra outgoing flights and additional airlines are brought in to assist. Evacuation is voluntary and seats on flights are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visitors who are unable to get a flight may be housed in a shelter to ride out the storm. (Remember that shelters will not have the amenities of a hotel or guesthouse.) Some hotels will allow visitors to stay on the property during the storm; it depends on the size and direction of the hurricane.

Residents

Any decision to advise people to leave a particular area or areas on any of the three islands will be made by the chairman of the The National Hazard Management Executive Committee (HMCI) after consultations with other members of the Executive Committee and weather officials.

When the HMCI feels an area is at high risk, it will publicly notify people through the media. Then emergency services personnel will drive through neighborhoods delivering the same message on loud speakers. This means that all residents in that area should leave at once and go to a designated shelter or other safer location.