It is important that you decide where you will be staying in the event of a hurricane before it threatens Cayman. If your home is durable and has withstood previous natural disasters, then it is probably the best place to stay.
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If you decide that it is safe to stay in your home, ask your neighbours about the vulnerability of your neighbourhood in the case of flooding and wave threats. Also find the safest areas in your house to shelter and potential escape routes. It is good if your home is on stilts, on high-lying ground, away from the ocean or double-storied - that way you can go upstairs to be safe.
If you do not think your house is a suitable place to stay during a storm, take shelter in a safe and sturdy home/building. This can be at a friend's, your workplace (if available) or one of the many public shelters on-Island. Please keep in mind that Cayman's hurricane shelters should be considered a last resort, especially if you have your own comfortable home. Hurricane shelters in Cayman can get very crowded with basic conditions.
Below is the latest list of hurricane shelters published by HMCI. Currently there
are only two pet-friendly shelters on Grand Cayman and six Emergency
Medical Centres (EMC) across the Cayman Islands.
George Town
| Location | Capacity | Emergency Medical Centre | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Town Primary School Assembly Hall | 240 | No | No |
| Red Cross Building on Huldah Avenue | 95 | No | No |
| University College of the Cayman Islands Hall | 500 | No | No |
| John Gray High School | 1,150 | No | Yes - 30 dogs or 60 cats |
| John Gray High School (Next to Gym) | 2,477 | No | No |
| Prospect Primary School | 1,135 | Yes | No |
West Bay
| Location | Capacity | Emergency Medical Centre | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir John A. Cumber Primary School Assembly Hall | 335 | Yes | No |
| Sir John A. Cumber Primary School Classrooms | 135 | No | No |
| John Gray Memorial Church Hall | 155 | No | No |
Savannah, Bodden Town & Breakers
| Location | Capacity | Emergency Medical Centre | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah Primary School Assembly Hall | 135 | Yes | No |
| Bodden Town Primary School Multipurpose Hall | 80 | No | No |
| Breakers Community Hall | 40 | No | No |
| Bodden Town Church of God | 565 | No | No |
East End
| Location | Capacity | Emergency Medical Centre | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Allen McLaughlin Civic Centre | 240 | Yes | No |
| Gun Bay Community Hall | 65 | No | No |
North Side
| Location | Capacity | Emergency Medical Centre | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Hunter High School Gymnasium, Frank Sound | 630 | Yes | Yes - 15 dogs or 25 cats |
| Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre | 185 | Yes | No |
Cayman Brac
| Location | Capacity | Emergency Medical Centre | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| West End Primary School | 250 | No | No |
| Multi-purpose Hall (Sports Complex) | 250 | No | No |
| Aston Rutty Centre | 420 | Yes | No |
Little Cayman
| Location | Capacity | Emergency Medical Centre | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Works Department Building | 140 | Yes | No |
You should make sure you take a shelter kit with enough supplies for a number of days, including bedding, changes of clothes, a car charger for your phone and more. For more information and a list of recommended items to bring to a shelter, see the Cayman Prepared website.
Unless you are at a designated pet friendly shelter you cannot bring any pets with you. Be mindful that there is a limit on the number of pets in each pet-friendly shelter. Also prohibited is smoking, alcohol, offensive weapons, cooking, heavy/excess luggage and cots. Shelter residents must assist with housekeeping and must supervise their children at all times. Only battery operated lighting allowed.
Volunteer Shelter Managers are always needed. If you are interested in becoming one or for more information, contact Tina Ebanks or Melissa Hall at the Department of Children and Family Services or call (345) 949 0290.
