LC still awaits supplies

By Norma Connolly, norma@cfp.ky

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Residents of Little Cayman are still awaiting supplies to arrive by sea at the hurricane–struck island.

Apart from a shipment of tarpaulin and packaged hot meals, which arrived by plane earlier this week, no relief supplies have reached the island, Little Cayman district officer Larry Foster said.

Mr. Foster said he had been told for the last three days that a barge with supplies of gasoline and possibly electricity and light poles was due to arrive, but so far, there was no sign of the vessel.

“I’ve been told it will be arriving tomorrow [Friday], but we’ve been hearing that for days now,” Mr. Foster said. “We’re hoping there will be poles on board. I don’t know exactly, no one seems to know for sure.”

“We got some tarpaulins by plane some days ago, but that is all we’ve got,” he added.

He said a shipment of 5,000 gallons of petrol had been expected from Cayman Brac, but the gasoline could not be loaded there, so now, a shipment is being sent from Grand Cayman.

“We’re not desperate for food or water, that’s not a problem yet,” Mr. Foster said, as he visited the Village Square store yesterday and determined that the shop had an ample supply of water and foodstuffs. Hotels and resorts on the island also have cisterns of water for the time being.

Some power has already been restored to the island from the power plant to the Southern Cross Club resort, and by yesterday linesmen had erected poles as far as the Little Cayman Beach Resort, but were about to run out of the island’s supply of poles.

“What we’re really missing is building material and supplies for power, like poles and wires, as well as staff to do the work. There are only two linesmen here,” Mr. Foster said.

The village still has no power, and if poles and wiring can be erected, there could be electricity there by the weekend or Monday, Mr. Foster hopes.

Although there is no power at the village, the Village Square store at the plaza is open for business. Owner Perry McLaughlin said the plaza had escaped damage in the storm, but had no power or telephone service.

“We were really very fortunate in Little Cayman and didn’t have as much damage as Cayman Brac. We’re very worried about everyone there, we all have family there,” he said.

Some people still remain in the hurricane shelter, but most have returned to their homes. Staff of hotels and resorts are staying at the hotels, but no guests are there. The Southern Cross Club is expected to reopen on Sunday.

Edward Bodden airport is open and flights are arriving and leaving, and the roads on the island have been cleared. Rental cars are available on the island by calling 916–3755 or 329–1000.