All Clear Issued for Grand Cayman, November 8, 2008

GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, Nov. 8 Cayman-All-Clear


GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The All Clear for Grand
Cayman from Hurricane Paloma has been issued by the government of the Cayman
Islands. Currently the damage is being assessed, and is expected to be
minimal. A more formal damage assessment will be released in the next few
hours. As of 9:30 a.m. this morning, the sun is shining in Grand Cayman.


"We are relieved that no loss of life or major property damage has been
reported on the island," said The Honorable Charles Clifford.  "Many hotels
are open and even expecting to receive new visitors for check-in today."


Steve Broadbelt, Owner of Cayman Diving Lodge and President of Cayman
Islands Tourism Association whose property, Ocean Frontiers, in the East End
of Grand Cayman is closest to where the hurricane passed, is pleased to report
that tourism businesses in Grand Cayman are reporting only very minimal
damage. "Many hotels and resorts have remained open or will re-open within 48
hours, and many restaurants and bars will also re-open today or tomorrow," he
said. "Water Sports operators and other attractions will most likely resume
operations from Monday. Many commercial and public docks remain intact --
primarily due to the lower than expected storm surge."


Owen Roberts International Airport has confirmed that no major damage was
sustained to the commercial or private plane terminals, and the airport is
expected to be reopened for business shortly. All travelers are recommended to
call their airline and property for additional updates.


A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Sister Islands of Little
Cayman and Cayman Brac as Paloma remains a Category 4 hurricane.


Paloma has taken a more northeasterly forward motion, which has resulted
in the eye of the hurricane impacting both Little Cayman and Cayman Brac
during the early part of this morning. Expected storm surge for the Sister
Islands of 4 to 8 feet and wave heights of 15 to 25 feet are likely. Rain
bands associated with Paloma will potentially affect the Cayman Islands
through Sunday afternoon.



SOURCE  The Cayman Islands