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Updated on 1 December 2025
 5:21 PM

Shelters in the Cayman Islands

A shelter is a facility designated for refuge immediately prior to, during or after a disaster, including for an event such as a storm/hurricane. An emergency shelter is normally operated for an initial period of up to 72 hours but may be longer depending on the severity of impact on the community. In a shelter environment it is not possible to provide the privacy which exists at home, however, in the allocation of space the shelter management team will work together and with shelterees to create the highest levels of privacy possible. Persons who are seeking refuge in the shelter, are referred to as shelterees.

Every shelteree must be registered when they enter the shelter to ensure that everyone is accounted for within the shelter. The shelter management team may request additional information regarding health, diet, interests and capabilities or skills to assist in the operation of the shelter.
 

The following apply to everyone in the shelter, there are NO EXCEPTIONS: If a curfew is issued at any time under the Emergency Powers Act, all persons within the shelter will be subject to the conditions of the curfew and will be subject to such penalties as may be imposed for failure to comply.

No liability shall attach to the Government, shelter managers, shelter officers, Government employees or agents or the owner or occupier of listed premises in respect of:

  • Accidental or negligent loss or damage to property brought into the shelter by a person seeking protection; or

  • Persons who leave the shelter prior to the issuance of an All Clear

What Happens After

Following an all-clear, there will be a sign out process for all shelterees. You may be called on to assist with the cleanup, or reorganization of the shelter as well before you leave.

Where are the Shelters

  • Cayman Islands Red Cross Building on Huldah Avenue

  • John Gray High School Gymnasium (Formerly George Hicks High School) (Pet-Friendly)

  • John Gray High School New Building

  • S. Marie Martin Primary School

  • Prospect Primary School (EMC)

  • University College of the Cayman Islands Sir Vassel Johnson Hall

  • Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre
  • Clifton Hunter High School Gymnasium (EMC) (PETS)
  • Joanna Clarke Primary School Hall (EMC)
  • John A. Cumber Primary School Hall (EMC)
  • John A. Cumber Primary School (Partial Classrooms)
  • John Gray Memorial Church Hall
  • Breakers Community Hall
  • Aston Rutty Centre
  • Cayman Brac Sports Complex and Multi-Purpose Hall
  • William Allen McLaughlin Civic Centre (EMC)
  • Elliott Connolly Civic Centre (Gun Bay Community Hall)
  • Theoline McCoy Primary School (EMC)
  • Public Works Department Building

What You Need to Know About Shelters

  • 3-4 days supply of food and drink that does not need cooking

  • A can opener

  • 3-4 days supply of water (one gallon per day per person)

  • First aid kit that includes prescription medications

  • Special needs items for infants (formula, bottles, and diapers, etc)

  • Special needs items for elderly or disabled family members

  • If you have small children, do not forget to bring at least one of their favourite foods (e.g., breakfast cereal) and something to keep them occupied

  • Bedding (sleeping bags, pillows)

  • Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries

  • A change of clothes

  • Extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash

  • Passports and important family papers

  • Reading materials and quiet games to help pass time and keep children occupie

  • Car charger for your cell phone

Persons are also asked NOT to bring alcohol, illegal drugs, cooking equipment, furniture and weapons. Cots and air mattresses may not be allowed because of limited space.

  1. No pets (unless it's a pet-friendly shelter)

  2. No smoking inside

  3. No alcohol

  4. No offensive weapons

  5. No cooking

  6. Residents must assist with housekeeping

  7. Residents must supervise their children

  8. Only battery operated lighting allowed

Dog Supplies Checklist

  • Muzzles are required

  • Regular food that is used daily for the dog (must be labelled with your first and last name) (Have a supply of food for 3 days min – 5 days max)

  • Water (3 days min – 5 days max)

  • Pet Bedding (blanket or towels)

  • Trash bags (for handling waste)

  • Paper Towels (for handling waste)

  • Hand Soap / Disinfectant

  • Sturdy Leash and collar / harness for each dog

  • Disinfectant spray (for cleaning up dog waste) (labelled with owner's first and last name)

  • Food and water bowls (must be labelled with owner's first and last name)

  • Can Opener (if needed for canned food)

  • Poop Scoops (labelled with owner's first and last name)

  • ID neckbands/collars

  • Dog Carrier/crate/kennel (label the kennel with the following information: owner’s name, pet's name, breed of the dog, gender of the dog, whether the dog is spayed or neutered)

  • Clearly label the kennel / crate if the dog is anxious or aggressive

  • Crate / Kennel must be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around comfortably and with room for food and water

  • Medication (all animal medications brought into the shelter are to remain in the control of the pet owner and must be clearly labelled with pet's and owner's name)

  • Veterinarian Information (up-to-date vaccination records are required)

  • Favourite toys for your dog

  • Favourite Treats for your dog (labelled with owner's first and last name)

 

Cat Supplies Checklist

  • Muzzles are required

  • Sturdy leash, collar / harness

  • ID neckbands

  • Regular food that is used daily for cats (3 days min – 5 days max, labeled with owner's first and last name)

  • Water (3 days min – 5 days max)

  • Food and water bowls (labelled with owner's first and last name)

  • Can opener if needed for canned food

  • Signage on crate (label with owner's name, cat's name, breed of cat, gender of cat, and whether spayed or neutered)

  • Clearly identify on the crate / kennel if the cat is anxious or aggressive)

  • Crate / Carrier must be large enough for the cat to stand up and turn around comfortably, and with room for the cat's food and water)

  • Pet bedding / blanket or towels

  • Trash bags (for handling waste)

  • Disinfectant spray for cats (labelled with your first and last name)

  • Paper Towels (for handling waste)

  • Cat Litter and disposable pans (cat litter and a pan must be provided for each crate/kennel/carrier and must be labelled with the owner's first and last name)

  • Hand soap / disinfectant

  • Favourite toys for the cat

  • Favourite treats for the cat (must be labelled with owner's first and last name)

  • Heavy gauntlets/cat gloves

  • Medication (all cat medications brought into the shelter are to remain in the control of the pet owner and must be labelled with the owner's first and last name)

  • Veterinarian Information (up-to-date vaccination records are required

 

Items not allowed in Pet Friendly Shelters:

  • Kennel or crate excessive in size

  • Exercise pens

Emergency Medical Centres

Emergency Medical Centres are established in key locations on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to provide medical care for people whose age, frailty, mobility, functional and/or medical condition make them particularly vulnerable and at risk in disaster situations.

Set up usually in some of the hurricane shelters, these Centres are temporary, emergency-type facilities staffed by trained medical and nursing personnel. These Centres may also be utilised for providing medical care after the disaster, in case of disruption of access to the hospital or health centres.

Admissions to Emergency Medical Centres are limited to level of care needed and resources available. Only those individuals with medical impairments who have been able to maintain activities of daily living in a home environment prior to the disaster or emergency situation and who may need some level of medical monitoring & or assistance are allowed in an Emergency Medical Centre. The caregiver at home must accompany and stay with the person at the shelter. Some examples of clients to emergency medical shelters are:

  • Wheelchair bound persons with medical needs;

  • Individuals with severely reduced mobility;

  • Persons with mental illness who are non-violent;

  • Medically impaired individuals who are able to maintain activities of daily living with special assistance: eg. paralysis, colostomy, tracheostomy;

  • Persons having continuous IV therapy (pain control, or hydration); or

  • Oxygen dependent.

If an individual with one of these medical conditions was homebound at the time of the emergency or disaster, he/she with the caretaker may report to a shelter designated as Emergency Medical Centre; provided power sources, equipment and back-up supplies are available.

All others who do not need medical monitoring or assistance during the passage of a hurricane may report to any shelter. All shelters have first aid service through Red Cross personnel.

 

Hospitalisation

Persons who require professional medical care and or special medical equipment may need hospitalisation. Physicians decide if hospitalisation is required.

These may include persons who are

  • Ventilator dependant;

  • Pregnant women who are experiencing contractions and women who are in the seventh month or beyond;

  • Persons who report chest pain or have experience chest pain the last 24 hours;

  • Persons with shortness of breath;

  • Persons who have already experienced a potentially serious injury and have not been evaluated by a physician;

  • Uncontrollable or violent persons; and

  • Persons with infected wounds.

 

EMC Locations


At least one shelter in each district is designated an Emergency Medical Centre (EMC). The following list indicates those shelters that have been designated EMCs in 2013; however, the designation may be reassigned. Residents should look for information pertaining to the current threat.

  • Grand Cayman

    • Prospect Primary School

    • John A. Cumber Primary School Assembly Hall

    • William Allen McLaughlin (East End) Civic Centre

    • Craddock Ebanks (North Side) Civic Centre

    • Clifton Hunter High School Gymnasium

    • Theoline McCoy Primary School

    • Joanna Clarke Primary School Assembly Hall

  • Cayman Brac

    • Aston Rutty Centre

  • Little Cayman

    • Public Works Department Building

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