News

Representatives from Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), the Cayman Islands National Weather Service (CINWS), Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) and Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) recently participated in the 2025 National Hurricane Conference, held in New Orleans, Louisiana from 14 to 17 April.

The conference is the United States' premier event dedicated to hurricane preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. It brought together emergency services professionals, meteorologists, and industry leaders from across the region to share insights and strengthen disaster readiness ahead of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The delegation from the Cayman Islands included Aliya Dunstan (HMCI), David Thompson (CINWS), Franceska Scott (CIAA – Cayman Brac), and Andrew Gregory and Antonette Macfarlane (WORC).

Delegates explored emerging technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in hurricane forecasting, preparedness, and recovery operations. They also attended sessions focused on best practices for managing Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) and engaged in valuable networking with regional and international partners.

 

This year’s conference also marked 20 years since the devastating Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana on 29 August 2005. Reflections on the storm, its wide-reaching impact, and the long-term recovery efforts were shared during the opening general session. The discussions echoed local commemorations held in the Cayman Islands last year to recognise the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan — a powerful reminder of the country’s vulnerability to major storms and the significant strides made in national preparedness since 2004. In both jurisdictions, the 20-year milestone highlights how much has been learned and improved in local disaster management. It also serves as a reminder that preparedness must remain a top priority.

Mark Codling, Deputy Director for Preparedness, Planning and Mitigation at HMCI, said, “Exposure to the latest developments in storm preparedness and response ensures that our national systems remain aligned with international standards. Our participation in this conference directly supports our mission to build a culture of readiness and continuously improve our emergency planning efforts. The stories shared in New Orleans are a sobering reminder that we must never let our guard down.”
The Cayman Islands Government remains committed to enhancing national resilience through continuous learning, collaboration, and investment in capacity building.