New York, NY (Sept. 14)--Below please find the most up to date information that the U.S. Cayman Islands Office has received from accurate government sources.

"There is a lot frustration due to the lack of consistent updates from Grand Cayman. We'd like everyone to understand that the Cayman Islands is doing our very best to verify information and distribute it as quickly as possible to media, friends and families," explain Pilar Bush, Acting Director of Tourism.

The most up to date information that has been officially verified is available on www.caymanislands.ky. A dedicated email address has been set up for all non-media inquiries, it is [email protected]. Please use this email address to request information or provide any updates.

As of 12 noon today:

• Dozens of people remain unaccounted for on Grand Cayman

• The Cayman Islands remain under a state of emergency and a curfew imposed

• H.E. The Governor, Mr. Bruce Dinwiddy remain in charge under the Emergency Powers Law (1997 Revision) and the Emergency Regulations, 2004

• Many homes on Grand Cayman are confirmed uninhabitable either due to flooding or roof destruction

• Dept. of Tourism offices on Grand Cayman were severely damaged and remain closed

• Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are in good shape and have mobilized to help relief efforts for Grand Cayman

• Road networks are intact, but some are still obstructed

• Cayman Airways, the national airline, has been coordinating emergency flights into Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac from Houston, Tampa and Miami

• CAL flights will bring US citizens back to the United States on these emergency flights

• Owen Roberts International Airport is open for restricted flights only

• Cayman Brac's Gerrard Smith International Airport is open for restricted flights only

• www.caymanislands.ky has details of what relief supplies are needed and where these can be delivered

• Cell phones are working, although the volume of calls makes if difficult to make contact as circuits are almost permanently busy

• Land phone lines remain down

Relief Efforts

The Cayman Islands US office in tandem with partners is coordinating relief efforts. Details available to date follow:

Cash Donations - The Department of Tourism has set up Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Fund

Account # 621506296065 with Chase Manhattan Banks.

The wiring instructions follow:

JPMorgan Chase Bank
60 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10165

ABA # 021000021

Swift Code for international use only: CHASUS33

CIDOT will work with Ernst & Young (NY) to have them oversee the donations and disbursement process. The funds will be used to buy necessary relief/medical supplies, rebuilding materials and other items needed by the families left without homes.

Tortuga Rum Company Ltd. - To expedite the relief efforts for the Cayman Islands, they have set up their Miami warehouse as a staging area. They are working with relief agencies and air freight companies to begin sending supplies as soon as conditions permit returning to the island. Food donations and necessities can be dropped off at the Tortuga warehouse located at 14202 Southwest 142nd Ave, Miami, FL 33186. The phone number is 305-378-6668.

Cayman Airways Cargo Ltd.
6025 NW 18th Street
Building 716 East Suite 2E
Miami International Airport, FL. 33152
(305) 526-3190

Cox Lumber Company, Tampa, Fl. - Caymanian businessman Mr. Linton Tibbetts has made his facilities in Tampa available as a drop off point for emergency relief supplies.

Cox Lumber
5135 Madison Ave
Tampa, FL 33619
(813) 248-6731

Cayman Islands Update as of 4:40 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 13

Cayman Airways, the national flag carrier o the Cayman Islands, has cancelled all of its flights through end day Wednesday due to the closure of Owen Roberts International Airport. "The airline is evaluating the situation and will resume operation as soon as it is safe and possible," states Rick Blake, VP Marketing, Cayman Airways.

In the meanwhile as the government continues to access the situation, Pilar Bush, Acting Director of Tourism, Cayman Islands, is appealing to travel partners to be flexible with their change policies, as additional visitors to the islands will strain the already burdened situation.

This is an unprecedented natural disaster for The Cayman Islands, and the priority at present is to restore basic services and facilities to the resident population.

Cayman Islands Update as of 2 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 13

The Government of the Cayman Islands has reported that, at this moment in time, Hurricane Ivan has caused no reported casualties in the Cayman Islands.

There has been extensive water damage to a number of buildings, but the vast majority remain structurally sound. The country's housing stock has also been impaired. The electricity supply, which was turned off before the hurricane hit, has been affected, and the electricity company is working to re-establish the lines and pylons. Mobile phones are now being reconnected.

The Cayman Islands Government (CIG) is focusing on four priority areas:

1. Securing the storm shelters a¿¿ ensuring people are safe, warm and have food.

2. Clearing the roads of debris and restoring essential services.

3. Working with HMS Richmond and the Auxiliary Ship Wave Runner. Both ships are currently offshore, and the Captain of HMS Richmond is preparing the ship's helicopter to undertake a test flight. If the test flight is successful aerial surveillance will begin, allowing an effective assessment of priorities.

4. Ensuring safety and security. The police will be assisted by personnel of HMS Richmond.

The supermarkets have supplies that have not been spoiled by rain or flood water, and will reopen as soon as possible. The CIG is working to reopen the banks and to ensure the economy begins to function as normal as soon as possible.

The absolute priority of the Cayman Islands Government is to ensure the Islands get back on their feet. The Cabinet Secretary, Orrett Connor, said at 19:00 GMT:

"The Cayman Islands has picked itself up from hurricanes in the past. There is a tremendous team spirit here, and we are working together to rebuild and regroup. We are absolutely determined to be back in business extremely quickly."

The Government is working to ensure continuity in the Islands' financial services industry and will aim for the tourism sector to be back in business as soon as possible.

The airport is back in restricted use, with a Cayman Airways plane flying in from Miami this afternoon. The Air Traffic Control tower is operational. There is no further update, at the moment, about the resumption of commercial flights.