Hurricane season in the Cayman Islands runs from 1 June to 30 November, and the Government advises having a 5 to 7-day supply kit ready before the first named storm. On the health side, that means an extra two-week supply of your regular medicines, about one gallon of water per person per day, a plan for anything that needs a fridge or a plug, and knowing which shelter or Emergency Medical Centre (EMC) serves your district.
This guide covers medication planning, insulin and fridge medicines, powered medical equipment, shelters and EMCs, water, food safety after a power cut, first aid kits and where to get official alerts. For shutters, roofs and the rest of the property side, use our Cayman homeowner hurricane checklist.
When is hurricane season in the Cayman Islands?
The Cayman Islands Government says hurricane season runs from 1 June through 30 November. As of mid-October there are still around six weeks of the 2026 season to go, so it is worth checking your kit now rather than assuming the risk has passed. For a feel for what each month usually brings, see our month-by-month guide to Cayman weather.
The Government's Prioritising Preparedness guidance recommends a 5 to 7-day kit with water, non-perishable food, medications, a flashlight, a battery radio, first aid supplies and cash, because ATMs and cards may not work after a storm. It also asks every household to have a written family plan that names your nearest shelter or evacuation route.
How do I make a hurricane medication plan?
How much extra medication should I keep?
The Health Services Authority (HSA) advises keeping an extra two-week supply of your current medication throughout hurricane season. Health City Cayman Islands gave similar advice in an August 2026 press release: keep at least a two-week supply of prescriptions, in the original labelled containers, inside a waterproof bag.
The HSA suggests keeping this reserve in an airtight, watertight container or zip-lock bag, using it only if needed, and using it up at the end of the season. Store medicines somewhere cool and dry, and refrigerate only those labelled 'for the fridge' or 'refrigerate'.
Can I get an early prescription refill before a hurricane in Cayman?
Do not wait for a warning. According to the HSA Prepared page:
- The HSA will not provide extra supplies if you refilled your prescription within two weeks of a storm warning.
- If you have not refilled a chronic medication for three months or longer, you need to see your doctor for a new prescription.
Before Hurricane Beryl in 2024, the HSA Pharmacy said patients who already had 2 to 3 weeks of chronic medication did not need more refills, and those who had run out could call the pharmacy for advice. A one-off Refill Clinic ran at Smith Road Medical Centre at the time. The pharmacy numbers published then were 244-2715 or 244-2716, but they were for Beryl and may have changed, so check with the HSA main line on (345) 949-8600. If you use a private doctor or pharmacy, ask them now how they handle storm refills.
Keep medicines labelled and your paperwork safe
The HSA advises labelling important medications and securing them in a watertight container so EMS responders can find them easily. The Government recommends keeping copies of your ID, insurance policy and medical records somewhere waterproof or in digital form.
The HSA's Be Prepared for a Medical Emergency advice also suggests making sure your health insurance premiums are paid and current, and that passports and visas are valid in case overseas medical treatment is needed. While you are reviewing policies, our piece on how AI hurricane forecasting is changing Cayman property insurance covers the home insurance side.
How do I keep insulin and fridge medicines safe in a power outage?
The HSA says that during a long power cut after a hurricane, insulin that is opened and in use (pen or vial) can stay unrefrigerated at room temperature for 28 days. Storage limits vary by insulin product, and this guidance does not cover unopened insulin or very high heat. Read your product leaflet and ask your pharmacist before a storm what to do with unopened stock.
For other medicines that need refrigeration, the CDC's general guidance is that when the power is out for a day or more, refrigerated medication should be thrown away unless the label says otherwise. If someone's life depends on a refrigerated drug that has been at room temperature, the CDC says to use it only until a new supply is available. Because every medicine is different, talk to your pharmacist about yours now so you know the plan before the lights go out.
The FDA suggests keeping appliance thermometers in the fridge and freezer and freezing containers of water ahead of time. A thermometer tells you how cold your fridge actually stayed, which helps when you speak to a pharmacist afterwards.
What should people on oxygen or CPAP do before a hurricane?
Start before any watch or warning is issued. Health City advises patients who rely on medication or powered medical equipment to arrange medication supplies, backup treatment and other power sources in advance. HSA staff quoted in the Cayman Compass in July 2026 added practical checks:
- Make sure oxygen, nebulisers and other devices are working.
- Check batteries, oxygen levels, tubing and accessories before storms.
- Keep the instruction manuals close by.
- If you evacuate, bring your own supplies and come with a caregiver.
The official sources used for this guide do not give CPAP-specific advice. Ask your doctor and your equipment supplier how long your machine can run without mains power and what they recommend if the power is off for days.
Can oxygen users go to an Emergency Medical Centre?
Yes. Both HMCI and the HSA list oxygen-dependent people as eligible for EMCs, which are temporary medical facilities inside some shelters, staffed by trained medical and nursing personnel. A caregiver from home must come with the person and stay with them.
HMCI notes that people who need professional medical care or special equipment may need hospitalisation instead, and doctors decide this. Its examples include people who are ventilator-dependent, women having contractions or in the seventh month of pregnancy or later, anyone with chest pain in the last 24 hours and anyone with shortness of breath. If that could be you, speak to your doctor now.
Dialysis and chemotherapy patients
The HSA says its Dialysis Unit will contact all dialysis patients to arrange dialysis when a hurricane or tropical storm threatens, and its Chemotherapy Unit will contact oncology and haematology patients in active treatment. The numbers listed are 244-2769 or 244-2624 for dialysis and 244-2872 for chemotherapy. Make sure the units have your current phone number.
Late pregnancy
The HSA says women having contractions, or in their seventh month (third trimester) or later, should contact their doctor for guidance and possible hospital admission if a storm threatens. If you evacuate, bring your prenatal record, immunisations, birth bag and two weeks of medications, including prenatal vitamins.
Generators
If you plan to run a generator for medical equipment, the HSA says it must be properly vented and must never be used indoors or in confined spaces, because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Where are the hurricane shelters in the Cayman Islands?
This is the shelter list published on the Cayman Prepared shelters page run by Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI). The page is undated and the map is labelled 2025, and the Government's 2026 update refers to '16 official shelters', which does not match the number of entries below. Always confirm which shelters are open for the current storm.
How do shelters work?
A shelter normally runs for up to 72 hours at first but may stay open longer depending on how badly the community is hit. Everyone must register on arrival, and all shelters have first aid service through Red Cross personnel. HMCI asks you to bring 3 to 4 days of food that needs no cooking, a can opener, 3 to 4 days of water, a first aid kit that includes prescription medications, bedding, a battery radio, a flashlight and spare batteries, a change of clothes, cash and cards, passports and important papers, a car charger for your phone, and special-needs items for infants and elderly or disabled relatives.
Shelter rules ban alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons, furniture, cooking and cooking equipment, and smoking inside. Only battery-operated lighting is allowed, cots and air mattresses may not be, and pets are allowed only at pet-friendly shelters.
Is the hospital a hurricane shelter?
No. The HSA says Anthony S. Eden Hospital (formerly George Town Hospital) and the district health centres are not general public hurricane shelters. If you need shelter, go to a district hurricane shelter.
Which shelters are Emergency Medical Centres?
HMCI says at least one shelter in each district is an EMC, but official lists differ, as shown below. Confirm EMC locations with HMCI when a storm threatens.
How much water per person should I store for a hurricane?
HMCI's guidance is one gallon of water per person per day, and it asks people going to a shelter to bring 3 to 4 days' worth. The Government recommends a 5 to 7-day home kit but does not give a separate water figure. Applying HMCI's one gallon a day to that period works out at 5 to 7 gallons per person, or 20 to 28 gallons for a family of four. That is our arithmetic, not an official figure, so treat it as a starting point.
How long is food safe after a power outage?
These timings come from the CDC's Eat Safe Food after a Power Outage guidance and related CDC advice.
What should be in a hurricane first aid kit?
Cayman's official lists keep this practical. Based on Government, HMCI and HSA guidance, your health kit should include:
- First aid supplies.
- Your prescription medications, including the extra two-week supply, labelled and in a watertight container.
- Copies of medical records, ID and insurance documents, waterproofed or saved digitally.
- Supplies, spare batteries and manuals for any medical devices.
- Special-needs items for babies and for elderly or disabled family members.
- A flashlight, battery radio and extra batteries.
The official sources used here do not publish a detailed item-by-item first aid list, so ask your pharmacist to help you put together supplies that suit your household's needs.
Can I call 911 during a hurricane?
You can, but the HSA says EMS vehicles do not operate in tropical-storm-force winds. During a hurricane, 911 calls are answered case by case based on a risk assessment, and you should seek treatment only for medical emergencies. This is why getting refills, device checks and EMC plans sorted early matters so much.
What about heat, mould and stress after the storm?
The days after a storm can bring heat without air conditioning, damp homes and a lot of strain. The official sources used for this guide do not give specific Cayman advice on these, so if you or someone you care for is struggling physically or emotionally, contact your doctor or the HSA on (345) 949-8600, and call 911 in an emergency.
Where do I get official hurricane alerts in Cayman?
Sign up for the National Emergency Notification System (NENS), HMCI's alert tool, which sends texts, emails and app notifications for national emergencies including hurricanes. The NENS office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and can be reached at nens@gov.ky. For live forecasts, radar and severe weather alerts, use the Cayman Islands National Weather Service, whose Kearney Gomez Doppler Radar was upgraded before the 2026 season. Cayman Prepared also has shelter details, kit checklists and family plans.
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