MGHH02: Hurricane Paloma Monitoring Group

UNCLAS STATE 119378 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC XL SUBJECT: MGHH02: Hurricane Paloma Monitoring Group Situation Report No. 1 CAYMAN ISLANDS AVOID MAJOR DAMAGE, NOW IN RECOVERY PHASE -------------- -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The storm hit the Cayman Islands November 7; there are no reports of serious damage. The airport is open and power has been restored to most of Grand Cayman. (MG/Embassy Kingston telcon) HURRICANE PALOMA STRIKES CUBA AS CATEGORY 4 -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Media report the hurricane made landfall on Cuba's southeast coast and weakened to a Category 3. The National Hurricane Center expects it will emerge as a tropical storm over the Atlantic in 24 hours. Forecasts call for five to 20 inches of rain over central Cuba. (MG/National Hurricane Center telcon, AP) ¶3. (SBU) The Cuban government evacuated approximately 100,000 people from low-lying areas and suspended all vehicular, rail, and air traffic in central Cuba. Airports in western Cuba, including Havana, are fully operational. (MG/USINT Havana telcon) ¶4. (SBU) No U.S. citizens have requested assistance. (MG/USINT Havana telcon) THE BAHAMIAN GOVERNMENT MONITORING STORM -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Embassy Nassau expects Paloma to strike the central Bahamas November 9. (MG/Embassy Nassau telcon) ¶6. (U) Minimize considered. RICE