 The tropical wave that spawned Brenda produced significant amounts of rainfall in the Cayman Islands as it became better organized . Upwards of 4 in ( 100 mm ) was recorded on Grand Cayman on August 17 . Following its first landfall in the northern Yucatan , Brenda produced heavy rainfall and high winds , gusting near 70 mph ( 110 km / h ) . Along the cost , waves were recorded up to 20 ft ( 6 @.@ 1 m ) . Offshore , a freighter with 25 crewman became trapped in the storm after its engines failed . The United States Coast Guard responded to the distress call sent out by the ship once Brenda had moved into the Gulf of Mexico on August 21 . 
