 Shortly after peaking in intensity , the hurricane again weakened as it underwent an eyewall replacement cycle . At 1415 UTC on September 12 Ivan passed 25 miles ( 40 km ) south @-@ southwest of George Town , Cayman Islands , with sustained winds of 150 mph ( 240 km / h ) were reported . The storm surge from the hurricane flooded all of Grand Cayman Island . After its eyewall became re @-@ established Ivan attained Category 5 status for a third time early on September 13 . Shortly thereafter , a trough created a weakness in the ridge to its north , causing the hurricane to turn to the northwest . The combination of enhanced outflow from the trough and very warm waters allowed Ivan to maintain Category 5 status for 30 hours . Early on September 14 the hurricane passed through the Yucatán Channel about 17 miles ( 28 km ) southwest of Cabo San Antonio , Cuba , with the eastern portion of the eyewall crossing the western portion of the island . Only the extreme western portion of the island experienced hurricane force winds , although rainfall from the hurricane was reported across the island . 
