Authorities are imploring residents of New Zealand to prepare for the arrival of Cyclone Pam after the storm pounded several South Pacific islands before intensifying into a dangerous Category 5 cyclone early on Friday.
The cyclone slammed into the Solomon Islands early on Friday morning local time, destroying homes and plantations, forcing many residents to hide in caves in search of shelter from the dangerous winds and tidal surge from the storm. Workers from New Zealand have been left stranded in Tuvalu, and an emergency red alert has been activated on the island of Vanuatu.
As of now, no deaths have been associated with the storm, although injuries have been reported on the island of Tikopia. No contact has been made with residents of two other remote islands, Duff and Anuta, after the cyclone cut off communications. The United Nations as well as UNICEF have been placed on standby to respond to the storm-damaged area if needed.
Civil defense authorities are urging residents of New Zealand in the potential path of Cyclone Pam to begin emergency preparations before the storm is set to begin affecting the region late on Sunday evening local time. Torrential rains, heavy winds, significant beach erosion and a potentially high tidal storm surge can be expected. The storm is expected to have an impact on parts of New Zealand at least through Wednesday of next week, meteorologists have warned, urging people to take this storm very seriously.
Although the storm can be expected to weaken considerably as it skirts the islands of New Zealand, it will remain a potentially devastating storm with the ability to cause damage and loss of life, if residents are unprepared and without emergency provisions. Authorities caution people in the path of the cyclone to have a minimum of a three-day supply of potable water and food and to evacuate low-lying regions or areas prone to coastal flooding.
The area is certainly seeing a very active season, as no less than four tropical storm systems are currently being monitored in the region, including Pam.
The cyclone slammed into the Solomon Islands early on Friday morning local time, destroying homes and plantations, forcing many residents to hide in caves in search of shelter from the dangerous winds and tidal surge from the storm. Workers from New Zealand have been left stranded in Tuvalu, and an emergency red alert has been activated on the island of Vanuatu.
As of now, no deaths have been associated with the storm, although injuries have been reported on the island of Tikopia. No contact has been made with residents of two other remote islands, Duff and Anuta, after the cyclone cut off communications. The United Nations as well as UNICEF have been placed on standby to respond to the storm-damaged area if needed.
Civil defense authorities are urging residents of New Zealand in the potential path of Cyclone Pam to begin emergency preparations before the storm is set to begin affecting the region late on Sunday evening local time. Torrential rains, heavy winds, significant beach erosion and a potentially high tidal storm surge can be expected. The storm is expected to have an impact on parts of New Zealand at least through Wednesday of next week, meteorologists have warned, urging people to take this storm very seriously.
Although the storm can be expected to weaken considerably as it skirts the islands of New Zealand, it will remain a potentially devastating storm with the ability to cause damage and loss of life, if residents are unprepared and without emergency provisions. Authorities caution people in the path of the cyclone to have a minimum of a three-day supply of potable water and food and to evacuate low-lying regions or areas prone to coastal flooding.
The area is certainly seeing a very active season, as no less than four tropical storm systems are currently being monitored in the region, including Pam.