Residents in Tonga's low lying coastal areas may experience flooding on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12, as a high tide of over 1.85 meters is expected.

Tonga Met today warns of the extreme high tide asking members of the public, residents and boat owners to take extra precautions.

Certain areas in Tonga are vulnerable to coastal flooding. The Director for the National Emergency Management Office, Leveni ‘Aho, said that these areas include low lying coastal villages such as Popua and other villages along the water at Hihifo between Fo’ui and Kanokupolu and Ahau, as well as villages in Hahake such as Navutoka.

Leveni expected that at 1.85m the tide can cause a little flooding but the extremity also would depend on other weather factors.

“Normally if there are rough seas, and the waves are wind driven, then higher than normal flooding will occur. The worst scenario is if there is a cyclone warning, then flooding levels will be a lot higher,” he said.

“There is a cyclone or depression starting up in Samoa but hopefully by the time it gets here the tide will have reduced,” he said.

“We would like people to know that the extreme high tide is coming and they need to be ready as nothing can stop water. As long as people know before it happens, they can make plans.”

More weather advice will be issued by Tonga Met this week as they monitor the depression forming in northern Samoan waters.