Tonga battens down for big cyclone [1]
Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 15:33. Updated on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 22:09.
A hurricane warning is now in force for the Vava'u group, as Severe Tropical Cyclone Rene, a Category 3 storm, is expected to bring destructive hurricane force winds with gusts up to 130 knots (240 km/h) around midnight tonight, with thunderstorms, phenomenal seas, and flooding; and may develop into a Category 4 force as it passes Ha'apai and Tongatapu on Monday.
Tonga's National Weather office issued the warning at 1:00 pm Sunday 14 February and a storm warning is also in force for Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua island groups, as the system moves southwest and is intensifying.
"It's pretty big," said 'Ofa Fa'anunu the Director of Meteorology at 3pm today. "It's almost at Vava'u now, but it's moving over water so we have to verify the land speed when it hits Vava'u - that may be early in the morning (Monday) around 1 am to 3 am."
On its forecast track, the Cyclone centre is expected to lie about 155km East-Northeast of Vava'u or about 430km Northeast of Nuku'alofa at 1:00 am tonight with average wind speeds of 80-90 knots (148-166 km/h) and momentary gusts 110-130 knots (200-240 km/h).
'Ofa expected the storm to intensify further. "It may be Category 4 when it reaches Ha'apai and Tongatapu."
He said that the Met office staff had been up all night and will continue to advise the National Disaster Committee (NDC) on the movement of the cyclone. The local radio has been kept up to date with the latest weather bulletins. "Let's hope people are listening," he said.
Maliu Takai of the NDC said they would be meeting at 5 p.m. today. The committee includes representatives of the Defence Services, the Police, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Works and Ministry of Finance.
Meanwhile, Tonga's fishing fleets have been recalled to port by their owners on Friday to batten down, sheltering in Vava'u and Tongatapu, with at least one long-liner arriving in Nuku'alofa port today, Sunday. Ocean-going yachts have been gathering in increasing numbers over the weekend in the Port of Refuge, Vava'u.
Other big cyclones in Tonga's recent history include Cyclone Heta a Category 5 storm in January 2004, which reached a maximum intensity of 160 mph (260 km/h) and an estimated pressure of 915 millibars before dissipating on January 11.
Cyclone Issac on 3 March 1982 was probably the most severe storm experienced in southern Tonga in more than 100 years, causing extensive damage to buildings and crops and killing six people. Winds of 92 knots were measured at Nuku'alofa during Issac.
For the latest weather bulletin on Cyclone Rene go to
SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN NUMBER TEN [2]