Cyclone Pat moving towards Cook Islands

PHOTO

Satellite image of Cyclone Pat, which is threatening the southern Cook Islands

Last Updated: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:48:00 +1100

Residents of an isolated atoll on the Cook Islands are being told to tie themselves to coconut trees if Cyclone Pat hits the area.

The system is intensifying, and hurricane strength winds are now being reported at its centre.

Cyclone Pat is expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rain and strong waves.

Cook Islands Met Service Director Arona Ngari says at the moment Pat is located north of the island of Aitutaki, to the north of the Southern Cooks.

He says it's headed directly for the tiny atoll of Palmerston.

Mr Ngari has told Pacific Beat, there's not a lot of land for the atoll's residents to flee to during powerful storms, and tying themselves to coconut trees is a serious option.

"I suppose they have to resort to tying themselves to coconut trees, so that they will not be blown away, but that's just a scenario we are predicting if hurricane force winds do get up to at that stage."

However, Alipate Waqaicelua, a cyclone forecaster at the Fiji Metservice's Tropical Cyclone Centre in Nadi, says Nuie is no longer threatened.

"Fortunately for Niue, it's expected to turn south away from the island in the next 48 hours or so,"