South Pacific Lashed By Spectacular Twin Cyclones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 17, 2010 -- On the 14th March, 2010 Fiji’s streets of were eerily empty, as Tropical Cyclone Tomas drew near the northern islands. Schools closed, public services were suspended and international flights cancelled, as a night-time curfew was put into operation.

Matt Beeterhoven, senior forecastor for the Fiji Meteorological Service said “Wind gusts were peaking at around 230 mph”.

On Tuesday morning the nation’s Disaster Council, chaired by Fiji’s self-appointed Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, declared a state of emergency for the northern and eastern parts of the country. Up to eight metre ocean surges and rising rivers were reported.

Up to 17,000 people evacuated to 240 centres across the country. Tropical Cyclone Tomas, was a category 4, (out of a possible 5), with wind speeds between 131 and 155 mph. Moving at only 4 mph, the slow speed of the Cyclone increased the level of potential danger.

Tamarisi Tabua, 31 year old, is the only reported death to date, though dozens of others were injured. Before being swept away with strong waves on Vanua Levu, Tabua saved her sisters and two children.

TC Tomas was predicted to drop to a category 3 (winds of 111-130 mph) late on Tuesday, back to a category 2 by Wednesday. The cyclone is one of the strongest to hit Fiji for many years.

In the meantime, another Category 4, Tropical Cyclone Ului, lashed the South Pacific, also moving at 4mph, hitting the southern-most parts of the Solomon Islands.

Originating in the northern part of archipelago of the Vanuatu islands, as a tropical storm, Ului did a tiny sharp dog leg north before travelling west. Gathering in strength, it briefly became a category 5, (winds over 156, mph) before turning south, south west toward the Australian coast.

Warnings were issued in Australia on Sunday, 14th March. As TC Ului neared the Australian coast it was predicted to decrease to a category 1 (wind gusts between 74-95 mph) by Thursday and remain at sea, according to the Queensland weather bureau.

TC Ului is on the fourth anniversary of the TC Larry, category 5, which hit Innisfail, March 20, 2006. The high winds affected an area 150 km in each direction from the eye of the storm. This was the first category 5 Cyclone to hit the Queensland coast in 30 years.

Officials admit the path of Tropical Cylcone Ului is unpredictable.

About Tropical Cyclone Tomas
For more information:http://winaresort.com/blog/blog/?p=509
Feel free to contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org

###

Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) provide high school education grants for children who are without hope. You can help in this really great project by taking a few minutes to check out the Sponsor a Student program at Win a Resort (http://winaresort.com). It really will change your life.