As Fiji battens down for one of its worst storms in years, a
storm that has already claimed one life, local Neil Harrison
says he can do little other than watch the huge swell in what
he says is usually a calm and protected bay.
Mr Harrison is on Koro Island to the east of the main island
of Viti Levu and he told NZPA today conditions after Cyclone
Tomas struck in the last 24 hours were "shocking".
The small island has about 14 villages but Mr Harrison, a
Scotsman who has lived there for four years, said because of
the high winds and downed trees, he could not get out to
check on his neighbours.
Wind gusts were reaching about 120km and he was thankful he
had left his 14 metre, two-masted ketch in a protected
harbour Savusavu on Vanua Levu.
"It is protected anchorage but it took a pretty big hit and
all communications are down. I have just heard on the radio
all of Savusavu is cut off. It is another thing to worry
about."
Mr Harrison said the bay he was on was very protected unless
there was a westerly wind.
"Right now I am looking at probably two metre waves coming in
the bay." He said he was unable to check on his neighbours.
"We can't go anywhere. There are a lot of trees down. I have
tried to reach a couple of villages but we can't get hold of
anyone." Mr Harrison said the eye of the storm was about
150km from Koro Island.
"God knows what it is like in the middle. If we are 150km
from this thing and we are copping what we are getting I
really don't know what it is like under the eye. They will be
getting twice this." He said Fiji had had good warning about
the cyclone.
"We have been watching it for about eight days building up,"
he said.
On some of the outer islands wind gusts were reaching 250kmh,
and the storm was thought to be the worst to hit the islands
for at least seven years.
Police reported Tamarisi Tabua was swept away and killed ina
sea surge. She had been taking part in a ceremony with her
family at Labasa, on the northern island of Viti Levu, when
she was swept into the sea.
Widespread damage has been reported on many of the outer
islands but the main island of Viti Levu has so far escaped
relatively unscathed.
More heavy seas and high winds were expected in the next 24
hours.
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