Tropical Cyclone Becky

[Kiwi]

Tropical storm Becky is forecast to strike Vanuatu as a tropical cyclone at about 12:00 GMT on 27 March.

Data supplied by the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Center suggest that the point of landfall will be near 14.6 S, 166.1 E. Becky is expected to bring 1-minute maximum sustained winds to the region of around 129 km/h (80 mph). Wind gusts in the area may be considerably higher.


According to the Saffir-Simpson damage scale the potential property damage and flooding from a storm of Becky's strength (category 1) at landfall includes:

• Storm surge generally 1.2-1.5 metres (4-5 feet) above normal.
• No real damage to building structures.
• Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees.
• Some damage to poorly constructed signs.
• Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.

There is also the potential for flooding further inland due to heavy rain.

The information above is provided for guidance only and should not be used to make life or death decisions or decisions relating to property. Anyone in the region who is concerned for their personal safety or property should contact their official national weather agency or warning centre for advice.

This alert is provided by Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) which is sponsored by Benfield, Royal & SunAlliance, Crawford & Company and University College London (UCL). TSR acknowledges the support of the UK Met Office.

[Grant]

Flood and weather warnings have been issued for the Southern Islands of Vanuatu, as they feel the impact of Tropical Cyclone Becky.

The cyclone did not come ashore in Vanuatu, but headed along the west coast, causing rough seas, high winds and heavy rain.

The cyclone is expected to affect New Caledonia on Thursday.

Duty Forecaster at the Vanuatu Meteorological Service Allan Rarai says flood and weather warnings are current for Southern Islands.

"The warning is specifically for the islands of Efate, Island of Efate and the offshore Islands, and the islands of Erromango, Tanna, and the rest of the Southern Islands."

"It is a category 2 but it will weaken in the next 12 hours as it passes New Caledonia," said Fiji meteorological director Rajendra Prasad. "As it weakens it will move south of New Caledonia and then dissipate westward."

The peak cyclone season in the South Pacific runs from February to March, with storms forming northeast of Australia and either travelling southwest towards South Pacific island nations like Vanuatu and Fiji or towards the Australian coast.