News update on Percy...

[senorpepr]

Cook Islands count cost of Cyclone Percy

A major clean-up is under way on the northern Cook Islands, after disaster authorities reported widespread damage after Cyclone Percy slammed into the area.

On Pukapuka island, with a population of 600, only 10 houses survived the storm, while one person reported missing was later found safe, said Chief Inspector John Tini of the Cooks Emergency Centre said.

On the neighboring island of Nassau "all the homes are reportedly severely damaged or destroyed," Chief Inspector Tini said from the main island of Rarotonga.

Chief Inspector Tini said leaders on Pukapuka and Nassau were meeting to assess their immediate needs and may evacuate the women and young children from Nassau while repairs are made.

A New Zealand Air Force Orion making a reconnaissance flight over the area located an American Samoan fishing boat 35 kilometers north of Pukapuka and dropped supplies to the crew while another fishing boat was diverted to the area.

Meanwhile Percy continued to weaken as it turned south, taking the storm away from the populated islands of the Northern Cooks.

The Fiji Meteorological Service maintained a tropical cyclone alert for the southern Cooks including a strong wind warning for Palmerston, while authorities in Niue and American Samoa were urged to remain on alert should Percy make a southwesterly turn.

There has been no contact with American Samoa's Swain's Island since before it was hit by the storm on Saturday, and a US Coastguard plane which was to make a food and medical drop on the island developed mechanical problems and had to return to Honolulu.

Three days ago Percy caused widespread damage in Tokelau and injured one person on the atoll of Fakaofo.

Tokelau telecommunications general manager Tino Vitale said a boat carrying a doctor and relief supplies was heading from the main atoll of Nukunonu for Fakaofo on Monday morning.

Percy is the fourth cyclone to batter the region during February and the Cook Islands were battered by all three earlier cyclones - Olaf, Nancy, and Meena.

STATE OF EMERGENCY IN NORTHERN COOK ISLANDS

A state of emergency has been declared in the northern Cook Islands after Cyclone Percy caused extensive damage on the islands of Pukapuka and Nassau.

Only 10 houses remain intact on Pukapuka, which has a population of 600 people.

Roads have been washed out, and there is only about a week's water supply left.

On the neighboring island of Nassau, every home has reportedly been either destroyed or severely damaged.

Attempts are being made to deliver water, food and other relief supplies to the islands.

Cyclone Percy is said to have slowed, but Cook Islands Police Commissioner, Pira Wichman says the storm is now posing a threat to islands further south, such as Palmerston Island and Suwarrow.

Percy is the fourth cyclone to hit the Cook Islands in recent weeks.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has announced it will provide almost US$40,000 to help the islands recover.

Tokelau cleans up as well...

The 1,400 people of Tokelau are faced with a massive clean-up job in the wake of Cyclone Percy, which has been described as the worst to hit the islands in living memory.

The island's administrator, Neil Walters, happened to be in Tokelau on business when the cyclone struck.

The storm coincided with spring tides which swamped the islands under up to a meter of sea water.

After a similar cyclone in 1966, much of Tokelau's population was relocated to New Zealand, as many traditional fale houses were destroyed.

But Mr Walters says that is unlikely to happen this time, and plans are already being made to rebuild.

"That's going to be pretty daunting, but again, people here are tough and resilient and they'll get on with it," he said.

"We'll send up maintenance teams, whatever is needed to supplement what they've got here."

A ship carrying the first emergency supplies is not expected to arrive in Tokelau until the weekend.

Of course, for the latest advisories on Percy, check out the Storm2K's worldwide tropical update website at http://tropicalupdates.nhcwx.com

[HURAKAN]

Horrible news, but I believe they were expected. The South Pacific is plagued of small islands that are easily destroyed by a cyclone of this magnitude. This season the South Pacific has proved that even though it doesn't produce many storms, those that generate can be very furious.