FIJI takes a hit!

[GoingWalkabout]

Originally Posted by ravinracin

So sad to see the terrible things so many people are going thru all over the world. This will become very commonplace in the near future because the governments of the world choose profits and big business interest over dealing with climate change. I fear there won't be much cruising in this new world we are creating. I think we all know using carbon based energy has to almost completely stop. We are just not willing to do that. Easter Island in a very big way and this time we will take the oceans with us.

What the heck. Hurricanes caused by the change in the weather. Just nuts. Hurricanes have been part of the climate for thousands of years. Your alarmism is probably beyond a treatable condition.


Now getting back on topic and away from the foil hat crowd I pray everyone gets through this without any loss of life.

[Paul L]

t's the strongest storm Fiji has ever seen.

Weatherwatch.co.nz said Winston's eye made landfall in the north of the island last night, and did its worst for about an hour before shifting back out to sea.

At the Fiji Met Service, forecaster Amit Singh said the system was over land for two to three hours.

"Houses have blown, roofs have blown, trees... and there's a power cut over the whole of Viti Levu."

A state of natural disaster has been declared in Fiji, and local media say roads have been washed out or blocked by slips.

Yachts, the power network and houses have been damaged, and a bus was washed inland by a strong tidal wave.

Cyclone Winston tears through Fiji

[Paul L]

And in Savusavu

Reports that have come in confirm that yachts, electric poles and houses are the worst affected.

[patprice]

Little movie of Copra Shed at Savu Savu getting a beating. No sign of any yachts but likely there were on moorings near the Shed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZodSkHxq6I

[JPA Cate]

^^^^

Lots of people leave their boats in Savusavu*, on Vanua Levu (the northern larger island), and many, at Vunda Point. We may learn more from a friend whose friend is at the isolated Port Davey on someone else's boat, right now, when she is notified about her boat.

Soon, we'll be told more. At this point, it sounds as if many people made it to evacuation centers, where it is hoped they are safe. Plans for aid are already beginning to be implemented, and this is before they even know the extent of the damage.

Ann

*And, in balance, the possibilities of storms like these are why many insurance companies won't insure the boat when it's in a cyclone zone. Of course, also, bigger, stronger, more easterly cyclones were predicted for this particular season. This does not help the plights of the victims, but for the yachties, it is a calculated decision, and the reason why the prudent offshore sailor does not leave the boat in the cyclone areas.

[apropos43]

I spent 4 weeks sailing around Fiji about 6 months ago. We visited lots of small villages and were amazing at the friendliness and generosity of the Fijians. I pray for the safety of all the people there and hope they recover from this quickly. Unfortunately I left my boat at Vuda Point marina in a cyclone pit and have no idea how she fared. I'm flying back to Fiji in 5 weeks and plan on bringing as much relief supplies as possible.

I haven't heard from Vuda Point marina or my boat caretaker yet. Does anyone have any info on the condition of the boats there?

[Celestialsailor]

To all the climate deniers and alarmist (you know who you are). There is a thread currently on climate change closing in on around 3000 posts, so far. Maybe exercise your conservative or liberal ideals (depending on the side you're on) over there.
I doubt the poor bastards in Fiji could give a flying fart at this point while they hang onto life by a thread. Have a little respect and sharpen your axes somewhere else.

[Celestialsailor]

This is the middle of the cyclone season for the south pacific. I'm wondering if El Nino is a factor or if that influences the north pacific only?

[JPA Cate]

Yes, Celestial Sailor,

El Nino has its effects here. Queensland is drier, cyclones tend to go farther west than in La Nina years, even getting to the Societies, occasionally, and a lower number of hits on Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Here in Tasmania, the tongue of warmer water extends so far south that we saw a flying fish (!!!) off the northeast coast, at New Year's Eve. Lots of great white activity on the New South Wales coast; additionally some New Zealanders report orcas chasing great whites up a creek outside of Auckland, something he had not seen before.

If you're interested, and have time, Google on the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and you'll get a better idea of the broad picture.

Ann

[GoingWalkabout]

Some cam sites for Fiji

Plantation Island | The Home of Plantation Island Resort*Fiji

Encounter Outright

[svmariane]

This beast continues to meander hither and you.....

Look where she originated then note the change(s) from predicted/probable path when she was southish of Pago Pago to where she actually went - right through Fiji

Freakish, no? And the beat goes on.

Source: US Navy Tropical Cyclone pages. Feb 18 & Feb 20, 2016

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Yes, Celestial Sailor,

El Nino has its effects here. Queensland is drier, cyclones tend to go farther west than in La Nina years, even getting to the Societies, occasionally, and a lower number of hits on Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Here in Tasmania, the tongue of warmer water extends so far south that we saw a flying fish (!!!) off the northeast coast, at New Year's Eve. Lots of great white activity on the New South Wales coast; additionally some New Zealanders report orcas chasing great whites up a creek outside of Auckland, something he had not seen before.

If you're interested, and have time, Google on the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and you'll get a better idea of the broad picture.

Ann

And EL Niño also brings much drier conditions to PNG. Which is not good.

But less chance of a cyclone in the region when I am planning to cross the Coral Sea again next month. Which is good

[JPA Cate]

Wow, Stu,

Keep an eye on the Wx, mate. That's just a tad over a week away.

Ann

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Yes, Celestial Sailor,

El Nino has its effects here. Queensland is drier, cyclones tend to go farther west than in La Nina years, even getting to the Societies, occasionally, and a lower number of hits on Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Here in Tasmania, the tongue of warmer water extends so far south that we saw a flying fish (!!!) off the northeast coast, at New Year's Eve. Lots of great white activity on the New South Wales coast; additionally some New Zealanders report orcas chasing great whites up a creek outside of Auckland, something he had not seen before.

If you're interested, and have time, Google on the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and you'll get a better idea of the broad picture.

Ann

Thanx Ann...currently on board in a yard her in Mx. Internet limited. Anything with a picture freezes up my CPU. Thanx for the info.

[GordMay]

CBC News ➥ Fiji scrambles to restore power as powerful Cyclone Winston kills 6 - World - CBC News