Cyclone damage in Neiafu, Tonga

[MarkJ]

Neiafu, Vava'u group in Tonga has been hit but a cat 4 cyclone.
I know there will be some cruisers there as not everyone heads on to Australia or to new Zealand.

So Would appreciate any news on damage.

I understand one of the warfes in Neiafu has been washed away but dont know which one.

Mr Aho itok taim win ibin kamaputim rof bilong sampela sios insait long Vava'u, i luk olsem cyclone Ian ino kamapim bigpela bagarap tumas olsem ol ibin ting bai mekim.

Em itok ol ibin joinim ken ol pawa long big taun bilong Neiafu antap long Vava'u island na oli ting ol bai joinim olgeta narapela hap tu insait long narapela 24 awa.

Inogat ol ripot long pipol idai or kisim bagarap long olgeta hap bilong kantri.

Deputy prime minister Samiu Kuita Vaipulu ibin tokim ol ripota olsem , win ibin brukim daun sampela long ol haus insait long Foa.

But my pidgin only tells me there was some roofs blown off.(I think!)

[Boatguy30]

Had some people we knew starting a business and putting a "hurricane" mooring for there yacht in 2006. Not sure if they are still there, but will be interesting to hear how the few permanent cruisers fared.


Also the "ark gallery" if they are still around.

[JPA Cate]

Mark J:

Just read on yahoo news that an estimated 70% of the buildings on Lifuka and Fao in the Ha'apai group had been levelled, while the people sheltered predominantly in the churches, which are being used as coordination of relief centers. Two navy boats are reported on their way with tarpaulins and tents to the stricken area. The article reported one death. That particular article did not report on any damage either in Tongatapu or in Neiafu.

Ann

[GordMay]

There's been one reported death and emergency officials in Tonga say up to 70 percent of homes and buildings in the Ha'apai Group have either been damaged or wiped out by Cyclone Ian.

Read more ➥ NZ Air Force Orion assesses Tonga damage after Cyclone Ian - Story - World - 3 News

Cyclone Ian ➥ Tropical Cyclone Ian Lashes Tonga, Destroys Homes, Kills at Least 1 - weather.com

[MarkJ]

Thanks Gord, Ann and Boat guy.

Ha'apai buildings are only of wood so not quite permanent in front a cat 4 and the locals would have moved into the churches as the only stone buildings. They seem to have got the direct hit.
But no cruisers would be in the Ha'apai group during hurricane season, i hope.

To only have one killed is extraordinary, just the flying coconuts, a staple of all these islands, would kill on contact.

The Ark Gallery, was, i think a wooden hut on stilts above the water in a cove, off a cove, off a bay... But if there was storm surge is wouldnt survive... But then the low lying ha'apai would be inundated too.

[StuM]

> But my pidgin only tells me there was some roofs blown off.(I think!)

Mr Aho reports that some church roofs were damaged, looks like damage is not as great as first thought. Power back on it town and should be fully restored in area within 24 hours. No news of death or injury. DPM reports some houses destroyed at Foa.

[svDemara]

The Ark Gallery is still a floating art gallery, and its cyclone moorings and residents are fine.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, svDemara.

Thanks for the update.

[boatman61]

Wot ^^^^^GORD^^^^^ said...

[matauwhi]

G'day, Mates. Cyclone season is truely underway. Another one is currently taking aim at New Caledonia and then forecasted to head down to New Zealand in the next couple of days. Better check the mooring lines this weekend. Cheers.