The Pacific islands of Vanuatu are currently being hammered by very severe cyclone Pam. The aftermath is expected to be bleak with flooding, storm surge and destructive winds for these remote islands
There has been plenty of tropical cyclone activity near to Australia over recent days with TC Olwyn affecting the west coast of Western Australia and TC Nathan clipping northern Queensland. Out in the western Pacific is a monster cyclone Pam. Currently battering the island group of Vanuatu after already causing flash flooding and storm damage on the Solomon Islands.
The warnings include - very Destructive hurricane force winds of 240 km/hr (nearly 150mph). Very destructive winds and very rough to phenomenal seas with heavy swells.
This storm which is equivalent to a cat. 5 hurricane is tracking southwards.Heavy to torrential rainfalls and flooding, including flash flooding are expected over low lying areas and areas close to the river banks. Landslide is also expected. Coastal flooding from storm surge is expected near and along the coastal areas.
Vanuatu is in the same time zone as New Zealand so Friday the 13th has not been the best of days, and the start of Saturday 14thcould be even worse. Pam is coming very close to Port Vila, the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Port Vila is on what should be the relatively sheltered western side of the island of Efate. The islands further south look right in line as Pam is forecast to move right by this evening UK time (13th 18z)
Warnings from Vanuatu Met service, currently on red alert- seek shelter immediately http://www.meteo.gov.vu/TropicalCyclones/Warning/tabid/172/Default.aspx
Community thread on this and other storms https://forum.netweather.tv/topic/82676-severe-tropical-cyclone-pam/page-2in
in general weather/ extreme weather worldwide category
Next week Pam will be heading for New Zealand, early warnings already out
"Cyclone Pam, currently located near Vanuatu, is forecast to track southwards over the coming days and pass east of the country during Monday and Tuesday. There is some uncertainty as to how close to the North Island the eventual cyclone track will be, however, it has the potential to be a significant event, with strong south to southeast winds and rain expected over much of the North Island during Monday, along with large seas and swells about the east coast" New Zealand Met Service
