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2010-02-11 04:32:22 - Tropical Storm - Cook Islands EDIS CODE: TC-20100211-24890-COK
Date & Time: 2010-02-11 04:32:22 [UTC]
Area: Cook Islands, , Statewide, Event exciting : Cyclone Pat
Damage level: Moderate (Level 2)
Not confirmed information! Description: Prime Minister Jim Marurai has declared a state of emergency for the Island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands on Thursday after the luxury holiday destination suffered major damage from the cyclone hit there. The island took a battering from Cyclone Pat on Thursday morning and up to 90 percent of houses have damage to their roofs. The cyclone is about 25 nautical miles south-west of Aitutaki and about 120 nautical miles north of the main island, Rarotonga. The Disaster Management Office in Rarotonga said the cyclone has caused serious damage to Aitutaki. Inspector Tere Pati said the path of the cyclone is now slightly off Aitutaki and it is possible the cyclone could hit Rarotonga on Thursday night. "A lot of houses have been damaged, trees were uprooted, and the road has been blocked by fallen trees and debris, no power to the island, the communication is down, but they trying at the moment to get the communication back on," the radio quoted him as saying. He said no deaths have been reported but injuries are likely, though it's difficult to assess the situation because of the lack of communication. The Cook Islands Police Commissioner, Maara Tetava said tourist resorts in Aitutaki appear to have weathered the storm and the airport seems to be intact. He said the island's population of about 2000 people, are hunkering down as Cyclone Pat passes. Schools and government departments on the main island of Rarotonga was closed on Thursday.
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