APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #5-2008: Cyclone Daman Strengthens, Shifts Course East, Threatens Vanua Levu

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that is currently bearing down on the main Fiji Group.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 155 kilometres north-northwest of the Yasawa Group or 255 kilometres north-northwest of Nadi at 6AM this morning Fiji time.

Daman is moving to the southeast at 10 km/hr, although the course has been more easterly overnight. This has shifted Daman's track eastward. The current forecast map shows Daman passing north of the Yasawas and Viti Levu, sparing them from the worst effects of the storm. Daman is now set to hit Western Vanua Levu near Oaloa Bay and the small island of Yaqaga. Cyclone Daman will then cross western Vanua Levu into the Koro Sea where it will pass near or over Namanalala and Koro Islands. From there it is set to take a track southward between Lomaiviti and Lau Groups.

Cyclone Daman has increased in intensity to a Category 2 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It will likely maintain this strength or even increase ro Category 3 before it hits Vanua Levu. Interaction with the Vanua Levu mountains will likely inhibit growth as it crosses the island still likely a Category 2 storm on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

Residents throughout Fiji need to listen to Government warnings and rush cyclone preparation activities to a finish today in line with a Category 2-3 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

At Category 2-3 strength, Daman is increasingly dangerous. Residents of Yaqaga, Western Vanua Levu, Namanalala and Koro who are currently in the direct path need to be especially careful. Communities in and around where the eye of Daman could expect storm surge generally 2-5 metres above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Unsecured structures, structures made of bush material, mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 2 metres above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.

Resident and authorities in Tonga should closely watch this system as it works its way through the Lau Group.

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF MAMANUCA GROUP, REST OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI.


TONGA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL TONGA WATERS.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre
Special Weather Bulletin Number FOURTEEN for Fiji ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN
ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 8:01am on Friday the 7th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF MAMANUCA GROUP, REST OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE [CAT 3] WAS LOCATED NEAR 15 DECIMAL 5 SOUTH 176 DECIMAL 9 EAST OR ABOUT 155 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF YASAWA OR 220 KILOMETRES NORTHWEST OF NABOUWALU OR 255 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF NADI AT 06AM TODAY. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 155 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 220 KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS NOW MOVING SOUTHEAST ABOUT 15 KM/HR.

FOR THE YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE THIS MORNING, STRENGTHENING FURTHER TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE AND THEN TO VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF UPTO 155 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 220
KM/HR LATER TODAY.

FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF MAMANUCA GROUP, REST OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE LATER TODAY. WINDS STRENGTHENING FURTHER TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF UPTO 120 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 170 KM/HR FROM TONIGHT.

OVER THE REST OF FIJI, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE OF 65 TO 85 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 110 KM/HR FROM TONIGHT.

EXPECT WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS, RIVERS AND STREAMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE.

FOR ROTUMA.
NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS FRESH AND GUSTY. PERIODS OF RAIN HEAVY AT TIMES AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS,

The following information is provided especially for the mariners: EXPECT WINDS OF VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITHIN 40 MILES OF CYCLONE CENTRE WITH PHENOMINAL SEAS. DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITHIN 60 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS TO 100 MILES WITH VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY
SWELLS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 11AM
TODAY

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APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

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