APCEDI Alert SP/NC 15P/10F Innis #1-2009: Cyclone Alert Issued for New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie)

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre are issuing guidance on Cyclone Innis, a minimal tropical storm that has formed over New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie).

This system passed across central and southern Vanuatu yesterday as a tropical depression causing only very minor wind damage, and strengthened into a minimal cyclone early this morning as it approached New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie). Meteo France has issued an 'orange alert (l'alerte cyclonique orange)'for the East Coast of Grande Terre and for the Iles Loyauté of Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga and Maré. A'yellow alert (pré-alerte jaune)' has been issued for the remainder of Grande Terre.

These alerts are specificaly detailed below:

L'Alerte Cyclonique Orange: Soyez très vigilant; des phénomènes météorologiques dangereux sont prévus ; tenez-vous au courant de l'évolution météorologique et suivez les conseils émis par le Haut-Commissariat.Dans le cas des alertes cycloniques, l'alerte cyclonique orange signifie qu'une dépression tropicale forte ou un cyclone menace le Territoire dans les 24 heures.

Pré-Alerte Jaune: Soyez attentifs, si vous pratiquez des activités sensibles au risque météorologique ; des phénomènes habituels dans la région, mais occasionnellement dangereux (ex: temps modérément pluvieux, averses localement fortes, vent soutenu avec rafales) sont en effet prévus; tenez-vous au courant de l'évolution météorologique. Dans le cas des alertes cycloniques, le jaune correspond à la Pré-alerte.

The cyclone should pass over New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie) this evening and be in the Southern Ocean by tomorrow. Minimal damage is expected given the weak nature of the storm, but it still has the potential to caused localised wind damage and pose localised threats to low-lying areas prone to flooding and beach erosion.

All interests in New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie) should monitor the storm carefully and follow all government advice.

APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system, although this will likely be the last APCEDI Alert for this minimal system as it passes into the Southern Ocean.
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Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

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