APCEDI Alert SP/Tn 14F Lin #4-2009: Cyclone Crosses Over Tongatapu Group and Moves into the Southern Ocean

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre are issuing guidance on Cyclone Lin, a tropical cyclone that has now cleared Tonga and is moving into the Southern Ocean.

Cyclone Lin is currently located 150 nautical miles (278 kms) south of the Tongan capital, Nuku'alofa on Tongatapu. Lin is moving south at 15 knots and is expected to maintain a south to south east course as it moves into the Southern Ocean away from Tonga.

Cyclone Lin is now moving away from Tonga and thus, any threat from the storm is diminishing. The Cyclone Warning for Tonga has been discontinued in the last few hours. Earlier today Lin crossed over Tongatapu and 'Eua as a Category 2 storm on the Australian Cyclone Severity Scale.

Category 2 equates to minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small craft may break moorings. Localised coastal and lowland flooding is also likely.

Initial reports from Nuku'alofa, 'Eua and the rest of the Tongatapu Group as well as from the Ha'apai Group report widespread damage to crops and fruit trees such as banana and breadfruit; flooding of low-lying areas, streets and yards; coastal erosion and widespread minor damage to structures. Some evacuations of low-lying areas were conducted on Tongatapu. No serious injuries or deaths have been reported, and no major structural damage has been reported. Government assessments will commence tomorrow across these groups.

All interests in effected areas of Tongatapu and 'Eua should continue to monitor local warnings and follow all Government advice as Cyclone Lin moves away from the area.

CURRENT WARNINGS

TONGA

THE TROPICAL CYCLONE GALE WARNING PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR TONGATAPU GROUP, EUA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS IS NOW CANCELLED.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR TONGA.

Tonga Warning from the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number NINETEEN for Tonga ON TROPICAL CYCLONE LIN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI
Apr 05/1022 UTC 2009 UTC.

THE TROPICAL CYCLONE GALE WARNING PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR TONGATAPU GROUPS, EUA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS IS NOW CANCELLED.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR TONGA.

TROPICAL CYCLONE LIN [975HPA] CAT 2 CENTRE WAS LOCATED NEAR 23 DECIMAL 6 SOUTH 174 DECIMAL 8 WEST OR ABOUT 130 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF EUA AND ABOUT 150 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF NUKU'ALOFA AT 050900 UTC. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE SUSTAINED WINDS OF 60 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 80 KNOTS. THE CYCLONE IS CURRENTLY MOVING SOUTH AT ABOUT 15 KNOTS, HOWEVER, IT IS EXPECTED TO CURVE SOUTHEAST LATER. ON THIS TRACK, THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO LIE ABOUT 200 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF EUA AND ABOUT 220 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF NUKU'ALOFA AT 051500 UTC. CYCLONE CONTINUES TO MOVE FURTHER AWAY FROM TONGA.

FOR TONGATAPU GROUPS, EUA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS: WINDS GRADUALLY EASING TO NORTHWESTERLY 20 TO 30 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 40 KNOTS. PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.

FOR THE NIUAS, VAVAU, HA'APAI AND NOMUKA GROUPS: NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 40 KNOTS. PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS: FOR SOUTHERN TONGA WATERS, WINDS GRADUALLY EASING TO NORTHWESTLY 25 TO 30 KNOTS GUSTING TO 45 KNOTS.

FOR THE REST OF TONGA WATERS, NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 40 KNOTS.

ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS. POOR VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.

THIS WILL BE THE FINAL SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR TONGA UNLESS THE SITUATION CHANGES. THE NEXT BULLETIN WILL BE THE ROUTINE BULLETIN ISSUED BY TONGA METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS BULLETIN.

APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.
___________________________________________
Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

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