APCEDI Alert SP/CI 15P Rene #2-2010: Cyclone Rene moving slowly through Northern Cook's Waters

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre are issuing guidance on Cyclone Rene, a tropical cyclone that is slowly moving in through the open waters of the Northern Cook Islands.

This system is currently located 105 nautical miles (195 kms) south-southwest of Nassau Island in the Northern Cook Islands. It is moving south-aouthwest at 7 knots. Maximum sustained winds are 55 kts making Rene a strong tropical storm. Cyclone Rene is expected to slowly strengthen into tomorrow and is forecast to reach Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Most models are forecasting Cyclone Rene to move in a southwesterly motios over the next 24 hours.

On its current track, Cyclone Rene has the potential to affect a number of island groups including the Northern Cooks, Southern Cooks, American Samoa and Samoa in the short-term and thereafter may also pose a threat to Niue, Tonga and the Lau Group of Fiji. Therefore, all these island groups should exercise vigilance, listen to Government warnings and be ready to undertake cyclone preparations when called upon by local authorities

The following is an interactive list of the situation in each island group:

NORTHERN COOK ISLANDS

A TROPICAL CYCLONE GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR NASSAU (population 75).

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR PUKAPUKA (population 600) AND SUWARROW (population 1-2 caretakers).

SOUTHERN COOK ISLANDS

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR SOUTHERN COOKS WATERS.

AMERICAN SAMOA

HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MANU'A GROUP (population 1700)
A STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MANU'A GROUP (population 1700)
A STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR TUTUILA (population 55,000) AND AUNUU (population 500).

SAMOA

A GALE WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR UPOLU ISLAND (population 135,000)

NIUE

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR NIUE (population 1,400)

APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ for the complete interactive alert on Cyclone Rene.
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Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator

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