from w
The latest is that the path of the hurricane has changed and it now heads for the middle of Vanua Levu so Labasa people are waiting for that terrible wind and rain to intensify. Isa lei, they suffer so much with flood damage and now this. We pray that they will be safe. Buses are not running, everyone is battening down in their homes, planes are grounded and all boats, we hope, have found a safe harbour.
A news item from 3 p.m. is here.
later 2.45 p.m. East Australian time.
I rang Labasa a few minutes ago and the phones are still working. I talked to one of our girls at Tuatua housing and she said she worked for a halfday then they were sent home. She said the hurricane is raging there now and all the shutters were up. She said it will intensify and be worse later on in the afternoon. A comment I posted before was premature - it is still going on in Labasa at present.
Hello we are praying fervently for your ppl there with Hurricane Daman heading toward Labasa! Our daughter is there with a team from Samaritan's Purse, so they will be going thru it with you!
ReplyDeleteCarmel
Hello Carmel,
ReplyDeleteI just got an email from a niece in New Zealand who got a message from her cousin in Labasa that the hurricane has already gone through Labasa, so the news is a few hours late it seems. Let's hope as you say that everyone got through it safely.
w.
Carmel,
ReplyDeleteMy niece thought that the message was that the hurricane had passed through but I phoned our young relative in Labasa and she said it is still going on.
w.
Thanks Wendy,
ReplyDeleteBut I think the hurricane is going thru at 9pm their time. The meterology map says 21:00 hrs. So that'd be 7pm Qld time.
Sorry I didn't realise that you were in Geelong, Vic before!
Thanks for letting me know, I'll check back if you comment again.
:) Carmel
Here is the latest map as at 2:20pm, EST
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=news
so it's moved over near Labasa...but it's changed course quite a bit overnight, so who knows what will happen! can only trust the Lord of the wind and the waves!
Quite a change of circumstances. I hope everyone has sense enough to move to high ground and stay indoors until this storm passes.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy very good friend is just outside Savusavu and completely in harm's way, they couldn't make it to town in time, but are in an elevated village w/ concrete buildings. My prayers are with him and his group, and with the people you know as well.
D
It would be timely if a person of high status made a speech on the radio to the people - to take care, protect and shelter your families and also look out for your neighbours.
ReplyDeleteThe radio in Fiji is a lifeline for the people to know at what stage the hurricane is moving and it's essential that the information is correct as there has been unfortunate loss of life during other cyclones because people did not know the reality of their situation, the high tides etc.
w.
Thank you popsecrets for your prayers! I think lots of people are praying and it's good to see that the cyclone may not touch Vanua Levu at all, which will be good. Glad to hear that your friend is in an elevated place with concrete walls.
ReplyDeleteWendy did Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni speak on the radios today? I think I heard a recording of him talking about the weather to a radio station. I don't know very much about him, you'd know if he is a "person of high status"
:) Carmel
Wow - looks like Daman will miss BOTH of the big islands of Fiji! Unfortunately some small ones, and Cikobia will not be spared, but soon it will be in the open ocean. I am still awaiting contact from my friend and his group - but I think we can all be assured that there isn't as much damage as there could've been.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all.
Carmel and Pop,
ReplyDeleteIt's fortunte the people were spared the fierce wind of the hurricane. Re person with status - I mean someone like the Interim PM or the President but the President is apparently overseas for a medical.
w.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteWell we were really thankful that the hurricane missed the main islands, but Cikobia was hit badly. Imagine if it really did intensify and hit Vanua Levu?!! I was glad to check on Sunday and see that it didn't go onto Tonga or other islands south, just deintensified.
Our daughter got home o.k. and really enjoyed her experience!
Nice to chat with you all!
Hope you have a lovely Christmas with family and friends and God's blessings for the New Year!
:) Carmel
Carmel, I hope you had a lovely Christmas Day and a peaceful week towards the New Year. Glad to hear your daughter got home safely. The Air Pacific flights were really mucked up for a few weeks with the back log and then engine troubles, etc.
ReplyDeletew.