Daman moved eastwards

from w
Seems that the brunt of the hurricane has skirted the coastline of Macuata and by now has passed the small rocky island of Cikobia north of Udu Point the eastern tip of Vanua Levu. This has been fortunate for the people in Labasa and along the coast although everyone copped very heavy rain and wind I expect. Some of the islands in Lau are now in danger.

From Fiji Times: Evacuees return home
0646 FJT
Saturday, December 08, 2007

Update: 6.46am PEOPLE who had sought shelter at evacuation centres in Labasa are expected to return to their homes this morning, says Labasa DISMAC officer, Vili Ravai. Mr Ravai said the weather in Labasa had improved since last night after Daman passed Cikobia this morning. ''The weather is fine with no rain and no strong winds,'' he said. A figure could not be placed on the number of people that stayed overnight at the two evacuation centres - Naduna College and the Civic Centre.
Yesterday, Labasa town had to close around midday as Daman threatened to strike Vanua Levu.

and tribewanted on Vorovoro Island

from their chief's blogsite:
Posted by Aaron Wheeler 6 hours ago
Island manager Kimbo sent this update:
hi guys,

unfortunately it looks like Vorovoro is going to take another battering in the next 48 hours. tropical cyclone Damon is heading straight for Labasa, after spinning around and gaining intensity about 350km off the NW coast of fiji.

The team on the island have shifted everything they can into tui malis house to try and protect it. over the last few weeks we have worked hard on making preparations and emergency procedures for the next cyclone, so this weekend will prove if again, vorovoro can stand up to mother nature and not be defeated.

myself, craig and anna are currently in nadi, (due to head back on tuesday). we are getting regular updates from the guys on the island. they are all ok. they know whats coming and its just a matter of sitting it out, and then a huge clear up operation afterwards if we take a direct hit……the front of the storm is on the island now, with the centre to hit around 8pm tonight. ..with nadi taking a smaller hit overnight.

duncan, julia, carol, chief alisi, tribe member jon depa and gilo, and the vorovoro family are all together and safe. we wish them well, im sure they will be!

will keep you updated…

naka
kimbo

Posted by Ben 22 minutes ago
I spoke with Giles on Vorovoro earlier today (Friday) and they were well prepared.

Unfortunately it does look like the eye of the storm, which has now been upgraded to a hurricane in some reports, will be hitting Labasa pretty much as I write.

This could have significant damage to the island villages. We’ll just have to hope that it isn’t as bad as it is forecast. I have no doubt that the tribe members, team and family, however, will all be safe.

We’ll keep you posted.

Ben

and tribewanted on Vorovoro Island

from their chief's blogsite:
Posted by Aaron Wheeler 6 hours ago
Island manager Kimbo sent this update:
hi guys,

unfortunately it looks like Vorovoro is going to take another battering in the next 48 hours. tropical cyclone Damon is heading straight for Labasa, after spinning around and gaining intensity about 350km off the NW coast of fiji.

The team on the island have shifted everything they can into tui malis house to try and protect it. over the last few weeks we have worked hard on making preparations and emergency procedures for the next cyclone, so this weekend will prove if again, vorovoro can stand up to mother nature and not be defeated.

myself, craig and anna are currently in nadi, (due to head back on tuesday). we are getting regular updates from the guys on the island. they are all ok. they know whats coming and its just a matter of sitting it out, and then a huge clear up operation afterwards if we take a direct hit……the front of the storm is on the island now, with the centre to hit around 8pm tonight. ..with nadi taking a smaller hit overnight.

duncan, julia, carol, chief alisi, tribe member jon depa and gilo, and the vorovoro family are all together and safe. we wish them well, im sure they will be!

will keep you updated…

naka
kimbo

Posted by Ben 22 minutes ago
I spoke with Giles on Vorovoro earlier today (Friday) and they were well prepared.

Unfortunately it does look like the eye of the storm, which has now been upgraded to a hurricane in some reports, will be hitting Labasa pretty much as I write.

This could have significant damage to the island villages. We’ll just have to hope that it isn’t as bad as it is forecast. I have no doubt that the tribe members, team and family, however, will all be safe.

We’ll keep you posted.

Ben
-----------
and posted on 8th November:
On the morning of the 8th, Cyclone Damone has been downgraded and is now barely on the threshold of hurricane force winds, about 120 kmph. Vorovoro has clearing skys this morning with minimal cleanup to do. Not only have all of the structures survived, but the gardens have not washed away!
-------
Very good news.

update on hurricane warning

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.