4 people reported to be injured after Cyclone Cook hit New Caledonia

Four people are reported to have been injured in New Caledonia after Cyclone Cook crossed the main island overnight.

The storm struck as a category 3 system when it hit yesterday but has since weakened while moving away to the south.

The alert has been lifted and people are allowed out of their homes and shelters to assess the damage.

Firefighters are now out clearing debris from the island's roads.

Power has been restored to some towns in the north.

The storm's centre passed about 100 kilometres to the west of Noumea, sparing the territory's most densely populated areas.

French media reports, on the east coast, a total of 350mm of rain fell in 24 hours.

The south of the main island was still being lashed by the storm and people are advised to be cautious.

Thousands of homes lost power when the cyclone made landfall yesterday.

Source: Radio NZ