TC Rae intensifies bringing more rain, strong winds and flooding

Houses have been destroyed and blown away, with farms ruined as Tropical Cyclone Rae passed through Tuvuca Village which is located offshore from the island of Vanuabalavu with torrential rain and winds causing damage this morning.

A school teacher at Tuvuca Village School Mereseini Waqali Tabaiwalu says the school is currently serving as an evacuation centre, sheltering about 4 to 5 families and she is glad that everyone is safe at the moment.

Tabaiwalu says the strong winds picked up early this morning when they were sleeping and they are glad that preparatory work had begun yesterday as they had expected the cyclone to pick up and hit them today.

She says they are working with the village headman to ascertain the needs and the damages done so far.

She says the wind has slowed down but there is debris everywhere.

Tabaiwalu says the second evacuation centre is the women’s community hall.

She is urging the government if food supplies can be delivered to the island and housing assistance as a few houses have been destroyed.

The people of Rabi Island started experiencing the impact of Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Rae since 2 this morning.

Speaking to fijivillage News, Beniamino Vosotia says the wind speed and strength started picking up this morning.

He says the strong wind is accompanied by heavy rain.

Meanwhile, a teacher from Totoya Secondary School says they are currently experiencing heavy rain and strong winds.

He says they are very fortunate and thankful to the Ministry for closing the schools.

People from Wainikoro, Lagalaga, Wavuwavu and Duavata in Labasa have started to experience the impact of Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Rae with strong wind and heavy rain.

Joseva Ravutugaga, an officer from Wainikoro Police Station, has confirmed to fijivillage News, that people prefer to stay at their homes due to the impact of strong winds.

Ravutugaga says they have not received any reports of flooding from the nearby areas, however, they are urging people to take precautions and be prepared.

The Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Rae will intensify further into a severe tropical cyclone later today.

The Nadi Weather Office says the centre of Cyclone Rae is located 50km West-Northwest of Vanuabalavu or about 60km East-Southeast of Taveuni.

It is moving in a South-Southwest direction at about 15km/hr towards the Lau group.

A Gale Warning remains in force for the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu, Cakaudrove province and Southern Bua, Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti Group.

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the rest of Vanua Levu, Northeastern parts of Viti Levu from Tailevu North through Ra-Rakiraki up to Tavua, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the whole Fiji group.

Cat 2 Tropical Cyclone Rae lies just to the Northeast of Vanua Levu and it is expected to further intensify while tracking South-Southwest over the Lau group.

People are urged to store water for at least two to three days.

The Water Authority of Fiji is advising people not to take Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Rae lightly and is requesting people to be well prepared.

For any further inquiries, customers can call 3346777 and 5777 or email contact@waf.com.fj.

Tropical Cyclone Rae is now a Category 2 and is expected to intensify into a severe tropical cyclone from later today.

The Nadi Weather Office says the centre of Cyclone Rae is located about 80km East of Udu Point or about 110km Northeast of Taveuni.

It is moving in a South-southwest direction at about 15km/hr towards the Lau group.

A Hurricane Warning is in force for the Moala Group.

A Storm Warning is in force for Vanua Balavu, Tuvuca, Lakeba, Moce, Cicia, Nayau, Mago, Yacata, Katafaga, Oneata, Namuka-i-Lau, Kabara, Katoa, Fulaga, Nairai and Gau.

A gale warning remains in force for the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu, Cakaudrove province and Southern Bua, Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti Group.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Vanua Levu, Northeastern parts of Viti Levu from Tailevu North through Ra-Rakiraki up to Tavua, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the whole Fiji group.

Cat 2 Tropical Cyclone Rae lies just to the Northeast of Vanua Levu and it is expected to further intensify while tracking South-southwest towards the Lau group.

For Vanua Balavu, Tuvuca, Lakeba, Moce, Cicia, Nayau, Mago, Yacata, Katafaga, Oneata, Namuka I Lau, Kabara, Vatoa, Fulaga, Nairai and Gau: Expect strong southeasterly winds with wind speeds up to 100km/hr and gusts up to 140km/hr.

There will be periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms.

For land areas of the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu [Cakaudrove Province, Eastern Macuata and Southern Bua], Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni, Koro, Ovalau and Ono I Lau: Expect strong southeasterly winds with wind speeds up to 65km/hr and gusts up to 90km/hr.

Periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms with very rough to high seas.

For the Eastern and Northern parts of Viti Levu from Sigatoka through Suva to Tailevu North up to Rakiraki/Tavua, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands: Strong southeasterly with wind speeds up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr. Occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms.

For the Moala Group: Strong southeasterly with wind speeds up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr, increasing to very destructive hurricane force winds with average speeds of 120km/hr and gusts to 170km/hr from this evening.

Occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms.

FOR THE REST OF THE FIJI GROUP Cloudy periods with some showers. Showers increasing to rain and becoming frequent and heavy with squally thunderstorms during the today.

POSSIBLE IMPACTS DUE TO HEAVY RAIN: Localised flooding of susceptible communities, business and low lying areas.

Localised flooding of minor roads, Irish crossings and bridges with some disruption to traffic flow.

Severe flooding of major rivers which could flood towns and properties as Poor visibility for motorists and mariners.

Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Rae will enter Fiji waters from tonight.

The Nadi Weather Office says it will be intensifying tonight and into tomorrow.

The centre of Cyclone Rae is located 160 km East-Northeast of Cikobia or about 180 km Northeast of Udu Point.

It is moving in a South-southwest direction towards the Lau Group at 15 km/hr.

A gale warning remains in force for the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu, Cakaudrove province and Southern Bua, Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti Group.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Northern division, Lau and Lomaiviti groups, interior and the eastern parts of Viti Levu from Sigatoka through Navua, extending to Suva up to Tailevu North and is now in force for the rest of Fiji.

For land areas of the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu Cakaudrove Province and Southern Bua, Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti group: Expect strong southeasterly winds with wind speeds up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr.

Winds will possibly increase up to 65km/hr and gusts up to 90km/hr from later tonight.

Expect occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms.

Rain will become frequent from tonight.

Expect rough to very rough seas and high seas from later tonight.

For the Eastern and Northern parts of Viti Levu from Sigatoka through Suva to Tailevu North up to Rakiraki/Tavua, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands: Strong southeasterly with wind speeds up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr.

Expect occasional showers, increasing to rain and becoming heavy and frequent from later tonight.

For the rest of the Fiji Group there will be cloudy periods with some showers,increasing to rain and becoming frequent and heavy with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow.

Possible impacts due to heavy rain: Localised flooding of susceptible communities, business and low lying areas.

Localised flooding of minor roads, Irish crossing and bridges with some disruption to traffic flow.

Severe flooding of major rivers which could flood towns and properties. Poor visibility for drivers and mariners.

Tropical Depression 09F (TD09F) is expected to intensify into a Category 1 Tropical Cyclone in the next 6 to 12 hours.

The Nadi Weather Office says the centre of TD09F was located 230km Northeast of Cikobia or 265km Northeast of Udu Point, and is expected to intensify while tracking south towards Fiji.

They say the system is slow moving and is expected to move towards Fiji.

A Gale Warning remains in force for the eastern parts of Vanua Levu (eastern Macuata and eastern Cakaudrove], Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni and Northern Lau group and is now in force for the rest of the Lau group and Lomaiviti group.

The Weather Office says a Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the Northern Division, Lau and Lomaiviti groups while a Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the rest of Fiji.

A Gale Warning remains in force for Koro Sea, Vanua Levu and Lau waters, while a strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of the Fiji waters.

Director Fiji Meteorological Service, Misaeli Funaki says they have been tracking the system, and it will continue to intensify as it draws closer.

Tropical Depression 09F (TD09F) is expected to enter the Fiji waters from the northeast of Vanua Levu later today and may intensify into a Category 1 tropical cyclone by this evening.

The Fiji Meteorological Office says the centre of TD09F was located to the far northeast of Fiji about 300km northeast of Udu Point at 6am today, and it is expected to track south towards Fiji while gradually intensifying.

It says a gale warning remains in force for the eastern parts of Vanua Levu (eastern Macuata and eastern Cakaudrove], Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni and Northern Lau group and is now in force for the rest of Lau group and Lomaiviti group.

The Met Office says a heavy rain warning remains in force for the Northern Division, Lau and Lomaiviti groups.

A heavy rain alert remains in force for the rest of Fiji.

A gale warning remains in force for Koro Sea, Vanua Levu and Lau waters, while a strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji waters.

Director Fiji Meteorological Services Misaeli Funaki says they have been tracking the system, and it continued to intensify overnight and developed into a tropical depression, TD09F.

He says the models agree that it will continue to intensify.

For land areas of the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu [eastern Macuata and eastern Cakaudrove], Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti group: expect strong southeasterly winds with wind speeds up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr. The winds will become clockwise and possibly increase up to 65km/hr, and gusts will be up to 90km/hr from later tonight.

Expect occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms developing later today.

There will be rough to very rough seas, and high seas from later tonight.

For the eastern and northern Viti Levu [from Tailevu North through Ra-Rakiraki up to Tavua], Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands: expect strong southeasterly winds with speeds of up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr.

There will be occasional showers, increasing to rain and becoming heavy and frequent from later tonight.

For the rest of Fiji Group: expect cloudy periods with some showers.

The showers will increase to rain and become frequent and heavy with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow.

Expect moderate to fresh southeast winds and rough seas.

Tropical Depression 09F lies to the northeast of Fiji and the chances of the system to become a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours is moderate to high.

The Nadi Weather Office says the centre of TD09F is located about 350km northeast of Cikobia or 440km north-northeast of Vanuabalavu.

TD09F is expected to enter the Fiji waters by later today, possibly with an associated active trough and strong to near gale force winds.

They say a Heavy Rain Warning is now in force for the Northern Division , Lau and Lomaiviti groups while a Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the rest of Fiji.

A Gale Warning is now in force for the eastern parts of Vanua Levu, Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni and Northern Lau Group.

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the rest of Vanua Levu, northeastern parts of Viti Levu including from Tailevu North through Ra-Rakiraki up to Tavua, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Southern Lau and Lomaiviti groups, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

Localised heavy rain may lead to flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Stay with us for updates.