Preparing for Cyclone Tomas

Fiji is currently in the path of a vicious cyclone called Tomas. It is moving very slowly (9-18 km per hour) across the north eastern section of the Fiji islands group and is rated category four on a five-point scale - the biggest Fiji has seen since 1972. Schools and non-essential services are closed in Suva. I have been kept at home today and will be again for at least tomorrow.

The smaller islands that are in the direct path of the cyclone must be experiencing some catastrophic weather and seas. Here in Suva, although we are over 200 kms away from the eye of the cyclone, the winds are strong and getting stronger. Today was relatively calm, but I fear that tonight will not be so. However, we feel safe. Our apartment building is well built and we have plenty of food and water in case supplies are cut for a few days.

Current news reports feature a local man in the north saying that "Fiji has not experienced anything like this before". Safe to say, this is a very bad cyclone and the fact that it is moving slowly must be devastating for those people who are in its direct path.

You can keep track of the cyclone at http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/65648.html. I will try to add updates to Twitter as things progress.

Our neighbor prepares for the cyclone by adding some nails to his roof

Cyclone Tomas is the one on the right. Viti Levu, the main island, where we are, is just south east of the eye of the cyclone.

This is our apartment (the one on the ground floor with the small lawn)