New Caledonia: Cyclone Hola to reach Loyalty Islands March 9

Event

Cyclone Hola is forecast to make landfall in New Caledonia overnight March 9-10, with wind gusts reaching up to 200 km/h (125 mph). Loyalty Islands are forecast to be the first impacted. As of Thursday, March 8, Hola was located 300 km (186 mi) north of the Belep Islands, the northernmost New Caledonian archipelago.

New Caledonia's Civil Security body has issued preventive pre-cyclonic advice, which includes stocking up on water, canned food, and gas, preparing flashlights and spare batteries, and avoiding outdoors activities.

Context

New Caledonia was somewhat impacted by Cyclone Gita in mid-February 2018, which brought severe flooding and associated damages to the nearby islands of Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. Cyclone season in the region typically lasts from November to April, although storms can occur outside this period.

Advice

Individuals present in New Caledonia are advised to monitor local weather reports and follow all instructions as issued by local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). In the event of flooding, remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.