© AFP. WELLINGTON, Feb 11, 2010 - A powerful cyclone battered the Pacific island of Aitutaki, damaging 80 percent of homes and prompting authorities to impose an island-wide state of disaster. The category three Cyclone Pat caused widespread damage, with winds gusting up to 100 knots smashing into Aitutaki, part of the Cook Islands.
"The main damage on the island is roofing damage to about 80 percent of houses," Cook Islands Police Commissioner Maara Tetava said. "The cyclone was very strong, it wasn't expected to be that strong. There are still a lot of people in shock and a state of disaster has been declared for the island," he said. He said up to 100 tourists were believed to be safe on the island, which has a total population of around 2,000 people. Only two people had been reported injured in the storm, with most residents evacuating to sturdy buildings on higher ground overnight. Power had been knocked out for much of Aitutaki and may not be fully restored for up to six weeks, Tetava said. Aitutaki mayor Tai Herman told Radio New Zealand the cyclone was the worst in living memory. "I was talking to a lot of the elderly people who had not experienced anything like this in their life before. This is the worst," he said.
The airport, hospital and most major buildings sustained only minor damage and communications and some power were being restored. Witnesses said trees, power poles and crops were ripped from the ground as the cyclone passed over the island early Wednesday morning local time but conditions improved during the day. By 5.30 pm Wednesday (0330 GMT Thursday) the centre of the cyclone was about 150 nautical miles southwest of Aitutaki and about 115 nautical miles northwest of the main island of Rarotonga, which has about 10,000 residents.
The Fiji Meteorological Service said the cyclone was weakening rapidly and was tracking well to the west of Rarotonga, which lies about midway between New Zealand and Hawaii. Authorities were not taking any chances, with government offices, schools and many businesses closed in Rarotonga. "We are preparing for the worst. If it comes, we are ready and if it doesn't then it's our good luck," Tetava said. A category three cyclone is the third strongest on a five point measurement scale.
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