18 Feb 2005

Cyclone Olaf not damaging Cook Islands yet

8:34 pm on 18 February 2005

Emergency officials in the Cook Islands say the country is prepared for the effects of Cyclone Olaf and is hoping it will be similar to Nancy which left the country with only minor damage.

Superintendent Isa Maiela from the Emergency Operations Centre says the everyone is well-prepared because of two cyclones that have already hit the area this month.

Cyclone Olaf is around 250 kilometres west of Rarotonga and with winds of 185 kilometres per hour near the centre, although they are predicted to decrease.

Superintendent Maiela says conditions are not as bad as they thought.

"The cyclone is still passing and the water sometimes comes after that. As far as high seas are concerned, now it is not really that bad. The only overflows that we have now is mainly around the airport where the seawall is, but otherwise the harbours are still OK, we haven't had the sea over the harbour."

Superintendent Isa Maiela from the Emergency Operations Centre in the Cook Islands.