30 Sep 2009

Tropical storm passes Yap in FSM

1:28 pm on 30 September 2009

Tropical Storm Parma has continued travelling west through the Federated States of Micronesia.

The weather system passed to the south of the westernmost state of Yap overnight, battering the east coast of the main island with torrential rain and winds of up to 50 knots.

The airline, Continental Micronesia, cancelled its scheduled passenger flight to Guam early this morning.

The Yap state governor has ordered his cabinet members to report for duty but for all other government employees to stay at home.

A damage assessment is expected to begin later.

There's uncertainty about Tropical Storm Melor, which had been forecast to head towards Yap.

The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center now predicts Tropical Storm Melor to get stronger and head north towards Guam and the Northern Marianas.