Gales, heavy rain and high seas are expected to begin affecting New Caledonia from this morning as tropical cyclone Sandra hits the territory.
The system was about 345km northeast of Koumac early this morning, and moving slowly southsoutheast.
The category three cyclone is bringing sustained winds of 157 kilometres an hour close to the centre.
A red alert is in force, for Belep and the far north of the main island, meaning people need to stay inside, and schools are closed.
