5 Jan 2004

Tokelau escapes damage as cyclone passes by

8:14 am on 5 January 2004

The islands of Tokelau have escaped serious damage as Tropical Cyclone Heta moves towards Samoa and Tonga.

Tokelau, which has been lucky to escape cyclones for the past ten years, was the first to be placed on Tropical cyclone alert by the Fiji Met service in Nadi, at the weekend.

The Director of the Tokelau Office in Samoa's capital, Zac Patalesio, whose is also the national disaster coordinator, says Tokelau was very fortunate.

"Only the northern atoll, which is Atafu.. apparently the sea went up to half of the atoll, otherwise everything is OK."

Meanwhile, Tonga says it's fully prepared for Cyclone Heta.

A meeting between National Disaster committees on both the main island Tongatapu, and Vavau in the north, has assured the Assistant police Commander, Tanielu Faletau, that they have the best people in the right place to minimise the damage.