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Samoa braces for second hit from Cyclone Evan

Updated 7 hours 15 minutes ago

Gallery: In Pictures: Cyclone Evan hits Samoa
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-13/an-samoa-cyclone-gallery/4426816

External Link: Latest warnings from Samoa Meteorological Service
http://www.mnre.gov.ws/meteorology/forecast.htm
Related Story: Tropical Cyclone Evan hits Samoa
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-13/an-samoa-on-alert-as-cyclone-evan-approaches/4424922
Related Story: Fiji, Samoa on alert for wild weather
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-12/an-fiji-preparing-for-cyclone/4424108
Map: Samoa - https://maps.google.com/?q=-13.583,-172.333%28Samoa%29&z=5

Samoa is bracing for a second hit from Cyclone Evan, which has claimed at least two lives in the South Pacific nation.

The Samoan government has declared a state of disaster after winds of up to 160 kilometres per hour and heavy rain lashed the island nation.

New Zealand's High Commissioner to Samoa Nick Hurley says power has been cut, buildings damaged, and trees felled in the capital Apia.

Mr Hurley says cyclonic conditions are resuming as Evan heads for Samoa again.

It is expected to intensify again as it moves towards Tonga and Fiji.

Thought to be one of the most powerful to hit the Pacific nation in 20 years, the cyclone has forced the closure of the airport.

A local journalist says police have rescued people from homes along a flooded river, while several others are reported missing.

There has been flash flooding all over town, blocking the roads, and people have been kept from their homes.

Just where I am two of our neighbours have evacuated. Their houses have been flattened.

Power poles are down, breadfruit trees, taro trees, banana trees - the staple of part of our diet, they're just all over the road.
Samoan reporter Cherelle Jackson

On Thursday, local reporter Cherelle Jackson described the destruction in Apia.

"There has been flash flooding all over town, blocking the roads, and people have been kept from their homes," Ms Jackson told Pacific Beat, adding that emergency services were working to clear the roads.

"Just where I am two of our neighbours have evacuated. Their houses have been flattened.

"Power poles are down, breadfruit trees, taro trees, banana trees - the staple of part of our diet, they're just all over the road."

Monica Miller, Radio Australia's reporter in Pago Pago, said people were boarding up their homes and schools were closed.

"Some of the people started making preparations yesterday, while others started this morning," she said.

"There are designated shelters, usually church halls, that people can go to if they are inundated."

Evan is the first named cyclone of the South Pacific's summer cyclone season.

[ Embedded .. same one from YT ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF9AsVGxyJ0

Video: Cyclone Evan 'dangerous and scary' (ABC News)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-13/samoan-cyclone-dangerous-and-scary/4427072

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-14/samoa-braces-for-second-hit-from-cyclone-evan/4427370