Preparations
On January 2, the meteorologists of the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP) warned that Heta could hit Tokelau, and predicted that the storm would turn south and pass to the west of Samoa. The following day, however, the advisory area was extended to include Samoa and then Niue and Tonga. At that point, the AFAP forecast that the storm would hit Niue as a Category 2 or 3 tropical cyclone in 12–24 hours. On January 6, when Heta reached Category 5 status, the AFAP predicted that the storm would hit Tonga and its surrounding islands the following day, bringing strong wind and rain damage. In Niue, anticipating that the storm would bring catastrophic damage, 1300 residents sought shelter in their homes while others evacuated coastal areas to higher ground. In Samoa and American Samoa, although hurricane warnings were in effect, there were no reports of evacuations or storm shelters being opened before the storm.
Read more about this topic: Cyclone Heta
Famous quotes containing the word preparations:
“At the ramparts on the cliff near the old Parliament House I counted twenty-four thirty-two-pounders in a row, pointed over the harbor, with their balls piled pyramid-wise between them,—there are said to be in all about one hundred and eighty guns mounted at Quebec,—all which were faithfully kept dusted by officials, in accordance with the motto, “In time of peace prepare for war”; but I saw no preparations for peace: she was plainly an uninvited guest.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Whatever may be the reason, whether it was that Hitler thought he might get away with what he had got without fighting for it, or whether it was that after all the preparations were not sufficiently complete—however, one thing is certain: he missed the bus.”
—Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940)
“In all the important preparations of the mind she was complete; being prepared for matrimony by an hatred of home, restraint, and tranquillity; by the misery of disappointed affection, and contempt of the man she was to marry. The rest might wait. The preparations of new carriages and furniture might wait for London and the spring, when her own taste could have fairer play.”
—Jane Austen (1775–1817)