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Western Samoa/Cook Islands: Cyclone Sally - Jan 1987

Status
Past
Countries
Cook Islands
+ 1 more
Disaster types
Tropical Cyclone

A UNDRP/UNDP representative reports that cyclone Sally was the second to attack the South Pacific in the last few days (first was Rajah), and hit the Cook Islands on 1 Jan 1987. Heavy rains, rough seas, and wind gusts affected mostly island Rarotonga, where the population was evacuated. (UN DHA, 6 Jan 1987)

Cyclone Sally was one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the Cook Islands with winds of up to 190 km/hour and waves of up to 12 metres high. To date, no deaths and only five injuries were reported. Early warnings allowed persons to evacuate the low-lying areas in time. On Rarotonga island (population 9,000) approximately 1,000 persons were in shelters and 5,000 more were staying with relatives/friends. In Avarua (capital of Rarotonga), 80 percent of buidings were destroyed or severely damaged. The harbour was completely blocked, and the water supply was disrupted in half of the town. (UN DHA, 8 Jan 1987)