Workers from New Zealand solar power company Powersmart Solar are stranded in Tuvalu after Cyclone Pam hit there yesterday.

Gisborne residents are being warned to stock enough food and water to last three days as authorities brace for the aftermath of Cyclone Pam.

All eyes are on the potentially devastating weather system, which was upgraded to a category 5 super-cyclone early Friday morning, slammed into the Solomon Islands and forced Vanuatu to activate its emergency plans.

Category 5 is the strongest in a five-point scale for storms - with winds of 250kmh or more.

MetService.com The latest MetService severe weather warning with tropical cyclone Pam looming.

Representatives from more than a dozen agencies, including Civil Defence, Gisborne District Council and emergency services, met on Friday to come up with a response plan for the major sea surges, rain and wind expected to accompany the ex-tropical cyclone when it hits New Zealand.

READ MORE: Metservice Cyclone Pam blog

MetService has a severe-weather watch in place for northern and eastern parts of the North Island, with Gisborne looking likely to cop the worst of the storm.



Forecasts show the storm could start affecting the north of the country on Sunday evening before moving south to Gisborne on Monday.

Rainfall accumulations were expected to exceed warning criteria on Monday - greater than 100 millimetres in 24 hours.

Residents were told to prepare for coastal erosion, road closures and lost power.

"At the moment, we are expecting the event to last until about late Wednesday afternoon," Gisborne Civil Defence manager Richard Steele said.

"We advise people to tie down anything that might fly away, get enough food and water for three days, and secure boat moorings."

Freedom campers have been told to pack up and leave coastal areas, and people living or working next to the coast were advised to continue monitoring the weather reports and listening to Civil Defence advice.

MetService.com MetService severe weather warning for this week.

Road closures were expected, particularly at Tatapouri, north of Gisborne, where State Highway 35 runs close to the sea.

"Large, forceful swells of up to 8 metres could see seawater reach further inland than usual and people should be prepared for that," Steele said.

"We don't see Wainui beachfront properties as being at risk unless significant erosion occurs."

People who might need to be hospitalised, such as those on dialysis, were being identified and might be moved to safe accommodation if required.

Steele earlier said the storm's power could be even greater than that of Cyclone Bola, which caused more than $82 million in damage to the region in 1988.

"At the moment it's bigger than Bola, and it looks like when it reaches here the barometric pressures will be even lower than what Bola was," he said.

"The lower that goes, the bigger the potential for more storm surges."

Above: Animated images show the recent path of Cyclone Pam. Source: NOAA

PAM HITS THE SOLOMONS

Cyclone Pam made a direct hit on the Solomon Islands on Thursday, destroying homes and plantations and forcing people to hide in caves, pounding the remote Tikopia and Reef Islands.

State-owned Solomons Broadcasting said residents of Temotu province were appealing for "urgent assessment and assistance".

On the remote island of Tikopia, three people were injured and several villages evacuated, the broadcaster said. People were waiting out the cyclone in caves, churches and schools.

Two other islands, Duff and Anuta, were cut off with no word from residents.

Former diplomat Robert Sisilo said buildings had been destroyed.

"But the worst impact has been the inundation of food gardens by flood waters, due to continuous heavy rain," he said.

VANUATU PROVINCES ON RED ALERT

In Vanuatu to the southeast, Torba, Sanma, Penama and Malampa provinces have been put on "red alert" by the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office, which means residents must seek shelter immediately.

Shefa and Tafea provinces have been put on yellow alert.

Vanuatu Meteorological Services has warned of damaging gale-force winds of up to 160kmh over Penama, Malampa and Shefa provinces within the next 12 hours as the system tracks south and intensifies.

Very rough to "phenomenal" seas with heavy swells were also expected.

Residents have been told to prepare for heavy to torrential rain and flash flooding over low-lying areas, as well as coastal flooding. There was also a risk of landslides.

United Nations agency UNICEF said it was on standby and ready to respond with emergency supplies and personnel. About 260,000 people were in the potential disaster zone.

Above: A Nasa satellite image of Pam from Thursday.

KIWIS STRANDED IN TUVALU

Workers from the New Zealand solar energy company Powersmart Solar said they were stranded on one of Tuvalu's islands after a boat trip was cancelled.

The group were meant to leave the island of Vaitupu last Saturday to go to Nanumaga, another area of Tuvalu.

The sailing was cancelled due to rain and strong winds, Heather Logie said in a blog post on Wednesday.

"Locals report that they've not seen weather like this since the storm of 1991," she said.

"Waves have been pushing higher all morning [Wednesday] sweeping rubbish up onto the streets. Two coconut trees have given way and come crashing down."

They were preparing to hunker down until the storm cleared.

A photograph posted to the Powersmart Solar Facebook page showed considerable destruction to areas of the island nation.

WHAT TO DO IN A STORM

Source: Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management

Before a storm:

- Develop a household emergency plan. Assemble and maintain emergency survival items for your home as well as a portable getaway kit.

- Prepare your property for high winds. Secure large heavy objects or remove any item that can become a deadly or damaging missile. Get your roof checked regularly to make sure it is secure. List items that may need to be secured or moved indoors when strong winds are forecast.

- Keep materials at hand for repairing windows, such as tarpaulins, boards and duct tape.

- If farming, know which paddocks are safe to move livestock away from floodwaters, landslides and power lines.

When a warning is issued and during a storm:

- Stay informed on weather updates. Listen to your local radio stations as civil defence authorities will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.

- Put your household emergency plan into action and check your getaway kit in case you have to leave in a hurry.

- Secure, or move indoors, all items that could get blown about and cause harm in strong winds.

- Close windows, external and internal doors. Pull curtains and drapes over unprotected glass areas to prevent injury from shattered or flying glass.

- If the wind becomes destructive, stay away from doors and windows and shelter further inside the house.

- Water supplies can be affected so it is a good idea to store drinking water in containers and fill bathtubs and sinks with water.

- Don't walk around outside and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

- Power cuts are possible in severe weather. Unplug small appliances which may be affected by electrical power surges. If power is lost unplug major appliances to reduce the power surge and possible damage when power is restored.

- At home, check fuel supplies for woodburners, gas heaters, barbecues and generators.

- Bring pets inside. Move stock to shelter. If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you.

After a storm:

- Listen to your local radio stations as emergency management officials will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.

- Check for injuries and help others if you can, especially people who require special assistance.

- Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.

- Contact your local council if your house or building has been severely damaged.

- If your property or contents are damaged take notes and photographs and contact your insurance company. Inform your landlord if there is damage to the rental property.

- Ask your council for advice on how to clean up debris safely.