[Glenda]

Wind Warning As Cyclone Wati Approaches
23/03/2006
NewstalkZB

MetService is keeping a close watch on Tropical Cyclone Wati as it approaches New Zealand.

The storm has spent the past few days moving towards the north Queensland coast, close on the heels of Cyclone Larry.

Weather forecaster Bob McDavitt says Wati has been drifting around a bit, but is headed south. He says over the weekend it will probably enter the Tasman Sea and could become a concern for New Zealand.

Mr McDavitt says there is a chance it could meet a large high pressure system currently moving towards the South Island, and produce strong easterly winds over the North Island next week.

Meanwhile, MetService is promoting World Meteorological Day and its theme - preventing and mitigating natural disasters.

It says the theme recognises the fact that 90 percent of all natural disasters are related to weather, climate and water. Mr McDavitt says economic losses from natural disasters around the world are estimated to be around $446 billion per decade.

Last year was the largest financial loss ever recorded over 12 months, mainly due to tropical cyclones in the Atlantic. Mr McDavitt says people should always have a natural disaster emergency kit at hand, containing three days' worth of food and water.

:o

We knew it could come. Are all you guys in the North Island (in particular) prepared? We have several large bottles of water, soft drinks, cans of fruit, soup etc. We have also decided which is the safest room to cower in should things start flying about, including the roof.

Have a surprise visitor this weekend - my 'insignificant other' ::) - and had planned to go up to Cape Reinga. Might have to change our plans. He goes back to the UK on Wednesday ... hope it is not too bumpy a flight. ;D