Cyclone Funa drenches Vanuatu

(Earthweek)

Cyclone Funa brought heavy rain and storm-force winds to northern portions of the Vanuatu archipelago in the South Pacific late Wednesday and Thursday.

Vanuatu's Meteorology Department warned that heavy rain and flash flooding were possible, especially on the country’s largest island of Espiritu Santo. Communication links to that island were lost during the height of the storm.

"Communities and individuals living near or along river banks, along coastal areas, flood plains or in areas prone to landslides are advised to seek safe shelter," the department said.
Matt Boterhoven from the Fiji Meteorological Service, which was helping track the cyclone, said the storm was producing maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph (95 km/h) with gusts of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) on Thursday.

Funa was expected to reach hurricane force on Friday, then curve southeasterly, missing Fiji over the weekend.

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