Cyclone Hola is bearing down on New Caledonia's eastern Loyalty Islands right now, where strong winds and torrential rains have been reported.
Tropical Cyclone Hola over New Caledonia Photo: Meteo Nouvelle-Caledonie
The cyclone, which caused damage in Vanuatu's northern islands, re-intensified into a category 3 overnight, with sustained winds of about 150km/h at its centre.
At 6 o'clock this morning, local time, (8am NZT) Hola was about 90 kilometres northeast of Lifou, and is expected to pass close to the island of Mare today.
On Mare, electricity supplies have already been cut off and winds in excess of 100 km/h have been reported as well as swells of six to eight metres.
On the main island, well to the west of the cyclone, as much as 200mm of rain was recorded overnight.
A spokesperson for the territory's civil security department told the public broadcaster that 300 people stayed the night in seven emergency shelters in the Loyalty Islands.
Schools and businesses have been ordered closed and people are being urged to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and very rough seas.
The cyclonic pre-alert is maintained on the rest of New Caledonia.
The territory's government has declared on the islands of Ouvéa, Lifou and Maré to be on alert two.
New Caledonian weather service forecasting head Gabrielle Castella said the Loyalty Islands likely felt the worst overnight.
"According to our forecast we expect very bad weather conditions from Friday afternoon until Saturday with violent gusts up to 70 knots and very heavy rain.
"Severe gusts and heavy rain are also expected in the south of New Caledonia so the level two of the cyclone alert system has been activated."
Fishing tour operator on Lifou in the Loyalty Island group, Alex Rigourd, said he had been cleaning up loose items around his home, buying food and water and stocking up on candles.
He said it was quite common for water and power to be out for three or four days when the islands are hit by bad weather.
A forecast track map on Friday night showed the path of Cyclone Hola, now a category two, passing through New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands. Photo: Meteo France
According to him, local people were securing their boats.
"They just make sure that, the owners make sure that they are really safe, in the water. And the others that can take out of the water, the boat out of the water, they just do it, they take out their boat and tie them really tight on the road."
Mr Rigourd said some houses in the loyalty islands could be easily damaged as their corrugated iron roofs were held on with rocks
He explained that during a storm, people tended to go to the strongest houses of extended family members.
Mr Rigourd said the seas had been rough this morning and that he was expecting Cyclone Hola to arrive on Friday or Saturday.
New Caledonia's two domestic airlines cancelled all flights on Friday in anticipation of the cyclone passing the territory, but international flights to New Caledonia were running on schedule for the time being.
Authorities in Vanuatu say gale force winds are expected to affect the southern Tafea and Shefa provinces overnight and today, but an all clear has been given to Malampa province.
