Cyclone hits French Polynesia

The beautiful holiday destination of French Polynesia is on red alert today as a powerful cyclone bears down on the islands. 
 Heavy rains and high winds have already lashed the Island of Bora Bora, destroying homes and cutting power supplies, informs Euronews.  
 Hitting neighbouring Tahiti earlier today, local people and tourists were warned to stock up and batten down the hatches.
 One woman said: ‘‘The boat touched the middle of the bungalow. Nobody was steering it and it got stranded between two homes. It hit them smashing the walls. It’s also damaged the docks and is still stuck between the two bungalows.’‘
 Cyclone Oli is estimated to be the most powerful storm in decades and many islanders have been rushing to get supplies before it arrives.
 Those living close to the sea have been advised to take refuge in stronger buildings inland. 
   Oli is expected to reach its peak in the next few hours. Tourists cannot fly out of the Islands and hospital staff have been told to stay on duty as the French territory prepares for the worst.

05.02.10