Final Exam Part 2

It was 2 AM yesterday morning when meteorologists at Nadi Weather Center detected a cyclone rapidly developing near Nauru and moving across the Pacific Ocean towards the Solomon Islands.

"It was a fast developing front that we could not have anticipated any faster," Said Nadi Weather Center director James Jones.

The storm, named cyclone Victor, had sustained winds of up to 140 mph and was classified as a Level 4 Cyclone. At 3 AM, they contacted the Solomon Islands government, warning them of the approaching cyclone.

"We warned all the proper authorities," Jones said.

The Solomon Island government broadcast warnings on radio and to the police, and warned all shipping in the area of the cyclones approach.

"It was pretty chaotic for a few hours when the storm hit the community," Said Police Chief Marianna Adams. 

By 10 AM, winds in Honiara were blowing at more than 140 kilometers per hour. At around midday, the center of the cyclone passed directly over Honiara before tracking into the Coral Sea, where it blew itself out.

"It could have been worse but the emergency shelters established 3 years ago after hurricane Kilo gave our people a place to hide," Said Adams. "I want to commend all of our local emergency workers for their efforts."

So far, 6 people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of the cyclone, another 18 are being treated in the hospital for severe injuries. More than 100 people are now homeless.

"We have heavy hearts for the people who lost their lives today," Said Adams.

Honiara has now started work on clean-up operations, and emergency services are waiting to hear from other districts about damage, but believe Honiara was the most affected. 

"The church is open to anyone who has lost their home and need a place to stay," Said local pastor Harold Young. "We will hold prayer services each night at 6 p.m. until we have everyone back in a stable home."

 Police say that of the six people who died, three men drowned when their car was blown off the road into a river, and two women and a man were killed by flying debris.

"We are devastated that our son, Frank, was killed," Said mother of one of the men killed, Lisa Ramos. "He was returning home from a vacation to Australia when the storm hit."