Cyclone Yasa
Truly heartbreaking, 2020 is not done yet. A monstrous category 5 equivalent cyclone ( #Yasa ) hit Fiji. This was one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Pacific and had the strength to wipe out entire villages. Reports are slow to come out, but we know Vanua Levu, which took a direct hit, suffered greatly. December 16 as the tropical cyclone approached Fiji, the pressure was down to 905 hPa, with sustained winds of 240 km/h, gusting over 300 km/h. https://twitter.com/i/status/1339435153697988610 Fortunately for the cruising community, all the foreign yachts were moved south to Port Denarau and the mangroves and were mostly spared. Yet more than 16,000 Fijians are in evacuation centres around the islands. Our friends at Sea Mercy are organising cruisers to provide relief efforts to islands in need. Please donate time/money if you can to help out.