Christmas Island Cyclone

Posted by Philippa Rowlands Mar 7, 2007

Christmas Island 2,360 km north-west of Perth, Western Australia, is preparing for the onslaught of a tropical cyclone. Cyclone Jacob is a category three cyclone which the Bureau of Meteorology reports as having winds of up to 155-195km/hr.

The storm is currently about 280 km south-west of the islands and moving at the relatively slow speed of 19km/hr. It is estimated that the cyclone could hit the island sometime tomorrow.

The likelihood of the storm impacting directly with the Christmas Island is uncertain as the movement of the cyclone is currently unpredictable. The islanders are preparing nonetheless, because even without direct impact it is likely that the storm will bring very heavy rain, possible flooding, high winds and a heavy north-west swell.