I'm not sure which sounds worse a cyclone or a hurricane, each has a menacing connotation. Naturally (no pun intended) they're the same thing, however one is the Pacific version of a similar magnitude storm as a hurricane in the Atlantic. Actually, I think the names are different to distinguish between the directions in which the storm turns, in other words; one turns clockwise and the other counter-clockwise but I'm not sure. What I am sure of, having been present for two major hurricanes, including Andrew in South Florida, one typhoon in Hong Kong and a severe tropical storm in Hawaii, plus witness to the devastation of a direct hit to Jamaica, is that these acts of nature are extremely violent and very terrifying.
As I write this the Cook Islands are in the eye of their third cyclone this season. From what I understand, they were just assessing the damage of cyclone Nancy when Olaf came knocking.
The prayer that comes to mind is one that my father had in brass on his yacht named Sundaze; "Oh Lord please have mercy, for thy sea is so great and my boat is so small". Hopefully, the cyclone Olaf will be merciful to the inhabitants of the Cook Islands.
Here's an excerpt from the most recent news I could find and a link to learn more.
Olaf threatens battered islands
SUPER-cyclone Olaf was bearing down on the Cook Islands today as residents were still clearing away the damage and debris of two other cyclones in the past 12 days.
Olaf was forecast to hit the Pacific nation late today or early tomorrow.
Speaking from the main island of Rarotonga, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Kurt Meyer, said the main damage was from Cyclone Nancy which struck on Wednesday.
"The whole of the island spent yesterday in a clean-up mode, trying to clear the roads, clear the power lines that had come down, trees that had fallen all over the place," he said.
Source: Breaking News Australia
