Samoa told to brace for more
Last updated 09:59 14/12/2012

LATEST: Cyclone Evan is set to hit Apia again this morning with greater force, after reportedly killing three people - including two children - yesterday.

The cyclone has already inflicted massive damage on the Samoan capital while details around the fatalities are not yet available.

Winds close to the cyclone's centre are predicted to increase to 120 kmh to 145 kmh within the next 6-12 hours.

A special weather bulletin said Upolu could expect to see high gusts of wind up to 160 kmh and damaging storm surges of 3.6 metres to 4.3m.

Phone lines are still down in Samoa and the country's High Commissioner in New Zealand has been struggling to get updated information.

"We don't have any update (on whether the next phase of the cyclone has hit). We've been trying to call the Disaster Management Office but have had no luck," a spokesman said.

He could confirm that at least three people were dead - two children and one adult. But did not have detail on ages or nationalities.

Samoan newspaper editor Tevita Terrance said wind gusts of up to 112 kph were being experienced.

"There are several missing people at the moment. The damage is pretty extensive," he told RNZ.
[link to www.wunderground.com]