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Cyclone Sarai- December 2019

A storm system tracking near Fiji has officially been upgraded to a tropical cyclone causing disruption to flights.
Cyclone Sarai was declared a Category 1 cyclone at 3am on Friday morning.
Metservice meteorologist Micky Malivuk said the cyclone was making its way towards Fiji and may be even stronger by the time it makes landfall.
“It’s tracking south just to the west of Fiji. Currently, it’s a Category 1, it will intensify to Category 2 by 1am on Saturday, which means storm-force winds”.

Messages from the mission president and mission office:

On Dec. 27 and 28 we received emails from Tommy's mission president giving us updates on a cyclone (southern hemisphere hurricane) that was near Fiji.  It was nice to know Tommy was safe.  He'd been transferred to a new area but it was inland.  He wasn't able to talk on Christmas but he made sure we knew he tried.:)

Your missionary's phone call:

Dear Sister Swallow,

Elder Swallow  just called me and asked me to let you know that he won’t be able to call you today. The Internet cafĂ© is closed. He will call on Monday.

Sister Perry
Fiji Suva Mission Secretary

Cyclone Sarai

Dear Family and Priesthood Leaders of missionaries serving in the Fiji Suva Mission,

An update of the current status of cyclone Sarai affecting the Fiji island groups: It is 10.00pm local time here in Fiji, we are experiencing gale force winds and heavy rain currently as the cyclone now passess to the west of Viti Levu and then heads in a southerly direction just south of the island of Kadavu.

All missionaries are safe and well, we have evacuated missionaries from areas of the mission that are prone to flooding or that might be cut off due to rising river levels. Today the missionaries have a 7.00pm kerfew and all were back in their flats by this time and reported in to their missionary leaders.

We again thank you for your love, support and prayers on behalf of each of our wonderful missionaries, we are so grateful.

Kind regards

President John R. Higgins

Fiji Suva Mission

TC Sarai

Family and Priesthood Leaders of Missionaries in the Fiji Suva Mission,

I am pleased to inform you that Tropical Cyclone Sarai is now passing to the southeast of the Fiji island group, all missionaries are safe and well. There has been some damage to dwellings, trees toppled and substantial surface flooding in some low lying areas, we have three areas of the mission where elders and sisters have been evacuated (Naitasiri, Navatuyaba and Toga) and will remain out of there areas until it is safe to return.

We are so grateful for your faith and prayers offered on behalf of all here in Fiji, we have felt the protecting hand of the Lord at this time.

Kind regards

President John R. Higgins

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