Tropical Storm Ita Is Forecast To Strike Papua New Guinea As A Tropical Cyclone At About 06:00 GMT On 8th April 2014

Tropical storm Ita is forecast to strike Papua New Guinea as a tropical cyclone at about 06:00 GMT on 8 April. Data supplied by the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Center suggest that the point of landfall will be near 11.6 S, 152.4 E. Ita is expected to bring 1-minute maximum sustained winds to the region of around 120 km/h (74 mph). Wind gusts in the area may be considerably higher.

According to the Saffir-Simpson damage scale the potential property damage and flooding from a storm of Ita’s strength (category 1) at landfall includes: Storm surge generally 1.2-1.5 metres (4-5 feet) above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. There is also the potential for flooding further inland due to heavy rain.