Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Surf warnings remain in American Samoa as Garry moves to Cooks

Posted at 01:47 on 23 January, 2013 UTC

The National Weather Service in American Samoa says only high surf warnings remain for Manu’a, as Cyclone Garry moves further offshore.

The cyclone intensified this morning over open waters off the north eastern coast of Pago Pago, nearer to Manu’a.

A forecaster Carol Baqui says compared with last month’s Cyclone Evan, this one has had minimal impact.

But she says locals are advised to not go out into the open water today.

“The only major impact right now are the seas and the hazardous surf. We have received reports of surf up to 18, with occasional higher in terms of feet, higher sets this morning along Manu’a waters.”

Carol Baqui says the system now looks to be heading in the direction of Nassau in the northern Cook Islands and remains a category two system.