The coastal inundation alert remains in force over the coastal areas of Rarotonga and the rest of the Southern Cook Islands.

The warning was initially issued on Saturday. Last night, the Cook Islands Meteorological Service said potential sea flooding of coastal areas, especially during high tides were expected. Cloudy periods with some showers are also expected.

Tata Crocombe, the owner of The Rarotongan Beach Resort and Lagoonarium, said “… unfortunately we have been experiencing coastal inundation and beach erosion.”

“We are waiting for the weather system to subside and then will work with the NES (National Environment Service) to undertake remedial works.”

The Rarotongan was one of the most affected during the king tide that battered the south side of Rarotonga in July 2022.

Forty beachfront rooms became unusable after large waves combined with king tides smashed through the windows flooding these luxurious rooms and leaving behind an inch of sand. The main resort dining room was flooded with ankle-deep water. Crocombe then estimated damages up to a million dollars.

Nearby businesses, including Kaena Restaurant and Adventure Cook Islands, also sustained significant damage in 2022.

High sea swells on Sunday and early Monday morning spilled onto the road by Kaena Restaurant, but a business operator downplayed it, saying “it wasn’t anything major”.

“The boulders that stopped the waves from coming onto the road were damaged during the 2022 event and it’s been two years and ICI (Infrastructure Cook Islands) hasn’t done anything about it,” a business operator in the area said.

Emergency Management Cook Islands in a statement yesterday morning said: “People should take extra caution of stronger than usual currents, and dangerous conditions around the passages.”

“Beachfront property owners on the south side should also keep an eye on the conditions, with regards to equipment and belongings on the beach during high tide.”