Tahiti awash after heavy rain

French Polynesia declares state of natural disaster

FRENCH POLYNESIA – Heavy flooding in French Polynesia has left thousands with power, forced many residents to evacuate and closed Tahiti’s international airport.

A state of natural disaster has been declared after heavy rain hit t he main islands of Tahiti and Moorea.

There has been no loss of life from the flooding but substantial damage to homes and infrastructure.

The French Polynesia High Commission said three people were injured, one seriously, while more than 100 homes were destroyed.

An Air France flight to Los Angeles was diverted to the Cook Islands because the runway was flooded, and international flights were cancelled.

“The weather forecast predicts rain until Tuesday,” said Frederic Poisot, an official from the High Commissioner’s office.

He added that authorities had not decided when to re-open the airport.

Officials said more than 6000 households had been without electricity, although power now been restored to many of them.

Poisot said the army was helping clear roads and repair damaged facilities – major roads were damaged by landslides.

A statement from the president’s office said around 150 emergency service personnel had been dispatched to assist with the rescue measures.

“The country is working in close coordination with the High Commission and local municipalities so that all the necessary measures are being put in place to bring the situation back to normal as soon as possible,” the statement said.

Many streets in Papeete have been flooded and a bridge along the northwestern coastal road collapsed, cutting the main road around the island.

Schools on the two islands will remain closed tomorrow to continue the clean-up.

Many tourists holidaying on the island had taken to social media to confirm they were stranded on the island for the time being and to alert family members they were safe.

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia with a population of around 276,000, and 180,000 tourist arrivals a year.

- ABC