Smart Traveller AU

New Caledonia

New Caledonia experiences natural disasters and severe weather, such as:

The New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management (French) responds to natural disasters and severe weather.

If there’s a natural disaster or emergency, a free crisis hotline is activated if required. Call +687 05 05 05 (French).  Your tour operator or accommodation provider may also be may also be able to provide timely advice.

To protect yourself if a natural disaster occurs:

  • secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
  • monitor local media and other sources
  • follow the advice of local authorities
  • keep in contact with friends and family

Get weather reports and disaster updates:

If you’re travelling during cyclone season, or after a natural disaster, contact your tour operator to check if services are affected.

Cyclones and severe weather

Cyclone season is from November to May, but cyclones can occur at other times.

The direction and strength of cyclones can change suddenly.

Cyclones and severe weather can bring:

  • flooding and landslides
  • disruptions to infrastructure and essential services

If there’s a cyclone or severe tropical storm:

  • you may get stuck in the area
  • flights could be delayed or suspended
  • available flights may fill quickly
  • access to sea ports could also be affected
  • adequate shelter may not be available

New Caledonia has a 4-phase cyclone alert system:

  1. PRE-ALERT: potential cyclone activity in the weather observation zone of New Caledonia — follow weather forecasts and bulletins
  2. ALERT 1: a cyclone is approaching and may reach New Caledonia in the next 18 hours — prepare for a cyclone
  3. ALERT 2: a cyclone will hit New Caledonia in less than 6 hours — protect yourself and stay indoors
  4. SAFEGUARD PHASE: a cyclone is moving away — remain alert

If a cyclone is approaching:

Once the SAFEGUARD PHASE is announced:

  • take care leaving your shelter
  • look out for debris
  • avoid fallen electrical wires

Flooding and mudslides

Heavy rains can cause flooding and mudslides. These can lead to:

  • deaths and injuries
  • destruction of property
  • evacuations

Earthquakes and tsunamis

New Caledonia experiences earthquakes and tsunamis.

Tsunamis can happen within minutes of a nearby tremor or earthquake.

Ask your tour operator, host or accommodation provider about local procedures and what to do during an earthquake.

Tsunami risk is higher at:

  • the east coast
  • Loyalty Islands
  • Isle of Pines

On 5 December 2018, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit near New Caledonia. A tsunami alert was issued and later lifted. Several strong aftershocks followed the quake.

To prepare yourself for earthquakes and tsunamis you can:

If there’s an earthquake or tsunami:

  • know the evacuation plan for your hotel or cruise ship
  • monitor tsumani updates
  • monitor local media and other sources
  • move to higher ground if you’re in a coastal or low-lying area

If you’re near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:

  • feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
  • feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
  • see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
  • hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don’t wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens.

Once on high ground, monitor local media.

After an earthquake:

  • expect aftershocks
  • be prepared for delays and changes to your travel plans
  • ask your travel agent and tour operators to confirm travel services and accommodation bookings

More information:

Bushfires

New Caledonia can experience bushfires.

Bushfires usually occur from September to February. They can occur in other months.

Bushfire notifications are published by Météo France Nouvelle-Calédonie (French) from 15 September to 15 February.

To protect yourself from bushfires:

  • look and listen out for bushfire warnings
  • follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government

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