# Tropical Cyclone Wati in the Cook Islands

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tropical-cyclone-wati-in-the-cook-islands
> Updated: 2026-10-19T03:13:31.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The weather disturbance initially formed as tropical depression TD01F near the Suwarrow atoll, threatening the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Forecasters warned of potential intensification into a category 1 cyclone, with gale-force winds and heavy rain expected to impact the Southern Cook Islands and the Austral Islands.

The system subsequently intensified into Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Wati. The storm struck the southern Cook Islands, causing significant infrastructure damage. In Aitutaki, approximately half of a newly upgraded $7 million causeway washed into the basin, leaving the Arutanga Harbour and Marina facility underwater. Local reports also indicated power outages due to debris on overhead cables and damage to residential roofs. Emergency operations in the region transitioned to a 24/7 command post as authorities managed risks of coastal inundation and heavy swells.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Tropical Cyclone Wati strikes southern Cook Islands

Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Wati has hit the southern Cook Islands, damaging Aitutaki's primary port and causing power outages and coastal flooding across the island chain.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-cyclone-wati-strikes-southern-cook-islands

### 2026-10-16: Tropical depression TD01F threatens Cook Islands and French Polynesia

Tropical depression TD01F is moving through the Cook Islands and toward French Polynesia's Austral Islands, with potential to become a category 1 cyclone bringing high winds and heavy rain.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-depression-td01f-threatens-cook-islands-and-french-polynesia

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Cite as: Tropical Cyclone Wati in the Cook Islands. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tropical-cyclone-wati-in-the-cook-islands