Story highlights…
  – Severe tropical cyclone last week in French Polynesia
  – Current cyclone hits Cook Islands
  – Potential new cyclone within 24 hours.

Communications appear to be restored in parts of the Cook Islands which have been hammered by category three Cyclone Pat.

The Emergency Operational Centre lost contact with Aitutaki to the north for several hours this morning. A spokesman says satellite phone contact is now in place but there are still no details about how much damage the cyclone has caused.

Cyclone Pat is currently moving southwest across the island group.

One News reported that some houses have been destroyed.

Just last week severe tropical cyclone Oli slammed into French Polynesia killing one person and causing the evacuations of thousands.

Now weather forecasters are reporting another cyclone is likely to form soon, this time near Samoa.

WeatherWatch.co.nz reports that the Fiji Meteorological Agency has identified Tropical Depression 10F as having a “moderate” risk of becoming a tropical cyclone within 24 hours.  The tropical storm is currently moving east but is expected to turn south putting American Somoa directly in its path.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the tropics have been extremely active in recent weeks, mainly between Fiji and Tahiti.

– Additional reporting NewstalkZB