Cyclone warning for Cook Islands

People in the Cook Islands are being warned of damaging winds and flooding as a newly named cyclone, Cyclone Bart, makes its way south of the group.

Bart was situated about 296 kilometres west south west of Rarotonga at 1am New Zealand time or 12-hundred UTC

The Fiji Met Service says a gale warning is in force for Rarotonga and Mangaia and a strong wind warning is in force for the rest of the southern Cooks.

RNZ reports Cyclone Bart is moving southeast at 35 kilometres an hour and has winds of up to 100 kilometres an hour.

The authorities are warning of flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas.