新西兰英语 707 Fiji after Cyclone Evan

 　　Although the cyclone¹ was category 4 – the second highest level – gusts³ of wind were 270km an hour at times. Both the wind and the rain caused damage. Many houses in Fiji are not strong and can easily be destroyed in a storm. Some houses blew away in the wind and other houses lost their roofs. Rivers flooded into houses also. More than 8,000 people were in emergency shelters last night.

　　Areas in the north west of both main islands have lost power and running water. Roads are closed because of floods, fallen trees and damaged bridges.

　　The New Zealand Red Cross has sent a team of Red Cross workers to Samoa and money to help the Fijian Red Cross. The New Zealand government has promised nearly $1m for Samoa and Fiji immediately and more money later if it is needed. Our government has also sent equipment like tents, water containers, chain saws and electricity generators⁵ to both countries on Air NZ flights. Air NZ cancelled flights from Auckland to Fiji yesterday but some flights are back to normal today.

　　Vocabulary

　　?gust² of wind – sudden, strong burst of wind

　　?emergency shelters – safe buildings like community halls, schools etc

　　?running water – water which runs from a tap

　　?Red Cross – volunteers who help after a disaster; many are medical people

　　?generator⁴ – uses diesel⁶ oil to make electricity

　　?back to normal – yesterday was unusual, today is usual again (this is a useful phrase to learn)

1 cyclone   

n.旋风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• An exceptionally violent cyclone hit the town last night.昨晚异常猛烈的旋风吹袭了那个小镇。
• The cyclone brought misery to thousands of people.旋风给成千上万的人带来苦难。

2 gust   

n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发

参考例句：

• A gust of wind blew the front door shut.一阵大风吹来，把前门关上了。
• A gust of happiness swept through her.一股幸福的暖流流遍她的全身。

3 gusts   

一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作

参考例句：

• Her profuse skirt bosomed out with the gusts. 她的宽大的裙子被风吹得鼓鼓的。
• Turbulence is defined as a series of irregular gusts. 紊流定义为一组无规则的突风。

4 generator   

n.发电机，发生器

参考例句：

• All the while the giant generator poured out its power.巨大的发电机一刻不停地发出电力。
• This is an alternating current generator.这是一台交流发电机。

5 generators   

n.发电机，发生器( generator的名词复数 )；电力公司

参考例句：

• The factory's emergency generators were used during the power cut. 工厂应急发电机在停电期间用上了。
• Power can be fed from wind generators into the electricity grid system. 电力可以从风力发电机流入输电网。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。