Tropical Cyclone Wati is moving toward the southern Cook Islands, and people on Aitutaki are getting ready, RNZ and Cook Islands News reported. The storm has grown to Category 2, RNZ and Cook Islands News reported.

At 2 in the afternoon local time on Saturday, the storm was about 290 kilometers north of Palmerston, the Cook Islands Met Service said, according to RNZ. It was moving south-southeast at about 16 kilometers per hour, RNZ reported. Winds near its center were about 91 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 130 kilometers per hour, RNZ reported.

Damaging gales are expected from Sunday, with high seas from Sunday morning, RNZ reported. The country's emergency office said the storm is expected to pass between the islands of Mauke, Mitiaro and Atiu, according to RNZ. The Met Service has issued its final special weather bulletin for the Northern Cook Islands, RNZ reported.

On Aitutaki, an emergency center has been set up, RNZ and Cook Islands News reported. It will be staffed day and night, Cook Islands News reported. Boats were cleared from the Arutanga marina, and people bought rope and plywood to protect their homes, Cook Islands News reported. The island's mayor urged hotels to cancel tours, the paper reported. Many people still remember Cyclone Pat, which hit the island in 2010, Cook Islands News reported.

Rangers on the remote island of Suwarrow are safe, Cook Islands News reported. The storm formed outside the usual cyclone season, which runs from November 1 to April 30, the paper reported.

A Met Service forecaster said the storm should weaken to a low by Monday local time, according to RNZ. It is expected to leave Cook Islands waters within three days, RNZ reported.

What we know: Cyclone Wati is a Category 2 storm moving toward the southern Cook Islands, and Aitutaki has opened an emergency center.
What we don't: How close the storm will pass to the islands, and how much damage the winds and high seas will cause.