The storm then took a path southwest towards the Cook Islands, Peni made a narrow turn and passed close to Aitutaki.

Peni had taken a steady southwestern track before passing close nearby Aitutkai around 10:00 UTC on the 15th.

The Aitutkai Meteorological Office was evacuated due to dreadful and deteriorating weather conditions.

After gaining severe cyclone status, Peni made its closest point to the Cooks archipelago, near Rakahanga.

Rakahanga was the only island reporting major damage, and Aitutaki was hit with severe weather.

Peni lost tropical cyclone characteristics as it neared southern vertical wind shear.

Airstrips in Mauke and Rakahanga were closed due to the harsh weather, but Rarotonga International Airport were still in operation.

The government of New Zealand had a reconnaissance aircraft flight make a fly-by to deliver building materials and fuel to the archipelago.