Cyclone Oli

Severe Tropical Cyclone Oli (RSMC Nadi designation 07F, JTWC designation 12P) was the first severe tropical cyclone within the South Pacific basin since Cyclone Gene in 2008.

Tropical Cyclone Oli
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Oli on February 4, 2010
FormedJanuary 29, 2010
DissipatedFebruary 8, 2010
(Extratropical after February 6, 2010)
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph)
1-minute sustained: 215 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure925 hPa (mbar); 27.32 inHg
Fatalities1 direct
Damage$70 million (2010 USD)
Areas affectedSamoan Islands, Cook Islands, French Polynesia
Part of the 2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season

At least one person was killed by large swells produced by the storm in French Polynesia.[1]

Meteorological history
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Severe Tropical Cyclone Oli was first identified by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) early on January 29. In their first advisory on the system, the FMS designated the system as Tropical Disturbance 07F and centered roughly 700 km, (430 mi) north-west of Suva, Fiji.[2] The following day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began monitoring the disturbance as an area of mid-level convection. Satellite imagery depicted a developing low-level circulation center within the system as it moved within a region of moderate wind shear.[3] Later on January 30, convective banding features developed along the periphery of the system as it moved eastward in response to a subtropical ridge to the north.[4] Around 0900 UTC on January 31, the FMS upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression.[5] Shortly thereafter, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) on the system, stating that the system was likely to develop into a tropical storm within 24 to 48 hours.[6] Early the next day, the JTWC declared that the depression had intensified into a tropical storm and classified it as Tropical Cyclone 12P.[7]

Preparations

Cook Islands

Late on January 31, RSMC Nadi placed the islands of Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow under a tropical cyclone alert, whilst a strong wind warning was put in place for the rest of the northern Cook Islands. Early the next day, RSMC Nadi cancelled the alert for Pukapuka and Nassau, whilst placing Suwarrow island under a tropical cyclone warning. However the warning was cancelled later that day, after Oli had moved away.

Tahiti

Prior to Oli's arrival, roughly 3,400 people were evacuated from low-lying, coastal areas in Tahiti and the surrounding islands. As the storm bypassed Tahiti and nearby islands on February 4 and 5, the local government declared a red alert as winds up to 195 km/h (120 mph) impacted the region. Numerous structures were damaged across the islands and several people were injured. Numerous power and telephone lines were knocked out, hampering communication on the affected islands.[8]

French Polynesia

After tracking by Tahiti, Oli turned southward and threatened the islands of French Polynesia. Officials quickly began urging people to evacuate to designated shelters and remain indoors. All flights were cancelled to and from the area as well as all seafaring vessels.[8] All schools were closed prior to Oli's arrival.[9] About 650 tourists were trapped on Bora Bora Island after transportation throughout the region was shut down.[10] An estimated 4,000 residents on the islands evacuated to public shelters by February 4.[11]

Impact and aftermath
Cyclone Oli strengthening off the Cook Islands on February 2

Cook Islands

Minor damages were reported within the Cook Islands after they were affected by heavy rain, high seas and strong winds.[12][13][14] On Penrhyn and Pukapuka island heavy rain caused houses and roads to be flooded, whilst on Omoka island, wharfs were reported to have been damaged.

Tahiti

Numerous structures were damaged across the islands and several people were injured. Numerous power and telephone lines were knocked out, hampering communication on the affected islands.[8] Major damage was reported in Papenoo.[15]

Shortly after the storm passed, power companies deployed crews to restore power to the island. By 9:30 am (local time) on February 5, roughly 20% of the island's homes remained without power.[15]

French Polynesia

At least one person was killed by large swells produced by the storm around the island of Tubuai in the Austral islands, south of Tahiti.[1][8] Hundreds of homes were damaged across the islands as strong winds, recorded up to 200 km/h (120 mph) battered them. The winds also downed power and telephone lines and led to officials banning road travel.[9] Winds up to 120 km/h (75 mph) impacted Bora Bora Island during the storm's passage.[10] A total of 40 homes were destroyed on the island and one person was seriously injured.[16]

On the island of Tubuai alone, 200 homes sustained damage from the storm, leaving more than $11 million (USD) in monetary losses.[17] Elsewhere in the region, the storm left an additional $13 million in damage.[18]

Following the widespread damage from the storm, the local government declared a state of natural calamity. Additionally, the overseas minister of France pledged to establish a relief fund for victims of the storm.[16]

See also

References
  1. Associated Press (February 5, 2010). "1 killed in Cyclone Oli in French Polynesia". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  2. "Tropical Disturbance Summary". Fiji Meteorological Service. January 29, 2010. Archived from the original on January 29, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  3. "Tropical Weather Outlook". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 30, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  4. "Tropical Weather Outlook". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 30, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  5. "Tropical Disturbance Summary". Fiji Meteorological Service. January 31, 2010. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  6. "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 31, 2010. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  7. "Tropical Cyclone 12P Advisory Number 001". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 1, 2010. Archived from the original on February 1, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  8. Staff Writer (February 5, 2010). "French Polynesia islands battered by Cyclone Oli". British Broadcasting Company. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  9. Staff Writer (February 5, 2010). "Cyclone Oli batters islands of Polynesia". Kazakhstan News. Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  10. Staff Writer (February 4, 2010). "Tahiti braces for cyclone". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  11. Staff Writer (February 5, 2010). "Cyclone ravages French Polynesia". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  12. "UNOCHA Update No.1 on TC OLI" (PDF). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2010-02-02. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  13. "UNOCHA Update No.2 on TC OLI" (PDF). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2010-02-02. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  14. "UNOCHA Update No.3 on TC OLI" (PDF). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2010-02-03. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  15. Staff Writer (February 5, 2010). "Cyclone Oli : l'EDT fait le point sur les dégâts à Tahiti" (in French). Tahiti Press. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  16. Gilles Marsauche (February 5, 2010). "Le cyclone Oli frappe la Polynésie française". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  17. Staff Writer (February 8, 2010). "Cyclone Oli estimated to have caused US$11m worth of damage". Radio New Zealand International. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  18. ATP (February 9, 2010). "Tahiti's president continues inspection of Cyclone Oli damage in French Polynesia". Tahiti Presse. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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