Cyclone Wilma

This article is about the South Pacific cyclone of 2011. For other uses, see Tropical Storm Wilma.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilma
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 4 (Saffir–Simpson scale)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilma on January 26
Formed January 19, 2011
Dissipated January 30, 2011
(Extratropical after January 29, 2011)
Highest winds 10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph)
1-minute sustained: 215 km/h (135 mph)
Lowest pressure 930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg
Fatalities 3 direct
Damage $22 million (2011 USD)
Areas affected American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand
Part of the 2010–11 South Pacific cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilma was an intense tropical cyclone that affected the Samoan Islands, Tonga and New Zealand. Forming out of a trough of low pressure on January 19, 2011 to the northwest of Fiji, Cyclone Wilma initially tracked eastward towards the Samoan Islands. On January 22, the system took a sharp southward turn, bringing its centre directly over American Samoa the following day. After turning towards the southwest and accelerating, Wilma steadily intensified into a severe tropical cyclone before striking Tonga. The storm reached its peak intensity on January 26 as a Category 4 cyclone with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a barometric pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg). Gradually re-curving towards the southeast, Wilma weakened quickly as it moved over cooler sea surface temperatures; by January 28, it was downgraded to a tropical cyclone. Later that day, the storm brushed the North Island of New Zealand before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone.

Throughout Wilma's path, three countries were affected, with New Zealand experiencing the most severe damage. At least three fatalities in American Samoa have been blamed on the storm, two from flooding and one from high seas. In Tonga, "major damage" was reported across the Ha'apai Islands. In New Zealand, several homes were destroyed by the storm and hundreds of people were evacuated. However, there were no reports of fatalities. Torrential rain in the country, exceeding 280 mm (11 in) in some places, triggered 50-year flood events and isolated towns.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

Early on January 19, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance 06F had developed, along a trough of low pressure about 665 km (413 mi) to the northeast of Nadi, Fiji.[1] During that day convection surrounding the disturbance gradually became more organized before early the next day, RSMC Nadi reported that it had intensified into a tropical depression.[2] On January 22, The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started monitoring the system as Tropical Cyclone '08P'.[3] Later the same day, RSMC Nadi upgraded Tropical Depression 06F to a tropical cyclone and named it 'Wilma'.[4] Early on January 24, RSMC Nadi further upgraded Wilma to a Category 2 Tropical Cyclone.[5] Late on the same day, RSMC Nadi reported that Wilma had intensified into a Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone.[6] Wilma Continued to strengthen and January 26, the RSMC Nadi upgraded it into a Category 4 Severe Tropical Cyclone.[7] Early on January 27, Wilma entered TCWC Wellington's area of responsibility.[8] A few hours later, TCWC Wellington took full responsibility of Wilma, and downgraded it into a Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone.[9] Wilma continued to weaken and TCWC Wellington further downgraded it into a tropical cyclone.[10] On January 28, the JTWC, issuing their final warning, reported that the system took a southeast curve along the coast of North Island, New Zealand and started becoming extratropical.[11] A few hours later, the TCWC Wellington, downgraded it into a low, no longer considering it tropical.[12]

Preparations and Impact

The name Wilma was retired in 2012 and was replaced with Wano.[13]

American Samoa

Following harsh criticism for the lack of a warning siren after the 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami, in which more than 100 perished, the American Samoan Government ensured that residents were aware of Cyclone Wilma several days prior to its arrival. Many people boarded up their homes and Homeland Security was on standby in case of evacuations. As a precautionary measure, ten shelters were also opened on the island.[14]

On January 23, Wilma passed directly over American Samoa, bringing winds in excess of 95 km/h (60 mph).[14] The local National Weather Service office recorded sustained winds of 66 km/h (41 mph) with gusts to 95 km/h (59 mph) while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Earth System Research Laboratory on Cape Matatula, Tutuila, observed sustained winds of 93 km/h (58 mph) and gusts of 130 km/h (81 mph).[15] These winds downed numerous trees and power lines, leaving several towns and cities without electricity.[14] Several structures also had their roofs blown off.[16] Heavy rains amounting to 243 mm (9.56 in) triggered a few landslides but overall damage was light.[15] With that, the Pago Pago International Airport was closed and the American Samoa Governor, Togiola Tulafono ordered local government agencies to help those in need.[17] Wilma caused severe damage to the StarKist Samoa tuna cannery which was then shut down for a week.[18] Across the region, three fatalities due to drowning were blamed on the storm. One of these was a child who was swept away by a swollen river while he was playing near it.[19]

In the days after Wilma's passage, health officials warned residents to stay away from standing water as it may have been contaminated to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.[20] Following preliminary assessments of damage, Governor Tulafono stated that there was sufficient losses to warrant an emergency declaration from President Barack Obama. However, he also requested that a second, in-depth report of the situation be made to better determine how to move forward; the second assessment was set to start on January 27.[21] According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, power and water supplies were restored to all areas by January 25 and the airport was set to reopen that day. Harbours were to remain closed for several more days as debris was being cleared from coastal waters.[22]

Tonga and Lau Islands

After Wilma moved over American Samoa, a tropical cyclone alert was issued in Tonga and Lau Islands.[23] On the morning of January 25, Wilma blew over Tonga as a severe tropical cyclone.[24] Major damage was reported in the Ha’apai Islands of Tonga.[25] Wilma also disrupted New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully's trip to Tonga.[26] Throughout Tonga, damage amounted to $3 million.[27]

New Zealand

According to the media, Wilma was expected to approach the coasts of Cape Reinga on January 29, as a Category 2 Tropical Cyclone.[28] In combination with previous flooding expected to be worsened by Wilma, officials in New Zealand evacuated numerous towns in the Thames-Coromandel District.[29] At least 70 people sought refuge in public shelters during the storm.[30]

As Cyclone Wilma brushed the North Island, it brought torrential rains to much of the region, with several areas recording 200 mm (7.9 in) during a 24‑hour span.[29] One station recorded 280 mm (11 in) in 12–14 hours.[31] With this, several areas neared record-breaking rainfall totals for the month of January. These rains, in combination with heavy rains a week prior, caused several rivers to swell. One river, the Whakatane, was expected to reach levels seen in 50-year flood events. Large amounts of debris was reported to be flowing down rivers into the ocean. High winds accompanying these rains caused significant damage as well; several homes were destroyed and electricity was cut off to many towns and cities as power lines were felled. Numerous roads across the island were shut down due to treacherous conditions. Two rural towns, Waimana and Ruatoki Valley, were isolated by flooding as high water covered all roads leading to and from the areas.[29] In parts of the Coromandel Peninsula, sewage treatment plants were overwhelmed by the amount of rain and began spilling raw sewage into nearby communities as well as Whangamata harbour.[31] Along the slopes of Mount Maunganui, campers were forced to evacuate in the middle of the night as flood waters began to threaten their rest areas.[32] Several landslides were also reported during the passage of Wilma, cutting off roads and damaging homes.[32] On Waiheke Island, two residents managed to escape their cottage, after the family dog began barking outside, before the hill it was situated on gave way, destroying their house.[33]

Throughout New Zealand, damage from Wilma was at least NZ$25 million (US$19 million).[34][35] While other cyclones have weakened and turned into extratropical storms that then hit New Zealand, Cyclone Wilma is the first known to hit New Zealand as a tropical cyclone.[36]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tropical Cyclone Wilma (2011).

References

  1. ↑ RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre (January 19, 2010). "Tropical Disturbance Summary January 19, 2010 09z". Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on January 19, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Tropical Disturbance Summary 2010-01-20 09z". Fiji Meteorological Service. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  3. ↑ "JTWC Tropical Cyclone 08P Warning 01". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "Storm Warning for Cyclone Wilma 2010-01-22 12z". Fiji Meteorological Service. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
  5. ↑ "RSMC Nadi Hurricane Warning 062 for Tropical Cyclone Wilma". Fiji Meteorological Service. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "TROPICAL DISTURBANCE ADVISORY NUMBER A12 for TROPICAL CYCLONE WILMA". Fiji Meteorological Service. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "HURRICANE WARNING 073 for TROPICAL CYCLONE WILMA". Fiji Meteorological Service. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "JTWC Tropical Cyclone 08P Warning 11". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  9. ↑ "TCWC Wellington — HURRICANE WARNING 490". TCWC Wellington. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  10. ↑ "TCWC Wellington — HURRICANE WARNING 490". TCWC Wellington. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  11. ↑ "JTWC Tropical Cyclone 08P Warning 14". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  12. ↑ "Marine Weather Bulletin for Former Tropical Cyclone Wilma". Tropical Cyclone Warning Center, Wellington. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  13. ↑ Tropical Cyclone Programme (2012). Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  14. 1 2 3 Vanessa Stewart (January 27, 2011). "Tropical Cyclone Wilma passes, no major damage to American Samoa". KHON2. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  15. 1 2 American Samoa Event Report: Hurricane (Typhoon). National Weather Service Office in American Samoa (Report) (National Climatic Data Center). 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ Staff Writer (January 24, 2011). "Cyclone Wilma blows over Samoa, strengthening en route to Fiji". Honolulu Star Advertiser. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Pacific nations on cyclone alert". People's Daily Online. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  18. ↑ "Cyclone causes cannery shutdown in American Samoa". Radio New Zealand International. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  19. ↑ Staff Writer (January 27, 2011). "Samoan flood deaths could have been avoided - disaster official". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  20. ↑ Staff Writer (January 27, 2011). "Health warnings in American Samoa following Cyclone Wilma". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Gov. Togiola receives preliminary assessment for Tropical Cyclone Wilma; requests second report". Government of American Samoa. January 25, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  22. ↑ "National Situation Update: Tuesday, January 25, 2011". Federal Emergency Management Agency. January 25, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Cyclone alert for Tonga, Fiji". Australia News Network. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  24. ↑ "Cyclone passes Tonga tourist spot". Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  25. ↑ "Major destruction on Tonga’s Ha’apai from Cyclone Wilma". Radio New Zealand International. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  26. ↑ "McCully delays trip to Tonga". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  27. ↑ United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (February 3, 2011). "Tonga: Tropical Cyclone Wilma, Situation Report #1, 3 February 2011" (PDF). ReliefWeb. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Cyclone on track to strike New Zealand". Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  29. 1 2 3 Staff Writer (January 29, 2011). "Cyclone Wilma leaves trail of destruction". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  30. ↑ Australian Associated Press (January 29, 2011). "Cyclone Wilma batters New Zealand". The Herald Sun. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  31. 1 2 Staff Writer (January 29, 2011). "Raw sewage overflows in Coromandel". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  32. 1 2 Tim Lambourne (January 29, 2011). "Cyclone Wilma leaves trail across the North Island". 3News.NZ. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  33. ↑ ONE News (January 29, 2011). "Lucky escape after house collapses". TV New Zealand. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  34. ↑ Abby Gillies (February 20, 2011). "Cyclone leaves $25m bill". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Northland counts cost of cyclone damage". Radio New Zealand. February 2, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Tropics move into the upper North Island". New Zealand Herald. February 6, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2011.

External links

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