Severe Tropical Cyclone Oli marked the first occurrence of a severe tropical cyclone within the South Pacific basin since Cyclone Gene in 2008. The cyclone formed out of a tropical disturbance on 29 January 2010 and was designated as Tropical Cyclone 12P on 1 February. After passing through the northern Cook Islands, it turned southeast through French Polynesia, causing severe damage in the Austral Islands. At least one person was killed by large swells produced by the storm on the island of Tubuai.[1] The storm caused at least US$70 million worth of damage.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
Severe Tropical Cyclone Oli was first identified by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) early on 29 January. 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 30 January, 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 31 January, 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 31 January, 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 4 and 5 February, 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 4 February.[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.[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] Total damage across the region was estimated at up to US$22.5 million.[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]
In March 2010, the French Government committed 10 million Euros for the reconstruction of housing destroyed by the storm.[19]
Cyclone Pat (2010) – a strong tropical cyclone that affected the Cook Islands a few weeks after Oli.
References
^ ab"1 killed in Cyclone Oli in French Polynesia". Seattle Times. Associated Press. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
^"Tropical Disturbance Summary". Fiji Meteorological Service. 29 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 September 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
^"Tropical Weather Outlook". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
^"Tropical Weather Outlook". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
^"Tropical Disturbance Summary". Fiji Meteorological Service. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
^"Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
^"Tropical Cyclone 12P Advisory Number 001". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 1 February 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
^ abcdStaff Writer (5 February 2010). "French Polynesia islands battered by Cyclone Oli". British Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
^ abStaff Writer (5 February 2010). "Cyclone Oli batters islands of Polynesia". Kazakhstan News. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
^ abStaff Writer (4 February 2010). "Tahiti braces for cyclone". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
^Staff Writer (5 February 2010). "Cyclone ravages French Polynesia". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
^ abStaff Writer (5 February 2010). "Cyclone Oli : l'EDT fait le point sur les dégâts à Tahiti" (in French). Tahiti Press. Archived from the original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
^ abGilles Marsauche (5 February 2010). "Le cyclone Oli frappe la Polynésie française". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 5 February 2010.
^Staff Writer (8 February 2010). "Cyclone Oli estimated to have caused US$11m worth of damage". RNZ. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
^"TONG SANG TOURS STORM AFTERMATH IN TUAMOTUS". Pacific Islands Report. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
^"10 millions d'euros pour la reconstruction de logements en Polynésie Française à la suite du cyclone « OLI »" (in French). ReliefWeb. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cyclone Oli (2010).
Tropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
