Cyclone Gita

Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita is a strong tropical cyclone that was the most intense to impact Tonga
since reliable records began. The second named storm and first major tropical cyclone of the 2017–
18 South Pacific cyclone season, Gita originated from a monsoon trough that was active in the South
Pacific in early February 2018. First classified as a tropical disturbance on February 3, the nascent
system meandered near Vanuatu for several days with little development. After acquiring a steady
east trajectory near Fiji, it organized into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on February 9 near Samoa.
Arcing south in a clockwise turn, the system rapidly intensified and became a severe tropical cyclone
on February 10 near Niue.

Throughout its path in the South Pacific, Cyclone Gita affected multiple island nations and territories.
Tonga was hardest-hit with severe damage occurring on the islands of Tongatapu and ʻEua; two
fatalities and forty-one injuries occurred in the kingdom. At least 171 homes were destroyed and
more than 1,100 suffered damage. Violent winds destroyed homes and left the two islands largely
without power. Torrential rains and damaging winds caused widespread disruptions in Samoa and
American Samoa, prompting emergency declarations in both. Outlying islands in the Fijian Lau
Islands were significantly affected, particularly Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa. Wallis and Futuna, Niue, and
Vanuatu were also affected but impacts in these areas were minor.

Meteorological history

On February 3, 2018, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) started to monitor Tropical Disturbance
07F, which had developed within a trough of low pressure, about 435 km (270 mi) to the southeast
of Honiara in the Solomon Islands.[1][2] The system was poorly organised and was located along an
upper-level ridge of high pressure in an area of high vertical wind shear.[2] Over the next couple of
days the system moved erratically near northern Vanuatu and remained poorly organised, with
atmospheric convection located to the south of the low level circulation.[3] The system
subsequently started to move south-eastwards, towards the Fijian Islands and a favourable
environment for further development during February 5.[4] The system subsequently passed near
the island nation during February 8, where it developed into a tropical depression and started to
move north-eastwards towards the Samoan Islands.[5][6] During February 9, the United States Joint
Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical
Cyclone 09P, after an ASCAT image showed that it had winds of 65–75 km/h (40–45 mph) in its
northern semi-circle.[7] The FMS subsequently named the system Tropical Cyclone Gita early, after
the United States National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Pago Pago requested that
the system be named early for warning and humantarian reasons.[8]

After Gita was named, a prolonged period of rapid intensification ensued as it quickly intensified into
a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, before it passed
within 100 km (60 mi) of Samoa and American Samoa. After moving past the Samoan Islands, Gita
turned southeast, then southwards, under the influence of a near-equatorial ridge to the
northeast.[9] On February 10, Gita rapidly intensified to a category 3 severe tropical cyclone on the
Australian scale[10] while traversing anomalously warm sea surface temperatures of between 82–84
°F (28–29 °C).[11] On February 11, Gita continued to intensify into a category 4 severe tropical
cyclone.[12] At the same time, Gita turned westward under the influence of a subtropical ridge to
the south.[9] At approximately 10:00 UTC (23:00 TOT) on February 11, the cyclone passed about 30
km (20 mi) south of Tongatapu near its peak intensity, as a powerful Category 4 cyclone on both
scales; the RSMC Nadi-based Australian scale and the JTWC-used Saffir–Simpson scale, with
maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 200 km/h (120 mph). At the same time, the Joint Typhoon
Warning Center estimated peak 1-minute sustained winds at 230 km/h (145 mph).[13] This made
Gita the strongest cyclone to strike Tonga in its recorded history.[14]

Current storm information

As of 09:00 FST February 16 (21:00 UTC February 16), Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita was located near
24.6°S 167.0°E. 10-minute sustained winds were at 120 km/h (75 mph), while 1-minute sustained
winds were at 135 km/h (85 mph), with gusts of up to 165 km/h (105 mph). The minimum
barometric pressure was 973 hectopascals (28.73 inHg), and the system is moving west-
southwestwards at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).

For latest official information, see:

The FMS's disturbance advisory on Severe Tropical Cyclone 07F (Gita)

The FMS's TC forecast track map on Severe Tropical Cyclone 07F (Gita)

The JTWC's TC warning text on Tropical Cyclone 09P (Gita)

Preparations and impact

Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita impacted the Pacific island nations of Vanuatu, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna,
Samoa, American Samoa, Niue and Tonga, with the most significant damage being reported in the
Samoan Islands and Tonga. As Gita's precursor tropical disturbance impacted Vanuatu's Torba
province during February 6, the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department warned that
heavy rainfall, thunder and lighting would impact the area and advised people to take extra
precautions.[15] Between February 8 and 9, the system brought strong winds and heavy rain to
Wallis and Futuna. Some power outages were reported on Wallis, though overall effects were
negligible.[16] During the cyclone's westward turn, it brought significant winds to Niue; however, no
damage occurred.

Samoa

Global Precipitation Measurement enhanced satellite image of Cyclone Gita near the Samoan islands
on February 9. Heavy rain bands with rainfall rates of 25 to 41 mm (1 to 1.6 in) per hour were
identified near the islands.

Cyclone Gita brought torrential rain to parts of Samoa on February 8–9.[18] Hardest hit were areas
in and around Apia where more than 350 mm (14 in) of rain fell during the overnight hours.[19]
Multiple rivers in the city burst their banks and inundated homes.[20] At least 233 people sought
refuge in emergency shelters.[18] Landslides and flooding rendered many roads impassable.[21]
Communications were briefly lost with the southern coast of Upolu.[20] A state of disaster was
declared for the nation on February 10.[20]
American Samoa

In the two days preceding Gita's arrival, an associated monsoon trough produced significant rains,
reaching 432 mm (17.0 in) across parts of American Samoa.[16] Multiple streams flooded and
prompted evacuations in Malaeloa village. Landslides were reported in Avau, Amanave, and
Poloa.[22] Cyclone Gita reached American Samoa on February 9, bringing heavy rains and strong
winds; homes were damaged on Nu'uuli, Tafuna, and Tutuila.[23] High winds tore roofs of structures
and downed trees and power lines.[24] Approximately 90 percent of Tutuila was left without power
and water.[25] The local National Weather Service office in Pago Pago lost power; the Honolulu,
Hawaii, office issued forecasts in the interim.[24] Rainfall in Pago Pago exceeded 155 mm (6 in).[19]
More than 800 people were displaced from their homes across the territory.[24] Pago Pago
International Airport suspended operations for the duration of the storm. A Coast Guard AC-130
conducted aerial surveys of the territory and a small group of Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) personnel were deployed.[26] United States President Donald Trump declared a
state of emergency for American Samoa on February 11.[27] Health officials advised residents to boil
water amid an enhanced risk of dengue fever.[24]

Tonga

Prior to and during the cyclone, approximately 5,700 residents sought refuge in public
shelters.[28][29] Power was turned off prior to the storm's arrival.[29] Striking Tonga on February
12, Cyclone Gita brought destructive winds to the capital island of Tongatapu.[14] Initial surveys
across the island revealed 119 homes destroyed and another 1,131 damaged,[30] primarily in
Nukuʻalofa.[31] Many areas were left without water and power.[14] Many structures lost their roof
during the height of the storm.[28] Older structures suffered the greatest damage, including the
Tongan Parliament building, built more than 100 years ago, which was flattened by the
storm.[28][29] Fuaʻamotu International Airport sustained damage, prompting officials to keep the
airport closed. Across Tongatapu, 3 people suffered major injuries while another 30 experienced
minor injuries.[32] An elderly woman died while trying to find shelter after her home was
destroyed.[33] One person died from a heart attack potentially related to the storm in
Fuaʻamotu.[32]

On the neighboring island of ʻEua, the storm knocked out power to all residents and caused
extensive damage. Similar to Tongatapu, older structures suffered severe damage while newer
buildings fared well. Crops were largely destroyed.[32] Fifty-two homes were completely destroyed
on the island; eight people suffered injury, including one severe.[30]

Immediately following the storm, a curfew was imposed for all of Tonga. Personnel from His
Majesty's Armed Forces rescued people during the storm and began clearing roads at daybreak on
February 13. National Emergency Management Office spokesman Graham Kenna called the storm
"the worst situation [he has] been in" during his 30-year career.[32] MP Lord Fusituʻa described the
impact as the worst since at least Cyclone Isaac in 1982.[33] On February 13, Australia provided
A$350,000 (US$275,000) in emergency supplies via the Royal Australian Air Force (RADF) to assist
more than 2,000 people. Australia also sent humanitarian supplies to the Tongan Red Cross. Two
civilian humanitarian specialists were deployed to assist Tonga's National Emergency Management
Office. A medical expert also provided assistance to assess health infrastructure.[34] New Zealand
provided NZ$750,000 (US$545,000) in assistance.[29]
Fiji

On February 13, the center of Gita passed roughly 60 km (37 mi) south of Ono-i-Lau in the Lau
Islands of Fiji.[35] Observations from the island revealed peak sustained winds of 126 km/h (78 mph)
with gusts to 156 km/h (97 mph).[36] Flooding from tidal surge preceded the core of the cyclone by
several hours.[37] Structural damage was reported in Doi Village, including one home that lost its
roof.[38] Communications with Ono-i-Lai and nearby Vatoa were disrupted for roughly a
day.[39][31] Across both islands, 10 homes were destroyed and 26 more sustained damage.[40]
Many structures sustained roof damage and crops were devastated.[31] Local leaders on Ono-i-Lau
called the storm the "worst in living memory".[41]

New Caledonia

In advance of the storm, most tourists visiting the Isle of Pines, southeast Grande Terre, were
evacuated to Nouméa; however, many stayed to ride out the storm. Municipal buildings were
opened to the public as shelters. All businesses suspended operations on February 16.[42]

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Gita