Cyclone Zoe: Difference between revisions
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==Impact== |
==Impact== |
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Although Zoe never met large land masses, it did affect several inhabited islands which had total population of around 1700. Worst damage was suffered by island [[Tikopia]] which was hit by Zoe's [[eyewall]] at its peak intensity. A storm surge of 5-10m was reported by residents. At least 70 houses were revealed to have been destroyed by initial surveys. Reports described devastation as 'total', with almost all vegetation and man-made structures shredded or blown away, and at least two villages being completely washed away by storm surge and waves. Amazingly, no direct fatalities were reported. Inhabitants of the islands took refuge from storm in higher, rocky areas and rode out the storm. On [[Anuta]] 90% of houses remained intact, and 70% of crops undamaged. Communication was lost with the island for a week. [[Vanuatu]] was inundated with |
Although Zoe never met large land masses, it did affect several inhabited islands which had total population of around 1700. Worst damage was suffered by island [[Tikopia]] which was hit by Zoe's [[eyewall]] at its peak intensity. A storm surge of 5-10m was reported by residents. At least 70 houses were revealed to have been destroyed by initial surveys. Reports described devastation as 'total', with almost all vegetation and man-made structures shredded or blown away, and at least two villages being completely washed away by storm surge and waves. Amazingly, no direct fatalities were reported. Inhabitants of the islands took refuge from storm in higher, rocky areas and rode out the storm. On [[Anuta]] 90% of houses remained intact, and 70% of crops undamaged. Communication was lost with the island for a week. [[Vanuatu]] was inundated with syup;p78tt7p68lt8yueawater with villagers collecting fish from their village greens. No damage was reported on Fiji with a maximum sustained wind of 33kts at Yasawa, and a gust of 40kts at Nadi. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 03:55, 19 October 2006
| cyclone | |
|---|---|
| Formed | December 23, 2002 |
| Dissipated | January 1, 2003 |
Tropical Cyclone Zoe was one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever observed in the South West Pacific Ocean.
Storm history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionIt was first observed 23 December 2002 as tropical depression 04F about 360 nm to the east of Funafuti in Tuvalu. Over next two days, it slowly drifted west-southwestward whilst gradually building up strength, first advisories being issued by RSMC Nadi on the 23rd December. TD 04F was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Zoe at 2100 GMT on the 25th December with gale intensity (34-47kts). On 26 December TC Zoe began to intensify at very rapid pace, and by 0600 GMT on the 26th December storm intensity (48-63kts) was attained. Hurricane intensity of greater than or equal to 64kts was attained at 1800 GMT on the 26th December. At 0600 GMT on the 28th December it reached a maximum intensity of 130kts (240 km/h)[3] . As per RSMC Nadi advisory [4] the minimum central pressure was 890 hPa. However, the minimum central pressure was unofficially estimated to be as low as 879 hPa, which would put Zoe amongst ten most intense storms on record and the strongest ever outside of the north western Pacific. It should be noted that as is the case in many tropical cyclones, direct measurements from storm's centre are not available and this number is an estimate from estimated maximum surface winds using Atkinson/Holiday wind pressure relationship.[5] Between 28 December and 29 December, Zoe moved very little executing a small clockwise loop whilst maintaining its intensity. During that time it passed over several small islands in the Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. 29 December saw Zoe moving again, this time to southeast. It also entered to unfavourable environment for development and began to weaken. Facing increasing wind shear and colder waters, it continued to decline. Zoe was downgraded to a tropical depression at 0000 GMT on the 1st January 2003, when it was located about 210 nautical miles to the southwest of Nadi. Warnings were discontinued that day, as Zoe became extratropical.
Impact
Although Zoe never met large land masses, it did affect several inhabited islands which had total population of around 1700. Worst damage was suffered by island Tikopia which was hit by Zoe's eyewall at its peak intensity. A storm surge of 5-10m was reported by residents. At least 70 houses were revealed to have been destroyed by initial surveys. Reports described devastation as 'total', with almost all vegetation and man-made structures shredded or blown away, and at least two villages being completely washed away by storm surge and waves. Amazingly, no direct fatalities were reported. Inhabitants of the islands took refuge from storm in higher, rocky areas and rode out the storm. On Anuta 90% of houses remained intact, and 70% of crops undamaged. Communication was lost with the island for a week. Vanuatu was inundated with syup;p78tt7p68lt8yueawater with villagers collecting fish from their village greens. No damage was reported on Fiji with a maximum sustained wind of 33kts at Yasawa, and a gust of 40kts at Nadi.
References
- ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
- ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
- ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
- ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
- ^ https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/2003atcr/chapter2/chapter2.html