Cyclone Eric

Cyclone Eric was one of two tropical cyclones to strike Fiji within a span of a week. On January 12, a tropical disturbance formed in the Coral Sea. Steadily intensifying, a tropical depression formed on January 14, and became a tropical storm the next day. On January 16, the storm developed-hurricane force winds and Eric began to undergo rapid deepening. While two different agencies differ on when and how strong Eric was at its peak, it was believed to have peak on January 17 while passing through the Fiji island group. Shortly after its peak, Eric began to weaken steadily, and by January 20, Severe Tropical Cyclone Eric had ceased to exist as a tropical cyclone. Cyclone Eric combined with another storm brought 25 fatalities. Eric caused $40 million (1985 USD) worth of damage. A total of 299 farms were affected as well as the airport in Nadi. About 30,000 people were left homeless. Severe crop damage was also reported. Viti Levu sustained the worst effects from Cyclone Eric. During the aftermath of the storm, a number of first world countries distributed aid for victims of Eric.

Meteorological history

On January 12, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started monitoring a tropical disturbance while centered about 300 mi (485 km) north-northwest of New Caledonia.^[1] The following day, a "shallow depression" appeared along an active monsoon trough. While increasing in organization,^[2] at 0000 UTC January 14, the Fiji Meteorological Service's Nadi Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC Nadi) reported that the system had developed into a tropical depression.^[3] Meanwhile, the JTWC noted good chance of significant tropical cyclogenesis. By 1200 UTC, the low was centered 150 mi (240 km) east of Espiritu Santo while the atmospheric circulation of the system became more defined.^[2] Furthermore, the JTWC declared that the system had organized into a tropical cyclone the same day.^[4]

Initially moving east at 10 mph (16 km/h),^[2] the JTWC then announced that Eric had attained gale-force winds^[1] and was respectively upgraded into a tropical storm.^[2] Early the next day, on January 15, TCWC Nadi remarked that the system had developed winds equal to a Category 1 tropical cyclone.^[3] At 1200 UTC, it passed close to the Island of Espiritu Santo in the Vanuatu island group.^[2] After moving away from the islands, the storm accelerated and turned south-southeast. Subsequently, Nadi noted it had developed winds of a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian intensity scale later that day. At 0000 UTC January 16, the agency estimated that Eric had become a severe tropical cyclone (Category 3 or higher on Australian scale) and thus hurricane-force winds.^[3] Several hours later, the JTWC reported that Eric had developed winds equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS).^[1]

Upon becoming a hurricane, the storm underwent a stage of unarrested development. The upper-level outflow became less defined while the strum re-organized and the center became tough to find. Late on January 16, Hurricane Hunters confirmed the development of an eye;^[2] afterwards, Eric resumed intensification. On January 17, the JTWC reported that Eric had developed winds equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane.^[1] Around that time, TCWC Nadi reported that Cyclone Eric had peaked in intensity with winds of 90 mph (145 km/h) as a high-end Category 3 tropical cyclone.^[3] Accelerating, the storm was first observed on radarin Nadi on 0300 UTC on January 17. At that time, the storm had a well and clearly defined eye that was 25 mi (40 km) in diameter. TCWC Nadi was able to closely monitor the storms' every move on radar until 0700 UTC that day. An hour later, Cyclone Eric was situated near Malolo Island. Shortly thereafter, Severe Tropical Cyclone Eric made landfall in Viti Levu. According to eyewitness accounts, the eye of Eric moved ashore from 0815 UTC to 0845 UTC in Tavaura Island, an island located just south of Malolo Island.^[2]

After passing briefly re-appearing back on Fijji radar,^[2] according to the JTWC, Eric developed peak intensity of 115 mph (185 km/h), a Category 3 hurricane midday on January 17.^[1] Shortly after its peak, Eric began to weaken. By January 18, TCWC Nadi reported that the cyclone had weakened into the equivalent of a Category 2 cyclone.^[3] Meanwhile, the system approached Tonga, at 0300 UTC January 18, Eric passed very close to the Haapai island group in Tonga.^[2] Continuing to deteriorate, the JTWC then reported that the storm had weaken into a Category 2 hurricane. Several hours later, Cyclone Eric weakened further into a Category 1 system.^[1] By the evening, TCWC Nadi had downgraded the system into Category 2 equivalent winds. Gradually turning southeast, Nadi downgraded the system into high-end Category 1 tropical cyclone.^[3] Furthermore, the JTWC announced the winds of Eric had fallen below hurricane-force.^[1] By January 20, both agencies stopped monitor the system as it began to move south-southeast.^[3]

Preparations

Prior to the arrival of Eric, a cyclone alert was issued for the island of Fiji. Offices in Suva were closed around during the afternoon hours of January 17 local time, enabling time to let the workers prepare their houses and businesses. All ships moved out of the port of Suva and took shelter elsewhere. In addition, the Nadi airport was closed and flights were diverted away from Fiji. Residents took shelter wherever they could to survive the storm.^[5]

Impact

Vanuatu

No significant damage was reported on the island group; the chain sustained worse damage from Nigel.^[2]

Fijji

Cyclone Eric was the first of two tropical cyclones to affect Fiji in a week's time frame, as Cyclone Nigel two days after Eric. Affecting a densely populated part of the island group,^[6] Eric brought $40 million (USD) in damage and took 25 lives.^[2] According to reports obtained from Sydney, 60 injuries were believed have been from Eric. At first, 14 people were reportedly dead the casualty number was expected to rise once telephone lines were restored, allowing more reports could be sustained.^[7] By January 18, Relief Web had reported that 16 people had been killed, though many were still missing at sea by that time. Extensive wind damage was reported; crop damage from Eric was also severe.^[8] Over 200 mm (10 in) of rainfall fell in some places, resulting in extensive flooding. The combined systems destroyed 9,500 homes; many schools, shops and, hotels had to be rebuilt because of the storm.^[5] Many recreational facilities as well as may commercial builds were also party or completely destroyed by the cyclone.^[2] About 30,000 persons were reported as homeless.^[9] A total of 299 farms were affecting by the storm, resulting in nearly $2 million in damage; however damage to the pine plantations was minor.^[6] No significant damage was reported as a reuslt of storm surge either.^[2]

Across Viti Levu, serious damage was reported. The Nadi airport was closed during the storm;^[8] four days after the passage of Eric, the airport re-opened for night operations. Damage from the airport alone totaled $1 million.^[9] The west part of Viti Levu as well as some other surrounding islands sustained the worst damage, though interior areas of Viti Levu suffered from severe crop damage.^[6]

Tonga

Throughout Tonga, the main damage was due to the destruction of a wharf, though 80% of the banana crop in one island.^[2]

Aftermath

Within a few days after the passage of both Eric and Nigel, an emergency response team provided essential services like food and water and help restore communications, electricity and sewage networks. The Fiji government set up a committee to coordinate aid and created another to carry out urgently required aid, such as the distribution of food and medicine. Furthermore, evacuation centers were set up to assist victims. Overall, recovery from the two devastating cyclones took years. New Zealand and Australia each gave over $300,000. The former also sent a team of 19 people and a helicopter were sent to help with the recovery, which ended up taking years.^[5]

The UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs provided Fiji with supplies and a $10,000 cash grant. Meanwhile, the United States provided tents and water. China provided $35,000 in aid while while the United Kingdom provided an additional $64,000. In addition, Australia 261 plastic water contains, 184 tents, 89 gas cylinders, 180 stoves and $95,000. France also provided the devastated island. four military tents and 2.2 tons of plastic sheeting's.^[9] Due to the impact of Severe Tropical Cyclone Eric, the name Eric was withdrawn from the lists of tropical cyclone names and retired.^[10]

See also

• Cyclone Evan
• Cyclone Kina

References

External links

• World Meteorological Organization
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• Meteorological Service of New Zealand
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center

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