- Cyclone Funa
-
Severe Tropical Cyclone Funa Category 4 cyclone (Australian scale) Category 3 cyclone (SSHS) 
Funa at Peak intensity Formed January 14, 2008 Dissipated January 21, 2008 Highest winds 10-minute sustained:
175 km/h (110 mph)
1-minute sustained:
195 km/h (120 mph)Lowest pressure 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg) Fatalities None reported Areas affected New Zealand, Vanuatu Part of the 2007-08 South Pacific cyclone season Severe Tropical Cyclone Funa (RSMC Nadi designation:10F, JTWC designation:12P) was the tenth Tropical Disturbance, ninth Tropical Depression, third Tropical Cyclone as well as the second Severe Tropical Cyclone of the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season to form to the west of longitude 160°E. Funa was also the strongest cyclone of 2008 within the South Pacific.
Contents
Meteorological history
Storm path
Late on January 14, 2008, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji, reported that a weak tropical disturbance had formed embedded in a monsoon trough about 485 km (300 mi), to the west of Espiritu Santo, Vanautu.[1][2]
Preparations and impact
Severe damage occurred over the groups of islands in the Torba, Sanma and Penama provinces of Vanuatu, particularly on dwellings (made of local material), trees and crops. Over the Banks group, coastal villages were reported to have been inundated by sea flooding, while in Maewo, there was evidence of sea flooding. On Motalava and Rah islands, as well as Gaua in Santa Maria island, bungalows, resorts and restaurants along the coast were either washed away or inundated by sea flooding, according to their provincial council reports. Most schools in the Torba and Penama provinces sustained major damages to classrooms and other semi-permanent structures, while other buildings had their roofs ripped off. There were no reports of any fatalities but minor casualties were confirmed. No damage report on Espiritu Santo has been received, to date.
On January 19, a cruise ship, the Pacific Star, encountered 7 metre (22.9 ft) waves produced by Funa. Numerous windows were broken on the ship as it was tossed around by the waves. Water poured into passengers rooms through broken windows, causing panic throughout the ship. Five people were injured, one of whom sustained a broken rib after falling out of bed when a wave hit the ship. The bar area of the ship was reportedly significantly damaged and dishes and glasses were shattered in the kitchen.[3]
The remnants of Funa produced high winds in the North Island of New Zealand which knocked down numerous trees, cutting power to 16,000 residents on the island. Downed power lines sparked several fires.[4] Waves up to 5 m (16.4 ft) impacted coastal regions of New Zealand, forcing boaters to remain in port.[5] Upwards of 300 mm (11.8 in) of rain fell across parts of New Zealand and gale-force winds fanned brushfires.[6]
After the season had ended, it was announced that Cyclone Funa had been retired from RSMC Nadi's list of tropical cyclone names, and would be replaced by Fotu.[7]
See also
- List of Southern Hemisphere cyclone seasons
- 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season
- Cyclone Guba
- Timeline of the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season
References
- ^ "Tropical Disturbance Summary 2007-01-14 21z". Fiji Meteorological Service. 2007-01-14. http://www.webcitation.org/5Ur1lInpF. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ "RSMC Nadi - Tropical Cyclone Centre Tropical Cyclone Summary 2007-2008 Season". Fiji Meteorological Service. World Meterological Organisation. 2009-10-31. http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/Best%20Tracks/documents/TCSeasonalSummary07-08.doc. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
- ^ Beck Vass (January 23, 2008). "Chaos and screams as cyclone hits cruise ship". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10488247&ref=rss. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (January 23, 2008). "Powerco blames trees for power cuts". Television New Zealand Limited. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/410965/1554565. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (January 20, 2008). "Cyclone causes havoc in Northland". Television New Zealand Limited. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1550858. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (December 20, 2008). "The weather over the past four seasons". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10548987. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
- ^ Fiji Meteorological Service (08-12-2008). "Seasonal Summuary 2007-08". World Meterological Organisation. http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/RAVTCC-12FinalReport.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
External links
- World Meteorological Organization
- Fiji Meteorological Service
- Meteorological Service of New Zealand
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center
1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Categories:- Retired South Pacific cyclones
- Tropical cyclones in New Zealand
- Tropical cyclones in Vanuatu
- 2008 in New Zealand
- 2008 in Vanuatu
- Category 4 South Pacific cyclones
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