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A tropical (also known as typhoons or hurricanes) is a violent rotating windstorm that develops over warm tropical waters warner than 26.5°C and located between 5° and 15°latitude.

Tropical affect nearly all Pacific Islands countries and are the most frequent hazard to affect with around 2 – 3 cyclones occurring every year. As a result of climate change, cyclone frequency has doubled in the last decade. The cyclone season in Fiji runs from November to April and some cyclones do occur outside the season. T ropical Cyclone Strong winds can devastating western continue for hours, days, and killing seven people. even causing widespread damage to buildings, Storm surges and waves infrastructure and created by low atmospheric vegetation and causing pressure and strong cyclonic loss of life. winds blowing over long distance. A storm surge is a Wind speed levels of a raised dome of seawater about are; 60-80km wide and 2-5m higher Force Winds : 63-87 km/h than normal sea level. As the Storm force winds : 88-117 km/h cyclone makes landfall, storm Hurricane force winds : 117 + km/h surge and waves inundate coastal areas. At the coast, Torrential rains can result in widespread flash flooding and storm surge and waves are the river flooding. Up to 600mm and more of high intensity rain can greatest threat to life and be produced in one day. These rains can also trigger property and also cause severe landslides in hilly areas, which may already be sodden due to coastal erosion. In low-lying atolls, a surge may inundate the previous rains. whole island. Eg. Although Cyclone Dani skirted past Fiji in 1999, it brought with it torrential rains that caused severe flash flooding, Further Salt spray and Lightning can cause considerable damage to crops, forests and infrastructure. Cyclone Categories TROPICAL CYCLONE SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE Damages: Damages: Damages: Extensive Damages: Extreme Damages: Catastrophic Minimal Moderate Structural damage to Extensive curtainwall failures, Complete root failures, No real damage to Damage to roof, houses, utility buildings. roofing failures on small some complete building buildings. Coastal window, and door. Shrubs stripped, large houses. Extensive damage – failures, utility buildings road flooding and Piers, shrubs trees felled. Low lying doors, windows. Low-lying blown away. Severe and minor pier damage. damages, trees escape routes cut off. escape routes cut off. Major extensive window and door Eg. TC Gene Jan felled. Coastal and Terrain less than 1.5m damage to lower floors of damage. Low-lying escape 27-29, 2008. low-lying escape above sea level nearshore structures. Terrain routes cut off. Major Wind Speed routes flood. Craft flooded. Coastal lower than 3m above sea damage to lower floors of (km/h): break moorings. evacuation. level may flood. Massive all structures less than 119-153 Eg. TC Mick Dec Eg. TC Ami Jan 12-15, evacuation up to 10km 4.5m above sea level. 1Storm Surge 213-15, 2009 2003.3 inland.4 Massive5 evacuation up to (m): Wind Speed Wind Speed Eg. TC Evan Dec 16-18, 16km inland. Eg. TC 1-1.5 (km/h): 154-177 (km/h): 178-209 2012. Winston Feb 20th Storm Surge Storm Surge (m): Wind Speed (km/h): Wind Speed (km/h): (m): 1.5-2.5 2.5-3.5 210-249 °>250 Storm Surge (m): 3.5-5.5 Storm Surge (m): >5.5 How to Prepare PRE-SEASON PREPARATIONS DURING THE CYCLONE • Be aware of Cyclone Warning Systems • Disconnect all electrical appliances but listen to your battery • Check your house for structural weaknesses ratio for further information. • Identify the safest room in your house • Open louvres on side away from wind to reduce the pull • Clear your property of loose objects/material that could blow force of the wind on the roof. about during extreme winds. Trim tree branches away from • Remain calm, stay indoors but clear of doors and windows. windows and power lines Remain in the strongest part of the building. • In case of a storm surge warning, know the nearest safe high • Only use the telephones for very urgent calls ground and the safest access route to it. • If the building breaks up, protect yourself with rugs or • Prepare an emergency kit for the family containing a mattresses under a strong table/bench or hold onto a solid portable radio with spare batteries, torch, fuel lamp, candles, fixture (eg. A water pipe). matches, water containers, canned food with opener, spare clothes and beddings, masking tape for windows and plastic bags. BEWARE OF THE EYE OF THE STORM: • Clear all drains and waterways on the property. If the cyclone eye passes over a sudden lull in winds occurs • Ensure houses have proper provision for earthing lightning. and may last up to two (2) hours. The other side of the cyclone then hits and winds resume with equal strength but blowing UPON HEARING A CYCLONE WARNING from the other direction. It is vitally important to remain in • Listen to your radio for further information. shelter during and after the eye passes. • Fill water containers and fuel car (if you have one) • Store or tie down all loose objects in the house. AFTER THE CYCLONE WIND STORM HAS • Batten down roof. Fix any loose parts of the house. PASSED • Close off shutters. If you live in a flood-prone area, take flood • Don’t go outside until officially advised it is safe precautions. • Do not attempt to drive and don’t allow children to roam • Ensure all the members of the family are present; keep around outside. children away from swollen drains and waterways. • Beware of fallen power lines, damaged buildings, trees or • If your house is not structurally safe, prepare to move to the flooded waterways. nearest evacuation centre. • Listen to your radio for advice and updates. • Collect firewood and keep in a dry place.

Tropical Cyclone Winston inflicted extensive damage on many islands and killed 44 people. A total of 40,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and approximately 350,000 people—roughly 40 percent of Fiji's population—were significantly impacted by the storm. Total damage from Winston amounted to FJ$2.98 billion (US$1.4 billion).

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICE 1 Knolly Street, . Phone: 3319250. Fax: 3319315

www.ndmofiji.gov.fj