Cyclone Hellen

{{Short description|2014 South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone}}

{{about|the 2014 cyclone|other similarly named storms|List of storms named Helen}}

{{Infobox weather event

| name = Tropical Cyclone Hellen

| image = Hellen 2014-03-30 0721Z.jpg

| caption = Cyclone Hellen rapidly intensifying on March 30 over the Mozambique Channel

| formed = March 27, 2014

| remnant = April 1, 2014

| dissipated = April 5, 2014

}}{{Infobox weather event/MF

| winds = 125

| gusts = 175

| pressure = 915

}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC

| winds = 130

| pressure = 926

}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects

| damage = Unknown

| fatalities = 8

| missing = 9

| areas = Mozambique, Comoro Islands, Madagascar

| refs = {{cite web |title=HELLEN : 2014-03-26 TO 2014-04-05 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/saisons_archivees/20132014/2013RE14.html |publisher=Météo-France La Réunion |access-date=July 28, 2023}}

}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer

| season = 2013–14 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

}}

Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Hellen of March 2014 was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones in the Mozambique Channel on record, as well as the most intense of the 2013–14 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. Hellen formed on March 26 in the northern portion of the channel, and the storm brought rainfall to coastal Mozambique while in its formative stages. While moving southeastward, it developed an organized area of convection over the center of circulation. Warm waters allowed Hellen to rapidly intensify while passing south of the Comoros, with a well-defined eye forming in the middle of the thunderstorms. The cyclone attained peak intensity March 30, with maximum sustained winds estimated {{convert|125|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}} according to the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, Météo-France in La Réunion. Subsequently, Hellen weakened quickly due to dry air and land interaction with Madagascar, and the storm's eye dissipated. On March 31, the storm made landfall in northwestern Madagascar as a weakened cyclone, despite previous forecasts for the center to remain over water. By April 1, Hellen was no longer a tropical cyclone after most of the convection dissipated. The remnants turned to the west, moving over Mozambique without redeveloping, later dissipating on April 5.

Early in its existence, Hellen's rainfall in Mozambique destroyed hundreds of houses and a bridge. Flooding killed four people in the country, three of whom due to a home collapsing. Later, the cyclone passed south of the Comoros islands, causing flooding due to high storm surge and waves that killed one person. The storm forced 8,956 people to evacuate their homes due to the threat for landslides, while 901 houses were damaged or destroyed. On nearby Mayotte, high rainfall flooded rivers, sweeping one car away. In northwestern Madagascar, Hellen damaged or destroyed 611 houses, leaving 1,736 people homeless. The storm killed three people after capsizing a boat.

Meteorological history

On March 25, 2014, a weak area of low pressure accompanied by broad, flaring convection became increasingly organized over Mozambique. Owing to favorable environmental conditions, featuring low wind shear, vorticity became more enhanced and symmetrical.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |title=Significant Tropical Weather Outlook for the Indian Ocean |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ab/abio10.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522021655/https://www.webcitation.org/6OLYp4e8S?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201403252130.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} A compact system, the low steadily organized as it emerged over the Mozambique Channel on March 26. Though continued land interaction initially hindered development,{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 26, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |title=Significant Tropical Weather Outlook for the Indian Ocean |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ab/abio10.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522021812/https://www.webcitation.org/6ON78ZSFO?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201403260630.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} enhanced outflow supported convective development as it straddled the Mozambique–Tanzania border. With high sea surface temperatures in the storm's track, the JTWC anticipated further organization and issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert at 2000 UTC on March 26.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 26, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs21.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522021733/https://www.webcitation.org/6ON6xi69e?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTXS21-PGTW_201403262000.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Once further offshore on March 27, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center Météo-France in La Réunion classified the system as Disturbance 14.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2014 |title=Disturbance 14 Warning 001 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio22.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522021854/https://www.webcitation.org/6OPUfwFr8?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO22-FMEE_201403271231.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Drifting slowly eastward, a prominent feeder band developed along the system's eastern side; however, this band disrupted low-level inflow of warm, moist air, and suppressed convection over the circulation center.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2014 |title=Tropical Disturbance 14 Forecast Warning 002 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522021936/https://www.webcitation.org/6OPUnTngj?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403280707.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }}

Though convection later began to consolidate into a small central dense overcast (CDO) feature by March 28, continued disruption of the low-level inflow prevented much development. Météo-France noted that despite forecasting the storm to peak as a moderate tropical storm, with winds of {{convert|45|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}}, there was potential for rapid intensification due to the storm's small size.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2014 |title=Tropical Disturbance 14 Forecast Warning 004 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022014/https://www.webcitation.org/6OQDfjsZE?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403281916.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Conversely, the JTWC noted that proximity to land and dry mid-level air, represented by surface outflow boundaries, could hamper significant development. Once further over the Mozambique Channel, the system became increasingly organized and the JTWC initiated advisories on the storm as Tropical Cyclone 21S.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone 21S (Twenty-One) Warning NR 001 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022054/https://www.webcitation.org/6OQDpNoVQ?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTXS31-PGTW_201403282100.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Météo-France followed suit at 0000 UTC on March 29 and classified the cyclone as a moderate tropical storm, with the tropical cyclone warning center in Madagascar assigning the name Hellen.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 29, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2014 |title=Moderate Tropical Storm 14 (Hellen) Forecast Warning 005 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022133/https://www.webcitation.org/6OQoP93Wd?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403290055.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Hellen soon assumed an east-southeast track toward Madagascar, as a ridge established itself to the northeast. Throughout March 29, the storm became increasingly organized with an eye apparent on microwave satellite imagery.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 29, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2014 |title=Moderate Tropical Storm 14 (Hellen) Forecast Warning 007 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022334/https://www.webcitation.org/6OSHTkcqU?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403291250.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }}

Rapid to explosive intensification ensued during the later half of March 29 into March 30 at a rate Météo-France later referred to as "astounding". Deep convective banding wrapped around a ragged eye,{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone 21S (Hellen) Warning NR 004 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022213/https://www.webcitation.org/6OSHjtc1u?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTXS31-PGTW_201403300300.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} which soon contracted to "pinhole" size.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone 14 (Hellen) Forecast Warning 009 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022256/https://www.webcitation.org/6OSHTGL8j?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403300053.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} This prompted Météo-France to upgrade Hellen to a tropical cyclone with winds estimated at {{convert|85|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}} at 0000 UTC on March 30. Six hours later, they further upgraded the storm to an intense tropical cyclone with winds of {{convert|105|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}}.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 14 (Hellen) Forecast Warning 010 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522001137/https://www.webcitation.org/6OSHSzFly?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403300718.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Hellen attained its peak intensity between 1100 and 1500 UTC as a very intense tropical cyclone, with winds of {{convert|125|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}}, gusts reaching {{convert|175|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}}, and a barometric pressure of 915 mbar (hPa; {{convert|915|mbar|inHg|lk=on|abbr=on|sigfig=4|disp=out}}). This ranked it as one of the most powerful storms over the Mozambique Channel on record. The storm featured a {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide eye embedded within a symmetrical and intense CDO, spanning {{convert|240|km|mi|abbr=on}} across.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone 21S (Hellen) Warning NR 005 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022615/https://www.webcitation.org/6OTim109B?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTXS31-PGTW_201403301500.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} The JTWC estimated Hellen to have attained one-minute sustained winds of {{convert|135|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}}, making it a high-end Category 4-equivalent cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, although this was lowered to {{convert|130|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}} in reanalysis.{{cite web|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=United States Navy|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2014|title=Tropical Cyclone 21S (Hellen) Operational Best Track|url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/geoips/tcdat/tc14/SHEM/21S.HELLEN/trackfile.txt|format=.TXT}}

After peak intensity, the cyclone's eye soon began to fill and cool as weakening ensued. Defying previous forecasts, Hellen continued on a southeasterly track toward Madagascar and the likelihood of it making landfall became apparent.{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |title=Very Intense Tropical Cyclone 14 (Hellen) Forecast Warning 012 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022456/https://www.webcitation.org/6OTij79Xd?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403301845.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} By the end of March 30, Hellen's eye had collapsed and disappeared from satellite imagery,{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |title=Very Intense Tropical Cyclone 14 (Hellen) Forecast Warning 013 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022414/https://www.webcitation.org/6OTiiuFQO?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201403310106.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} as the combination of dry air and land interaction took their toll on the storm.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone 21S (Hellen) Warning NR 006 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022535/https://www.webcitation.org/6OTilnsMK?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTXS31-PGTW_201403310300.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} At about 0800 UTC on March 31, Hellen made landfall on Mitsinjo with winds of {{convert|60|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}}, and the previously unfavorable conditions coupled with land interaction to induce rapid weakening.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=April 8, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone 21S (Hellen) Warning NR 007 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022738/https://www.webcitation.org/6OVFeBkQZ?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTXS31-PGTW_201403311500.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} The ridge to the east turned Hellen to a southwest drift over land. By early on April 1, the convection largely dissipated as the center became difficult to locate, with peak winds dropping to {{convert|25|kn|km/h mph|order=out|round=5|abbr=on}}. As a result, Météo-France discontinued advisories that day,{{cite report|work=Météo-France |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=April 11, 2014 |title=Overland Depression 14 (Ex-Hellen) Forecast Warning 017 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022816/https://www.webcitation.org/6OVFXNBAg?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201404010013.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} as did the JTWC.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=April 11, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone 21S (Hellen) Warning NR 008 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022700/https://www.webcitation.org/6OVFdxDAH?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTXS31-PGTW_201404010300.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} The remnants moved back over open waters, but were not expected to reorganize due to the poor nature of the convection.{{cite report|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |title=Significant Tropical Weather Outlook for the Indian Ocean |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ab/abio10.pgtw..txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522022856/https://www.webcitation.org/6OWncgIff?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201404011330.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url-status=dead }} As the low continued to the west, the convection increased on April 4 while approaching the coastline of Mozambique,{{Cite report|work=Météo-France |date=April 4, 2014 |access-date=April 11, 2014 |title=Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201404041120.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143328/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201404041120.pdf |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }} although the system failed to redevelop before moving onshore.{{Cite report|work=Météo-France |date=April 5, 2014 |access-date=April 11, 2014 |title=Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201404041120.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6OkygqZdj?url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201404051100.pdf |archive-date=April 11, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

Preparations and impact

File:Cyclone Hellen Apr 1 2014.jpg

During its formative stages, Hellen meandered around northern Mozambique and produced prolonged heavy rains over the region. The city of Pemba in Cabo Delgado Province was the hardest hit area, with the Messalo River over-topping its banks. Tagir Carimo, mayor of Pemba, described the rains as the heaviest he had seen in 20 years. More than 100 poorly constructed homes collapsed in the floods while severe erosion exposed and destroyed water pipes. A major bridge connecting Pemba to surrounding areas was washed away by the Messalo river. This isolated the northern portion of Cabo Delgado Province from the rest of the country, forcing ferries to transport cars.{{Cite news|title=Mozambique: Flooding Cuts Off Northern Cabo Delgado|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|publisher=AllAfrica|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201403312393.html}} Three people died in the district of Cariaco when their home collapsed while a fourth drowned in Chiuba.{{cite web|publisher=AllAfrica|date=March 30, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2014|location=Maputo, Mozambique|title=Mozambique: Four Dead in Torrential Rains in Pemba|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201403310488.html}} Distributing assistance following the storm was disrupted by damaged roads.

=Comoro Islands=

Heavy rains and storm surge caused significant damage on all three islands of the Comoros, with the worst occurring on Anjouan. There, 901 houses were damaged, of which about 20% were destroyed. Flooding displaced 389 people in Salamani where 33 mud-built homes were destroyed. Landslides isolated the villages of Chiconi, Hamaba, Koni-Djodjo, Miringoni, and Nioumachioi, and damaged a road between Ngandzalé and Domoni. On the island, 7,879 people had to evacuate their houses due to the risk of further landslides, some of whom went to schools set up as shelters while others stayed with family or friends.{{cite web|work=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|title=Flash Update: Thousands affected in Comoros and Mozambique; alerts lifted in Madagascar|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/flash-update-thousands-affected-comoros-and-mozambique-alerts-lifted-madagascar}} Storm surge on Mohéli flooded parts of Tsamia, Walla, and Zirindani, resulting in one fatality.{{cite web|work=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=April 1, 2014|access-date=April 1, 2014|title=Tropical Depression Hellen overview (as of 1 April 2014)|url=http://reliefweb.int/map/madagascar/tropical-depression-hellen-overview-1-april-2014}} Several houses were damaged on the island, and Djandro lost power due to a damaged power line. The Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in Moroni on Grande Comore was closed for about 24 hours due to the storm. Also on the island, a road was damaged, and one house was flooded.{{cite web|work=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|title=Cyclone Hellen (as of 2 April 2014)|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Comoros_Hellen%20Impact_02%20April%202014_OCHA%20ROSA.pdf}} Shortly after the storm, workers began repairing roads and distributing aid.

Though the center of Cyclone Hellen remained south of Mayotte, it prompted an "orange alert" on March 30 for the area due to the potential for hurricane-force gusts.{{cite web|agency=Agence France-Presse|work=Le Parisien|date=March 30, 2014|access-date=March 30, 2014|title=Mayotte : le cyclone Hellen s'éloigne, mais l'alerte reste en vigueur|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/environnement/mayotte-sous-la-menace-du-cyclone-hellen-30-03-2014-3722167.php|language=fr}} The storm's rapid intensification caught most residents on the island off-guard, with widespread disruptions to traffic and electricity taking place. Wind gusts up to {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} downed trees and power lines, blocking off roads while heavy rains caused significant flooding. A peak 24‑hour rainfall of {{convert|239|mm|in|abbr=on}} was measured in Mtsamboro between March 29 and 30.{{cite web|publisher=La Chaîne Météo|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2014|title=Cyclone Hellen : Madagascar en ligne de mire|url=http://actualite.lachainemeteo.com/actualite-meteo/2014-03-31-08h00/cyclone-hellen---madagascar-en-ligne-de-mire-24702.php|language=fr}} In M'Tsangamouji, cars were swept away by a swollen river. Along the coast, waves up to {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}} damaged marinas in Dzaoudzi, Hagnoundrou, and Mamoudzou where skiffs were smashed against rocks or stranded.{{cite web|publisher=Mayotte Hebdo|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2014|title=Mayotte se souviendra d'Hellen|url=http://www.mayottehebdo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11436:mayotte-se-souviendra-dhellen&catid=81:mayotte-environnement&Itemid=39|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331183243/http://www.mayottehebdo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11436:mayotte-se-souviendra-dhellen&catid=81:mayotte-environnement&Itemid=39|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2014|language=fr}}

=Madagascar=

On March 31, a boat capsized off the coast of northwest Madagascar, killing three and leaving nine others missing. High seas washed away 20 canoes along the coast.{{cite web|work=Government of Madagascar|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=April 10, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|title=Update on the situation: Intense Tropical Cyclone "Hellen", 10 April 2014|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/point-de-situation-cyclone-tropical-intense-hellen-10-avril-2014}} Initial assessments of damage across Madagascar were initially hampered by poor weather and inaccessibility. The storm flooded {{convert|7795|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of rice fields across the country, as well as {{convert|114|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of other crops, threatening harvests after a locust outbreak had occurred in the months prior to the storm. The storm also killed 23 zebu and damaged two dams. Cyclone Hellen destroyed 437 houses and damaged or flooded 174 others, leaving 1,736 people homeless during its passage. The storm also damaged two health facilities and five schools. Overall impact from Hellen was less than expected due to its weakening, with most telephone lines still intact.{{cite web|work=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=April 1, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|title=Impact of Hellen less than feared; needs assessments continue|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/impact-hellen-less-feared-needs-assessments-continue}}

Due to the storm affecting water access in northwestern Madagascar, there was concern for a disease outbreak, with a flu outbreak noted in Mahajanga. The national Red Cross utilized 54 volunteers to assist in the storm's aftermath, such as distributing kitchen kits and agriculture units. Residents donated 2 million ariary ($800 USD) to the Red Cross, which were used to purchase medicines, while the government provided {{convert|600|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of rice for affected residents.{{cite web|work=Government of Madagascar|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=April 4, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|title=Point de Situation Cyclone Tropical Intense Hellen|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/PShellen1.pdf}}

References

Hellen

Hellen 2014