Cyclone Oli

{{expand section|date=February 2023}}

{{storm path|Oli 2010 track.png}}

Severe Tropical Cyclone Oli was first identified by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) early on 29 January. In their first advisory on the system, the FMS designated the system as Tropical Disturbance 07F and centered roughly 700 km, (430 mi) north-west of Suva, Fiji.{{cite web|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=January 29, 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2010 |title=Tropical Disturbance Summary |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/fq/fqps01.nffn..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923185657/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/fq/fqps01.nffn..txt |archivedate=September 23, 2008 }} The following day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began monitoring the disturbance as an area of mid-level convection. Satellite imagery depicted a developing low-level circulation center within the system as it moved within a region of moderate wind shear.{{Cite FTP |date=January 30, 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2010 |server=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |url-status=dead |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2010013012-ABPW.PGTW }} Later on 30 January, convective banding features developed along the periphery of the system as it moved eastward in response to a subtropical ridge to the north.{{Cite FTP |date=January 30, 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2010 |server=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |url-status=dead |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2010013020-ABPW.PGTW }} Around 0900 UTC on 31 January, the FMS upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression.{{cite web|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=January 31, 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2010 |title=Tropical Disturbance Summary |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ww/wwps21.nffn..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606214228/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ww/wwps21.nffn..txt |archivedate=June 6, 2010 }} Shortly thereafter, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) on the system, stating that the system was likely to develop into a tropical storm within 24 to 48 hours.{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=January 31, 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2010 |title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtps21.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426150045/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtps21.pgtw..txt |archivedate=April 26, 2010 }} Early the next day, the JTWC declared that the depression had intensified into a tropical storm and classified it as Tropical Cyclone 12P.{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=February 1, 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2010 |title=Tropical Cyclone 12P Advisory Number 001 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtps31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808001949/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtps31.pgtw..txt |archivedate=August 8, 2010 }}

Late on 31 January, RSMC Nadi placed the islands of Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow under a tropical cyclone alert, whilst a strong wind warning was put in place for the rest of the Northern Cook Islands. Early the next day, RSMC Nadi cancelled the alert for Pukapuka and Nassau, whilst placing Suwarrow island under a tropical cyclone warning. However the warning was cancelled later that day, after Oli had moved away.

Prior to Oli's arrival, roughly 3,400 people were evacuated from low-lying, coastal areas in Tahiti and the surrounding islands. As the storm bypassed Tahiti and nearby islands on 4 and 5 February, the local government declared a red alert as winds up to 195 km/h (120 mph) impacted the region. Numerous structures were damaged across the islands and several people were injured. Numerous power and telephone lines were knocked out, hampering communication on the affected islands.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=British Broadcasting Company|date=February 5, 2010|accessdate=February 5, 2010|title=French Polynesia islands battered by Cyclone Oli |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8497969.stm}}

After tracking by Tahiti, Oli turned southward and threatened the islands of French Polynesia. Officials quickly began urging people to evacuate to designated shelters and remain indoors. All flights were cancelled to and from the area as well as all seafaring vessels. All schools were closed prior to Oli's arrival.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=Kazakhstan News|date=February 5, 2010|accessdate=February 5, 2010|title=Cyclone Oli batters islands of Polynesia|url=http://www.kazakhstannews.net/story/597672|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008221147/http://www.kazakhstannews.net/story/597672|archive-date=2011-10-08|url-status=dead}} About 650 tourists were trapped on Bora Bora Island after transportation throughout the region was shut down. An estimated 4,000 residents on the islands evacuated to public shelters by 4 February.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|date=February 5, 2010|accessdate=February 5, 2010|title=Cyclone ravages French Polynesia|url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/cyclone-ravages-french-polynesia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607045431/http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/cyclone-ravages-french-polynesia|archive-date=June 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}

File:Cyclone Oli 2010-02-02 lrg.jpg

Minor damages were reported within the Cook Islands after they were affected by heavy rain, high seas and strong winds.{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/COK_TC_OLI_2010_UNOCHA_update1.pdf|title=UNOCHA Update No.1 on TC OLI|date=2010-02-02|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|accessdate=2010-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724185454/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/COK_TC_OLI_2010_UNOCHA_update1.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/COK_TC_OLI_2010_UNOCHA_update2.pdf|title=UNOCHA Update No.2 on TC OLI|date=2010-02-02|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|accessdate=2010-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724185543/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/COK_TC_OLI_2010_UNOCHA_update2.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/COK_TC_OLI_2010_UNOCHA_update3.pdf|title=UNOCHA Update No.3 on TC OLI|date=2010-02-03|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|accessdate=2010-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724185611/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/COK_TC_OLI_2010_UNOCHA_update3.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}} On Penrhyn and Pukapuka island heavy rain caused houses and roads to be flooded, whilst on Omoka island, wharfs were reported to have been damaged.

Numerous structures were damaged across the islands and several people were injured. Numerous power and telephone lines were knocked out, hampering communication on the affected islands. Major damage was reported in Papenoo.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer |publisher=Tahiti Press |date=February 5, 2010 |accessdate=February 5, 2010 |title=Cyclone Oli : l'EDT fait le point sur les dégâts à Tahiti |url=http://www.tahitipresse.pf/2010/02/cyclone-oli-lelectricite-de-tahiti-fait-le-point-sur-les-degats-a-tahiti/ |language=fr |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209061323/http://www.tahitipresse.pf/2010/02/cyclone-oli-lelectricite-de-tahiti-fait-le-point-sur-les-degats-a-tahiti/ |archivedate=February 9, 2010 }}

Shortly after the storm passed, power companies deployed crews to restore power to the island.

At least one person was killed by large swells produced by the storm around the island of Tubuai in the Austral islands, south of Tahiti. Hundreds of homes were damaged across the islands as strong winds, recorded up to {{convert|200|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} battered them. The winds also downed power and telephone lines and led to officials banning road travel. Winds up to {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} impacted Bora Bora Island during the storm's passage.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Company|date=February 4, 2010|accessdate=February 5, 2010|title=Tahiti braces for cyclone

|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/04/2810757.htm?section=world|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231051744/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/04/2810757.htm?section=world|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 December 2012}} A total of 40 homes were destroyed on the island and one person was seriously injured.{{cite news|author=Gilles Marsauche|newspaper=Le Monde|date=February 5, 2010|accessdate=February 5, 2010|title=Le cyclone Oli frappe la Polynésie française|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2010/02/05/le-cyclone-oli-frappe-la-polynesie-francaise_1301563_3244.html|language=fr}}

On the island of Tubuai alone, 200 homes sustained damage from the storm, leaving more than $11 million (USD) in monetary losses.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=RNZ |date=February 8, 2010|accessdate=7 October 2021 |title=Cyclone Oli estimated to have caused US$11m worth of damage|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/188563/cyclone-oli-estimated-to-have-caused-us$11m-worth-of-damage}} Total damage across the region was estimated at up to US$22.5 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2010/02/11/tong-sang-tours-storm-aftermath-tuamotus |title=TONG SANG TOURS STORM AFTERMATH IN TUAMOTUS |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=11 February 2010 |access-date=7 October 2021}}

Following the widespread damage from the storm, the local government declared a state of natural calamity. Additionally, the overseas minister of France pledged to establish a relief fund for victims of the storm.

In March 2010, the French Government committed 10 million Euros for the reconstruction of housing destroyed by the storm.{{cite web |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/french-polynesia-france/10-millions-deuros-pour-la-reconstruction-de-logements-en-polyn%C3%A9sie |title=10 millions d'euros pour la reconstruction de logements en Polynésie Française à la suite du cyclone « OLI » |publisher=ReliefWeb |language=fr |date=18 March 2010 |access-date=25 June 2022}}

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}

• Tropical cyclones in 2010
• Cyclone Pat (2010) – a strong tropical cyclone that affected the Cook Islands a few weeks after Oli.

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Cyclone Oli (2010)}}

{{SPAC EL's}}

{{Retired South Pacific cyclones}}

{{2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season buttons}}

{{Category 4 South Pacific severe tropical cyclones}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oli (2010)}}

Category:2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season

Category:Category 4 South Pacific cyclones

Category:Tropical cyclones in the Cook Islands

Category:Tropical cyclones in French Polynesia

Category:2010 in French Polynesia

Category:Retired South Pacific cyclones

Category:2010 in the Cook Islands

Oli