Cyclone Tomas
{{Short description|Category 4 South Pacific cyclone in 2010}}
{{Other hurricane uses|List of storms named Tomas|the 2010 South Pacific cyclone}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name=Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomas
| image=Tomas 14 mar 2010 2330Z.jpg
| caption=Cyclone Tomas near peak intensity off the coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji
}}{{Infobox weather event/History
| formed=March 9, 2010
| dissipated=March 20, 2010
| extratropical=March 16, 2010
}}{{Infobox weather event/FMS
| winds=100
| pressure=925
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds=115
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year=2010
| damage=45000000
| fatalities=3 total
| areas=Fiji
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season=2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season
}}
Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomas was the most intense tropical cyclone to strike Fiji since Cyclone Bebe in 1972. Forming out of a tropical disturbance on March 9, 2010, designated 14F by the Fiji Meteorological Service, the system gradually organized within an environment favoring intensification. By March 11, the disturbance had strengthened sufficiently to be classified as Tropical Cyclone Tomas, the eighth named storm of the 2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season. Modest intensification took place over the following few days, with the system attaining severe tropical cyclone status on March 13. On March 14, Tomas began to impact parts of Fiji while continuing to gain strength. As it passed near Vanua Levu on March 15, the cyclone attained its peak intensity with winds of {{convert|175|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and a pressure of 930 hPa (mbar) according to the FMS. At the same time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center assessed it as a Category 4 equivalent storm with 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|215|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.
Cyclone Tomas proved to be very destructive throughout Fiji, leaving many homeless and entire villages under water. At least one person has been confirmed to have been killed by the storm after being swept out to sea while rescuing family members. Reports from outlying islands state that entire homes have been flattened by wind gusts up to {{convert|280|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.
Meteorological history
{{storm path|Tomas 2010 track.png}}
Shortly after the first advisory on Tropical Disturbance 13F was issued on March 9, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) began monitoring a new disturbance, designated 14F, further east.{{cite web|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=March 9, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |title=Nadi Marine Bulletin for March 9, 2010 at 1800 UTC |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, deep convection began to develop around the disturbance's low-level circulation, prompting the JTWC to begin monitoring it for possible cyclonic development.{{Cite FTP |date=March 10, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |server=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |url-status=dead |title=Significant Tropical Weather Outlook for the Western and South Pacific Oceans |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2010031016-ABPW.PGTW }} Later on March 10, the FMS upgraded the system to a tropical depression as it continued to become better organized.{{cite web|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=March 10, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |title=Nadi Marine Bulletin for March 10, 2010 at 1800 UTC |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/FQPS01_201003101800.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240520150506/https://www.webcitation.org/5o8LXp4Gs?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/FQPS01_201003101800.htm |archivedate=May 20, 2024 }} Located within an environment characterized by low wind shear, further intensification was anticipated as convection continued to develop over the expanding system.{{Cite FTP |date=March 11, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |server=Fiji Meteorological Service |url-status=dead |title=Tropical Depression 14F Advisory A1 and A2 |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2010031100.WTPS11 }} Around 1500 UTC on March 11, the JTWC issued their first advisory on the cyclone, classifying it as Tropical Storm 19P.{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=March 11, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |title=Tropical Cyclone 19P Advisory NR 001 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtps32.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808092834/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtps32.pgtw..txt |archivedate=August 8, 2010 }} Several hours later, the FMS upgraded the system to a Category 1 cyclone and gave it the name Tomas. Rapid intensification was expected to take place over the following 48 hours as sea surface temperatures ahead of the storm averaged {{convert|30|C|F|abbr=on}}, well-above the threshold for tropical cyclone development.{{Cite FTP |date=March 12, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |server=Fiji Meteorological Service |url-status=dead |title=Tropical Cyclone Tomas Advisory A6 |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2010031200.WTPS11 }}
File:Tomas Ului 16 mar 2010 0305Z.jpg
Throughout the day on March 12, Tomas steadily intensified,{{Cite FTP |date=March 12, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |server=Fiji Meteorological Service |url-status=dead |title=Tropical Cyclone Tomas Storm Warning Ten |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2010031212.WTPS01 }} and early the next day, the JTWC upgraded the storm to a Category 1 equivalent hurricane with winds of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=United States Navy|year=2010|access-date=March 14, 2010|title=Tropical Cyclone 19P (Tomas) Running Best Track|url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/geoips/tcdat/tc10/SHEM/19P.TOMAS/trackfile.txt}} Convective banding substantially increased on March 13, allowing Tomas to become the fourth severe tropical cyclone of the season early the next morning.{{Cite FTP |date=March 14, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |server=Fiji Meteorological Service |url-status=dead |title=Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomas Advisory A13 |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2010031400.WTPS11 }} Around the same time, the JTWC assessed the storm to have attained winds of {{convert|155|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, ranking it as a Category 2 cyclone. By the afternoon of March 14, Tomas had developed a banding-eye feature surrounded by deep convection. At this point, the FMS assessed the storm to have winds of {{convert|150|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and a pressure of 950 hPa (mbar).{{Cite FTP |date=March 14, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2010 |server=Fiji Meteorological Service |url-status=dead |title=Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomas Advisory A15 |url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2010031412.WTPS11 }} The JTWC also noted further intensification, upgrading Tomas to a Category 3 equivalent storm. As it passed near Vanua Levu on March 15, the cyclone attained its peak intensity with winds of {{convert|175|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and a pressure of 930 hPa (mbar) according to the FMS. At the same time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center assessed it as a Category 4 equivalent storm with 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|215|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.
Impact
One person was killed on Vanua Levu after being swept out to sea by large swells while trying to rescue her two sisters, a niece and a nephew near Namilamila Bay.{{cite web|author= Vaimoana Tapaleao|work=New Zealand Herald|date=March 16, 2010|accessdate=March 15, 2010|title=Storms fiercer than Katrina batter Fiji and Solomons|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10632300}}
In the northernmost islands of Fiji, communication with Cikobia and Qelelevu was lost on March 15 as the cyclone passed through the region. Officials feared that severe damage and loss of life occurred on the island. Many homes along rivers and the Pacific were washed away by rising waters and tides exceeding {{convert|7|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Parts of the region have been soaked with upwards of {{convert|350|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain over a two-day span with more falling. Power and running water was disrupted to numerous islands, forcing thousands to seek shelter. During the initial assessment of damage, at least 50 homes were confirmed to have been destroyed by Tomas. This prompted Fijian officials to declare a State of disaster for the northern and eastern divisions of Fiji.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|work=New Zealand Herald|date=March 16, 2010|accessdate=March 16, 2010|title='Few' deaths, 18,000 evacuated as Tomas smashes Fiji|url=
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10632415&pnum=0}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/FJI_TC_Tomas_2010_NDMO_declratn.pdf|title=Natural Disaster Management Act 1998: Declaration of Natural Disaster|author=Commodore J.V. Bainimarama|date=2010-03-16|publisher=Pacific Disaster.net|accessdate=2010-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724185909/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/FJI_TC_Tomas_2010_NDMO_declratn.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}
On its way, the cyclone has passed near Futuna island, heavily damaging an important part of houses and other buildings and cutting the water and electricity supply, but leaving no human casualties. The most severed was the north-eastern part of the island and notably the village of Poi and its surroundings. There, the islands only road was washed away and most of the houses were completely demolished by strong wind and rising waves.
After the storm, the governments of New Zealand and Australia each sent $1 million in their respective currencies to Fiji. The New Zealand Air Force sent relief supplies, including tarps and water purifying equipment.{{cite web|author=NZPA |work=TVNZ |year=2010 |title=Govt commits $1m to Fiji after cyclone |accessdate=2010-03-16 |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/govt-commits-1m-fiji-after-cyclone-3419828 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323073615/http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/govt-commits-1m-fiji-after-cyclone-3419828 |archivedate=2010-03-23 }}
See also
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category|Cyclone Tomas (2010)}}
{{SPAC EL's}}
{{Retired South Pacific cyclones}}
{{2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season buttons}}
{{Category 4 South Pacific severe tropical cyclones}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tomas (2010)}}
Category:Tropical cyclones in Fiji
Category:Category 4 South Pacific cyclones
Category:2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season
Category:Tropical cyclones in Wallis and Futuna
Category:Retired South Pacific cyclones