Cyclone Ivy
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | February 21, 2004 |
Extratropical | February 28, 2004 |
Dissipated | March 2, 2004 |
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 935 hPa (mbar); 27.61 inHg |
Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 195 km/h (120 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 938 hPa (mbar); 27.70 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 4 reported |
Damage | $3.8 million (2004 USD) |
Areas affected | Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and New Zealand |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ivy (Fiji Meteorological Service designation: 05F, Joint Typhoon Warning Center designation: 13P) was a tropical cyclone that affected about 25% of the population of Vanuatu in February 2004. It was first classified as a tropical disturbance on February 21 between Vanuatu and Fiji. The system tracked northwestward, gradually organizing and intensifying. After attaining tropical storm status on February 23, Ivy strengthened more quickly as it turned southwestward toward Vanuatu. It attained peak winds of 165 km/h (103 mph) while moving over Vanuatu, making it an intense Category 4 cyclone on the Australian Region Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale. By the time it passed through Vanuatu, Ivy had turned southeastward, and it gradually weakened while accelerating. After becoming extratropical on February 28, it passed just east of New Zealand and eventually dissipated on March 2.
The third significant cyclone in 14 months to affect the region, Ivy produced heavy rainfall and high winds in Vanuatu. Due to advance warning, only two people were killed, and several people were injured. The high winds damaged about 11,000 houses, leaving many people homeless. The cyclone passed very close to the Vanuatu capital city of
Meteorological history
In the middle of February 2004, a
After being named, Ivy quickly intensified after its convection was drawn into the circulation.
After passing slowly through Vanuatu, Ivy began accelerating to the southeast and its eye passed very close to the capital city of Port Vila,[1] after moving over the island of Epi.[6] As the cyclone moved away from the island group, it underwent an eyewall replacement cycle. In addition, the combination of cooler water temperatures, greater wind shear, less outflow, and land interaction with Vanuatu caused gradual weakening.[3][4] Late on February 27, Ivy entered the area of warning responsibility of New Zealand's MetService.[1] The convection rapidly diminished and left the circulation exposed,[3] and Ivy transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on February 28.[1] It remained strong and maintained a well-defined circulation as it passed just east of East Cape, New Zealand.[1][2] Continuing southeastward, the extratropical remnants crossed the International Date Line on February 29, and Ivy dissipated about 1,800 km (1,120 mi) southeast of New Zealand on March 2.[5]
Preparations and impact
While Ivy was reaching peak intensity, it passed through Vanuatu, becoming the third major cyclone in 14 months to affect the region, after
As the cyclone moved through Vanuatu, it cut off communications between the various islands,
Heavy damage occurred in the capital city of Port Vila, where flooding washed out small bridges.[10] Strong waves wrecked the main port there and also capsized two boats.[11] High winds downed trees and blocked roads across the capital,[12] with 70% of the nation's roads affected.[13] Several people were injured due to flying debris,[12] and one person was severely injured due to the storm.[8] The high winds affected 80% of the nation's food crops,[13] including the loss of much of the mango and banana crops as well as the ruination of about 75% of the coconut and cocoa crops.[2] The latter loss was significant due to its status as a cash crop.[1] The cyclone damaged 90% of the water facilities across the archipelago. It also damaged about 60% of the health centers, as well as 112 schools,[13] some of which were completely destroyed.[8] Monetary damage was estimated at VT427.6 million (2004 VUV, $3.8 million 2004 USD).[13] Due to advance warning, there were only two deaths in Vanuatu,[8] including one when a landslide killed a woman on Malakula island.[7]
In addition to affecting Vanuatu, Ivy produced heavy rainfall in
Aftermath
The local Red Cross offices in Port Vila and Luganville prepared general relief supplies before the storm's arrival, including tents, tool kits, and first aid units.[12] By four days after the cyclone's passage, the main wharf in Port Vila was re-opened and the two sunken boats were removed.[16] Additionally, the evacuees were allowed to return to their homes, and communications between the various islands were restored. The Red Cross distributed various relief supplies to the affected citizens, including candles, matches, water, and blankets.[17] By about two weeks after the storm, about 30,000 household relief packages were distributed.[8] The Vanuatu government allocated VT25 million (2004 VUV, $236,000 2004 USD) for the affected citizens.[18] Overall, the cyclone severely affected the daily lives of the Vanuatu citizens. On Tanna island, the cyclone's passage produced a malaria outbreak.[8]
In the immediate aftermath, the New Zealand Red Cross provided $10,000 (2004
Due to the severity of damage wrought by the cyclone, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Ivy following its usage and replaced it with Irene. Ivy was retired along with earlier Cyclone Heta; the two were the only named storms to form within the basin that season.[4][21]
See also
- List of retired South Pacific tropical cyclone names
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l R. McInerney; et al. (2006). "The South Pacific and southeast Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season 2001-02" (PDF). Australian Meteorology Magazine. 55 (4). Queensland Regional Office, Bureau of Meteorology, Australia: 313–323. Retrieved 2011-03-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gary Padgett (2004). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary: February 2004". Retrieved 2011-03-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2004). "Tropical Cyclone Ivy: JTWC Advisories". Retrieved 2011-03-21.
- ^ a b c d RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre (August 29, 2007). "Tropical Cyclone Season Summary 2003–04" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-27. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^ a b c d "2004 Tropical Cyclone Ivy (2004052S15172)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Asia-Pacific Centre for Emergency; Development Information (2004-02-26). "APCEDI Cyclone Ivy Alert No. 14". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ^ a b Asia-Pacific Centre for Emergency; Development Information (2004-02-27). "APCEDI Cyclone Ivy Alert No. 18". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ^ a b c d e f g United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2004-03-11). "Vanuatu – Tropical Cyclone Ivy OCHA Situation Report No. 4". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ Staff Writer (2004-02-26). "Cyclone Ivy batters Vanuatu, thousands evacuated from capital". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ^ a b Asia-Pacific Centre for Emergency; Development Information (2004-02-26). "APCEDI Cyclone Ivy Alert No. 15". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ^ Government of New Zealand (2004-02-27). "Cyclone Ivy: Status report as at 4.30pm Fri 27 Feb 2004". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ^ a b c d International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (2004-02-27). "Vanuatu: Cyclone Ivy Information Bulletin No. 2". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ^ a b c d Emily McKenzie; Biman Prasad; Atu Kaloumaira (May 2005). "Economic Impact of Natural Disasters on Development in the Pacific" (PDF). University of the South Pacific. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ Joel Ford (2008-01-21). "Wet and wild as cyclone heads on over". Bay of Plenty Times. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ Rachael Medwin (May 2008). "Cyclone Ivy – magnitude of storm surge recorded" (PDF). Environment Bay of Plenty. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ a b Government of New Zealand (2004-02-29). "Status report as at 8.30pm Sat 28 Feb 2004". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ^ International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (2004-03-01). "Vanuatu: Cyclone Ivy Information Bulletin No. 3". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2004-03-04). "Vanuatu – Tropical Cyclone Ivy OCHA Situation Report No. 3". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ Australian Agency for International Development (2004-03-01). "Cyclone Ivy". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ Government of New Zealand (2004-03-01). "FRANZ assists with cyclone relief". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee (2023). Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South-East Indian Ocean and the Southern Pacific Ocean 2023 (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved October 23, 2023.