Cyclone Heta

Cyclone Heta

Category 5 cyclone (SSHS)
Cyclone Heta at peak intensity.
Formed	December 28, 2003
Dissipated	January 8, 2004
Highest winds	160 mph (265 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure	915 mbar (hPa)
Damage	$150+ million (2004 USD)[1]
Fatalities	2 direct
Areas affected	Samoa,Tonga, Niue, American Samoa
Part of the 2003-04 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season

Cyclone Heta was a powerful category 5 tropical cyclone that did catastrophic damage across the islands of Tonga, Niue and American Samoa. The first tropical cyclone to form in the RSMC Nadi area of responsibility during the 2003-04 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season for the South Pacific Ocean, Heta reached a maximum intensity of 160 mph and an estimated pressure of 915 millibars before turning southward and dissipating on January 8.

Heta caused extreme damage across Samoa, Tonga, Niue and American Samoa. The damage from Heta was at $150 million dollars (2004 USD), mostly in the American Samoa and two fatalities. The damage from Heta caused a huge relief and clean up operations that lasted though out the entire year of 2004.

Storm history

A tropical wave that will become Heta, formed between Rotuma and Fiji on December 25, 2003. The wave moved eastward north of Fiji where it became Tropical Depression 3-F on December 28. The depression continued its northward and then eastward track until January 2, 2004 where it reached tropical storm strength and was named Heta. After reaching that strength, Heta underwent rapid intensification as a result of low wind shear and high sea surface temperatures.^{[2] [3]} Aided by a weak steering current, Heta slowly moved southeastward where the storm reached category 1 status on January 3. The center of Heta passed 70 miles west of Samoa as the storm reached category 2 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.^[2]

Heta then reached a peak intensity of 160 mph (235 km/h) and maintained that intensity for 24 hours as the storm continued its south-southeastward track. By that time the center of Heta was centered 50 miles northeast of Tonga and very close to the island of Niue. By January 7, Cyclone Heta exited the RMSC Nadi's area of responsibility and was soon monitored by the New Zealand TCWC center. The storm then slowly weakened as it encountered cooler waters of the far South Pacific. Heta than became extratropical 525 south of Rarotonga later on the 7th. The extratropical remnants of Heta then became stationary and moved westward where it finally dissipated on January 11 east of Norfolk Island. ^{[2] [3]}

Preparations

High resolution image of Cyclone Heta on January 5, 2004.

The AFAP forecasters issued advisories for Tokelau and forecasted the storm to make a turn south and bypass Samoa to the west. The following day the watch area was extended to include Samoa and then Niue and Tonga. At that the time, the AFAP forecasted the storm to hit Niue as a category 2 or 3 tropical cyclone in 12-24 hours. ^{[4] [5]} On January 6, when Heta reached category 5 status, the AFAP forecasted the storm to hit Tonga and its surrounding islands the following day and bring strong wind and rain damage. In Niue, anticipating that the storm will bring catastrophic damage, 1300 residents sought shelter in their homes while others evacuated coastal areas to higher ground. In Samoa and American Samoa, although hurricane warnings were in effect, there were no reports of evacuations or storm shelters being opened before the storm. ^[6][7]

Impact

Cyclone Heta caused over $150+ million dollars (2004 USD) in damage and two fatalities in its path across Tonga, Niue, Samoa and American Samoa.

South Pacific Islands

In its formation, Heta brought heavy rains and light winds but caused little or no damage. In Wallis and Futuna, high winds knocked out power and there was minor to moderate damage to buildings and crops. In Tonga, Heta's strong winds damaged houses and caused severe crop damage, mostly to breadfruit, mango, tava and bananas. In Tafahi and Niuatoputapu, 50-100% of the homes and buildings were destroyed by the cyclones category 5winds. However, because of advanced warnings, there were no deaths or injuries. Structural damage in Tonga amounted to $160,000 dollars (2004 USD) ^{[8][6][9][10][11]}

In Niue, a weather station recorded a barometric pressure of 945 millibars before it became inoperable. In the capital city of Alofi which took the brunt of the storm was devastated as most of the commercial and financial areas were wiped out by the high winds. Damage to communications and electronic infrastructure was also great as the storm damaged a satellite dish and disabled 75% of Niues computer database. The storm surge brought by Heta left two people dead. In all the storm left $50 million dollars (2004 NZD) in Niue. ^[3][12]

Wind damage in the American Samoa.

In Apia, Samoa, the heavy rains brought by Heta caused isolated reports of flooding. Heta's storm surge also closed down or washed out several roads. In Savai'i, the cyclones winds damaged powerlines which made communications with the city difficult. ^[13] In the American Samoa, two weather stations reported winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) with gusts of 115 mph (185 km/h). The high winds destroyed over 600 homes and damaged 4,000 others. Offshore, the storm brought waves up to 44 feet high along the north and western part of the island. The combination of rough surf and storm surge damaged or destroyed many boats near Swains Island. Although no deaths were reported, the storm managed to injure 20 people and leave between $50-150 million dollars (2005 USD) in damage. ^[1]

Aftermath

The government of Niue declared a state of emergency after Cyclone Heta's impact. On January 8, New Zealand and Australia provided relief aid and supplies to the displaced residents. The aid, provided by New Zealands government amounted up to $5 million dollars (2004 NZD). Because of the devastation left by Heta, the government of Niue activated a long recovery plan that lasted through out the entire year of 2004 and cost over $20 million dollars (2004 NZD). ^[14][15][16] In Samoa, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent sent 60 volunteers and distributed 150 tarpaulins and 340 water containers and blankets to the devastated area. On January 9, the number of volunteers increased to 100 and over 944 materials and supplies were distributed. In Tonga, the Red Cross conducted a damage survey and provided relief aid to Niuatoputapu which was hit hard by the cyclone. In addition, New Zealand provided $10,000 dollars (2004 USD) worth of supplies and relief aid to Tonga. ^[17][18][11]

Residents cleaning up after the storm.

In the American Samoa, Governor Aitofele Sunia declared a state of emergency after the cyclone, later President George W. Bush declared the U.S. territory a disaster area. the declaration made the U.S. territory eligible for federal assistance and relief. The damage from the cyclone caused an evacuation of 140 residents to relief shelters, thirteen of the shelters were opened after the storm. ^[19][20][21] In addition, the SBA offered $40,000-$200,000 dollars (2004 USD) in repair loans for residents and $1.5 million dollars (2004 USD) in repair loans for businesses. The federal government offered $22 million dollars (2004 USD) in relief aid although $9.4 million the aid was approved by FEMA and the agency itself provided $12.3 million dollars (2004 USD) in relief aid. The United Church of Christ also provided $5,000 dollars in relief aid. ^{[22][23][24][21]}

See also

• tropical cyclone
• list of notable tropical cyclones

References

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