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Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Harold at peak intensity shortly after crossing over Pentecost Island in Vanuatu
FormedApril 1, 2020 (April 1, 2020)
DissipatedCurrently active
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 220 km/h (140 mph)
1-minute sustained: 270 km/h (165 mph)
Lowest pressure924 hPa (mbar); 27.29 inHg
Fatalities≥27 total
DamageSignificant
Areas affectedSolomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga
Part of the 2019–20 Australian region and the South Pacific cyclone seasons.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold is a currently active and strong tropical cyclone impacting Fiji. Harold is the first Category 5 severe tropical cyclone to occur in the South Pacific basin since Cyclone Gita in 2018 and is also the second-strongest tropical cyclone to ever affect Vanuatu, behind Cyclone Pam in 2015. The seventh named storm of the 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season, and the eighth named storm, fourth severe tropical cyclone, and the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2019–20 South Pacific cyclone season, Harold is the most intense tropical cyclone thus far worldwide in 2020.

On April 1, a tropical low formed centered between the Solomon Islands and the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea. The tropical low organised rapidly as it tracked towards the east-southeast over the Solomon Sea, developing tightly curved convective banding. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) later upgraded the tropical low into a Category 1 tropical cyclone and named it Harold. The system moved into the Fiji Meteorological Service's area of responsibility on April 2 and began to explosively intensify by April 3, reaching Category 4 status by April 4 on both scales. The next day, it further strengthened into a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone, the highest rating on the Australian scale. It made landfall on Espiritu Santo on April 6. Shortly afterwards, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) upgraded it to a Category 5-equivalent cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale. It maintained this status for only six hours before being downgraded back to Category 4.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key Saffir–Simpson scale   Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown Storm type circle Tropical cyclone square Subtropical cyclone triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On April 1, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reported that Tropical Low 12U had developed, along a trough of low pressure to the east of Papua New Guinea. At this time, the low had a broad low-level circulation center, scattered atmospheric convection and was located within a favourable environment for further development, with a developing dual-channel outflow, low vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures of 30 °C (86 °F). During that day, the low was moved south-eastwards towards the Solomon Islands by an upper-level low, before it rapidly developed during the following day, with deep atmospheric convection wrapping into the systems centre. As a result, the BOM reported that the system had become a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale and named it Harold. During that day, the newly named system continued to be moved south-eastwards and passed about 135 km (85 mi) to the south-east of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also intiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone Harold during that day and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 25P. The system subsequently crossed 160°E and moved out of the Australian region and into the South Pacific basin, which prompted the BoM to pass the primary warning responsibility for Harold to the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS).

During April 3, the system started to intensify, rapidly consolidating and developing an eye on microwave imagery, while moving away from the Solomon Islands. As a result, it was classified as a category 3 severe tropical cyclone by the FMS at 00:00 UTC on April 4, after the system had developed a pinhole eye. At this time, Harold was located about 360 km (225 mi) to the northwest of Luganville in Vanuatu and its south-eastwards movement had slowed significantly, as a result of an extension of a subtropical ridge to the storm's east. Later that day, the FMS reported that Harold had become a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, while the system's pinhole started to become cloud filled and subsumed into a large mass of atmospheric convection. As a result, the JTWC reported that Harold had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 215 km/h (130 mph), which made it equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. At the same time, the FMS expected Harold to intensify further and become a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.

On April 5, the JTWC reported that the system had started to weaken, as a result of the warming of the cyclone's cloud tops and the eye's ragged structure. However, this weakening phase was short-lived as the system regained a 30 km (20 mi) eye and a symmetric central dense overcast, after the upper-level outflow had remained strong. The FMS subsequently reported that Harold had become a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph). At this time, the system was located about 170 km (105 mi) to the west of Luganville and was starting to move polewards as a subtropical ridge of high pressure started to steer the cyclone. Harold subsquently made landfall on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone later that day, after which it passed near or over several islands including Aore, Tutuba, Malo and Pentecost. During April 6, as the system started to move away from Vanuatu towards Fiji, the JTWC reported that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 270 km/h (165 mph), which made it equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane on the SSHWS. At around the same time the FMS reported that the system had peaked with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 220 km/h (140 mph) and a minimum pressure of 924 hPa (27.29 inHg).

Preparations and impact

Solomon Islands

Harold's approach triggered bulletins for the Solomon Islands from the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services on April 2. The agency advised residents in storm-prone regions, such as those near rivers and the coasts, to evacuate to higher ground. The agency also noted the possibility for landslides and rough seas. A cyclone warning was placed in effect for all of the islands on April 3. The Royal Solomon Island Police Force recommended elevated caution for commuters and mariners. Falling trees and branches in Honiara resulted in widespread power outages. The National Referral Hospital in Honiara was among the buildings affected by blackouts. Some fallen trees damaged buildings and blocked roads. Heavy rainfall flooded the Kukum Highway in Honiara. A stream swollen from the rains washed out a 3 m (9.8 ft) segment of a bridge connecting parts of northwestern Guadalcanal to Honiara. Dozens of families were forced out of their homes on Guadalcanal. Flooding and fallen trees inflicted damage to buildings in Rennell and Bellona Province as well.

On the night of April 2, the ferry MV Taimareho encountered rough seas and gusts of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) generated by Harold in Ironbottom Sound while en route from Taivu to the Aiarai in West Are 'are in Malaita Province. The ship had been sent to repatriate Malaita residents from Honiara as a precautionary measure during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, though warnings were in effect advising ships to remain in port. Twenty-seven of the 738 passengers were knocked overboard by the waves and are presumed dead; Taimareho later took refuge in Su'u Harbor in Malaita Province. Planes and ships were dispatched to search for survivors across an area larger than 1,000 km (390 sq mi). Rescue efforts were initially hampered by the inclement conditions; one rescue helicopter could not fly as its second pilot was quarantined. Two bodies were found off the southern coat of Malaita Province, localizing the search region; As of April 6, 2020, six bodies have been recovered. At least two ships were washed ashore by the storm. Heavy rains from Harold washed out much of the plains in Guadalcanal, reducing the area's food security. The government of Australia donated US$60,000 in relief funds to the Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu

Satellite image of Harold exhibiting an eye and rainbands
Harold nearing its first landfall on Espiritu Santo on April 4

On April 3, the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (VNDMO) issued a yellow alert—indicating the threat of a tropical cyclone within 12 hours—for Torba and Sanma provinces in Vanuatu. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department also issued a tropical cyclone warning for these areas. The yellow alert was upgraded to a red alert—the highest-level warning for Vanuatu—on April 4 following the upgrading of Harold to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, while yellow alerts were also issued for Malampa and Penama provinces. Red alerts eventually encompassed Malampa, Penama, Sanma, and Torba provinces, with a yellow alert for Shefa Province. The VNDMO advised for all residents under the red alert to remain indoors. COVID-19 preparedness activities were suspended to facilitate preparations and evacuations for Harold. Travel and social distancing restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted for those seeking safe houses and evacuation shelters.

Hundreds of people evacuated to shelters in Espiritu Santo; disrupted communications in rural areas made estimates difficult, though an official with the Vanuatu Red Cross Society estimated as many as 1,000 people were housed in evacuation centres. On April 5, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) granted 50,000 CHF from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to the Vanuatu Red Cross Society to help better position staff and aid resources prior to the storm's arrival, mobilizing over a thousand volunteers. Preparing for the storm in Luganville, hundreds of people were sent into evacuation centres before the storm. The Torba provincial headquarters in Sola served as a shelter for families. Development organisation Oxfam Australia coordinated with Vanuatuan agencies to develop a response plan for Harold. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also devised a support package for both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Harold was the first Category 5 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian scale to strike Vanuatu since Cyclone Pam in 2015, bringing gusts above 275 km/h (170 mph) and 250–450 mm (10–18 in) of rain. Communications were lost in most of the affected areas, particularly in Vanuatu's northern provinces. Telecommunications company Vodafone reported loss of contact with the Banks Islands, Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Pentecost Island. Beginning prior to landfall, the cyclone's slow movement west of Vanuatu drew in copious moisture, resulting in heavy rainfall. Flash flooding forced people to evacuate their homes for higher ground in Espiritu Santo and damaged roads in Penama. On the island of Malakula, rivers overflowed their banks and inundated gardens. Farther south, Aneityum recorded 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain.

Modelling from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre suggested that storm surge heights peaked at 0.9 m (3.0 ft) in Vanuatu. Damage was extensive in Espiritu Santo where Harold first made landfall. Ships were grounded on the shores of the island by the rough seas. Water shortages and power outages began affecting Luganville, Espiritu Santo's largest city, prior to Harold's landfall. Heavy rainfall also threatened the contamination of Luganville's water supplies and washing out crops and roads, especially in low-lying areas. As the cyclone made landfall and moved through the city on April 6, the winds unroofed homes and downed trees. Some buildings were flattened by the storm. Approximately 50–70 percent of buildings in the city were damaged; about half of homes suffered significant damage. Further torrential rainfall flooded roadways. Luganville's municipal council building was destroyed. Communications with the city were disrupted as the storm swept through, and the city was further isolated from the rest of Espiritu Santo by floods, debris, and landslides. Buildings were also destroyed across the rest of Sanma Province. Initial reports suggested severe damage was inflicted near Harold's point of landfall in the southwestern part of the province. . Media later showed shacks along the coast of Espiritu Santo completely demolished while some more developed homes with their roofs and walls ripped off or collapsed in. More extreme damage was reported in Pentecost, where the storm made its second landfall near peak intensity. Entire villages were reportedly destroyed. Further aerial damage surveys were issued to assess damage on the island. Approximately a third of Vanuatu's population was said to have been impacted by the storm.

Oxfam Australia launched a disaster response team to assess and aid in repairing damage across Vanuatu's Sanma Province just hours after the first impacts from Harold, doubling down on COVID-19 aid as well. Save the Children prepared relief materials on the islands for distribution to affected children. The Vanautu Red Cross Society was joined by Red Cross societies from Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

Fiji

Satellite image of Harold with a visible eye and sprawling rainbands
Harold moving across Kadavu on April 8

The FMS issued heavy rain alerts for the western half of Viti Levu, Kadavu, and the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands on April 6, anticipating the arrival of Harold's rainbands and its centre's eventual passage south of Fiji. Storm warnings were later put in effect for the areas under a heavy rain alert, in addition to the Lomaiviti Islands; the heavy rain alert was expanded to encompass the entirety of the Fijian islands. The highest warning, a hurricane warning, was issued for Kadavu and Ono-i-Lau on April 7. The Fiji National Disaster Management Office (FDNMO) activated their Emergency Operations Centre to streamline preparations and evacuations. Across Fiji, 25 evacuation centres were opened, with 22 in the Western Division and 3 in the Central Division; at least 2,146 people sought shelter in the centres. All village headmen and community leaders were directed to evacuate their people to safety. The Kadavu Provincial Council warned Kadavu residents to seek higher ground. The director of the Fijian Ministry of Fisheries, Mere Lakeba, advised for aquaculture farmers to reduce water usage and boaters to move their vessels to safety. Maritime clearances were indefinitely terminated for all ships by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, apart from evacuating ships. All Land Transport Authority offices were closed. Non-essential civil servants were directed to stay home. On April 7, Fiji Airways moved some of its larger aircraft to New Zealand to avoid storm damage. Another Fiji Airways flight carrying evacuees departed for the United States.

Early on April 7, villagers in the Malolo and Yasawa groups began to feel some early effects from the storm, including gusty winds, moderate coastal flooding, and storm surge. The Turaga-ni-Koro (village chief) advised all villagers on Malolo to stay inside and remain alert at all times throughout the day. Heavy rainfall flooded several communities across Fiji; flash flood warnings covered all low-lying areas and watersheds throughout the country. Parts of Ba and two villages were flooded. Police checkpoints were established to restrict travel to Ba due to widespread floods along the Ba River and nearby creeks. Nearly a hundred homes in Qauia, Lami, were affected by flooding. Roads were blocked by fallen trees, floodwaters, and landslides. On Viti Levu, the Nasivi River overflowed its banks, submerging a highway and a bridge. Sections of Queens and Kings highways were were closed due to obstructions. Nine houses were razed in Tailevu Province, injuring several people. In Nadi, winds reached 95 km/h (60 mph) and electricity was cut. Power outages stemming from downed power poles and lines affected much of Fiji's Central and Western divisions. Houses in Sigatoka were damaged by strong winds and most parts of the city were left without power. A tornado struck Nausori on the morning of April 8, unroofing homes, uprooting trees, and felling power poles; fifteen houses were badly damaged. Seven houses and a school were unroofed by another tornado in Nakasi. Low-lying areas of Suva were inundated along the coastal waterfront. Heavy rain and strong winds extended into the Northern Division, downing trees and signage.

Tonga

The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Tonga was activated on April 7 due to Harold's forecast track into Tongan waters within two days.

See also

References

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External links

Category 5 South Pacific severe tropical cyclones
Pre-2000s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Other systems
Tropical cyclones of the 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season
1Blake 3Claudia TL04U 3Damien TLUesi TL08F 1Esther 4Ferdinand TL09U 1Gretel TL11U 1Harold TL13U TLJeruto TD16U 1Mangga
Tropical cyclones of the 2019–20 South Pacific cyclone season
2Rita DI02F 2Sarai 3Tino DI05F 3Uesi DI07F DI08F 1Vicky 2Wasi 2Gretel 5Harold
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