| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Aus scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
 Cyclone Mick at peak intensity near Fiji | |
| Formed | December 3, 2009 |
| Dissipated | December 15, 2009 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 110 km/h (70 mph) 1-minute sustained: 130 km/h (80 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 975 hPa (mbar); 28.79 inHg |
| Fatalities | 4 direct, 2 missing |
| Damage | $20 million (2009 USD) |
| Areas affected | Fiji, Tonga |
| Part of the 2009-10 South Pacific cyclone season | |
Tropical Cyclone Mick (RSMC Nadi designation:01F, JTWC Designation:04P) was the first tropical disturbance to grace the waters of the South Pacific Ocean during the 2009-10 South Pacific cyclone season. The tropical disturbance that was to become Tropical Cyclone Mick developed out of a weak area of low pressure to the northeast of Fiji on December 3, 2009. Over the next few days the disturbance gradually developed before it intensified into a tropical depression late on December 11. During the next day the system intensified further and was declared as Tropical Cyclone Mick late on December 12. During the next day Tropical Cyclone Mick, accelerated towards the southeast whilst gradually intensifying further. During December 14, as Mick approached the Fijian island of Viti Levu, the cyclone peaked with peak 10 minute windspeeds of 110 km/h, (65 mph) and 1 minute winds of 130 km/h, (80 mph). Later that day, Mick made landfall on Viti Levu to the northeast of Nadi. As a result of the land interaction, Tropical Cyclone Mick rapidly weakened and became an extratropical depression early the next day.
Meteorological history edit
During December 3, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) started to monitor Tropical Disturbance 01F, that had developed near 8ºS 178ºE or about 100 km (60 mi) to the southwest of the Tuvaluan Island of Vaitupu.[1] There had been no signs of any improvement in atmospheric convection organizing around the clouds during the previous 24 hours, however, it was located within an area of decreasing vertical wind shear.[1] The system subsequently became slightly organised with a well defined low-mid level cyclonic circulation, as atmospheric convection increased near the system.[2] The disturbance was subsquently relocated later that day to 10ºS 170ºE, which was about 875 km (545 mi) to the northeast of Port Vila in Vanuatu.[3] Over the next few days, this disturbance moved gradually westwards and developed further, before it was classified as a tropical depresion during December 11.[4]
Preparations edit
Ahead of the storms' arrivial, officials in Fiji issued evacuation orders for all residents of Bua Province.[6] Police officers and emergency officials were deployed to several flood-prone villages to urge residents to evacuate to higher ground.[7] On December 13, all non-essential governmental staff were released.[8]
Impact edit
Heavy rainfall, associated with the outer bands of Cyclone Mick, triggered flash flooding ahead of the system's landfall. In the northern division of Fiji, several roads were closed early on December 14 due to flooding, isolating the villages of Namau and Wairiki.[6] The small village of Viwa sustained substantial agricultural losses, with nearly all of their food crops being destroyed by the storm.[9] At least two fatalities in Fiji were caused as a result of Mick.[10] The first fatality from Mick took place at the height of the cyclone's passage. In Viti Levu, a boy was crushed by a fallen tree limb downed by high winds.[11] The second fatality took place when a man was swept away by a swift current on a flooded road.[10] Two other people were reported as missing after being swept away by flood waters in Nasivikoso.[11]
Aftermath edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Tropical Disturbance Summary December 3, 2009 21z". Fiji Meteorological Service. December 3, 2009. Archived from the original on November 24, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
- ^ "Tropical Disturbance Summary December 5, 2009 00z". Fiji Meteorological Service. December 5, 2009. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- ^ "Tropical Disturbance Summary December 4, 2009 21z". Fiji Meteorological Service. December 5, 2009. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- ^ Climate Services Division (January 12, 2010). Fiji Islands Climate Summary: December 2009 (Report). Vol. 30. Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 9, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2010/2010s-bsh/bsh042010.txt
- ^ a b Serafina Silaitoga (December 14, 2009). "Flash floods in the north ahead of Cyclone Mick". FijiTimes. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ Serafina Silaitoga (December 14, 2009). "Bua villagers move". FijiTimes. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ Linda Haywood (December 14, 2009). "Cyclone Mick: Eye of the Storm Passing Over Fiji". The Global Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ Staff Writer (December 14, 2009). "Viwa villagers assess damage". FijiVillage. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ a b NZPA (December 15, 2009). "Cyclone Mick leaves two dead in Fiji". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (December 15, 2009). "Cyclone claims a life while two missing". Radio Fiji. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
External links edit
