Cyclone Funa
Encyclopedia
Severe Tropical Cyclone Funa (RSMC Nadi designation:10F, JTWC designation:12P) was the tenth Tropical Disturbance, ninth Tropical Depression, third Tropical Cyclone
as well as the second Severe Tropical Cyclone of the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season
to form to the west of longitude
160°E. Funa was also the strongest cyclone of 2008 within the South Pacific.
(RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji
, reported that a weak tropical disturbance had formed embedded in a monsoon trough about 485 km (300 mi), to the west of Espiritu Santo
, Vanautu.
On January 19, a cruise ship, the Pacific Star, encountered 7 metre (22.9 ft) waves produced by Funa. Numerous windows were broken on the ship as it was tossed around by the waves. Water poured into passengers rooms through broken windows, causing panic throughout the ship. Five people were injured, one of whom sustained a broken rib after falling out of bed when a wave hit the ship. The bar area of the ship was reportedly significantly damaged and dishes and glasses were shattered in the kitchen.
The remnants of Funa produced high winds in the North Island of New Zealand which knocked down numerous trees, cutting power to 16,000 residents on the island. Downed power lines sparked several fires. Waves up to 5 m (16.4 ft) impacted coastal regions of New Zealand, forcing boaters to remain in port. Upwards of 300 mm (11.8 in) of rain fell across parts of New Zealand and gale-force winds fanned brushfires.
After the season had ended, it was announced that Cyclone Funa had been retired from RSMC Nadi's list of tropical cyclone names, and would be replaced by Fotu.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
as well as the second Severe Tropical Cyclone of the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season
2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season
The 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the least active tropical cyclone seasons on record, with only four tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 2007 until April 30, 2008, although the first cyclone,...
to form to the west of longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
160°E. Funa was also the strongest cyclone of 2008 within the South Pacific.
Meteorological history
Late on January 14, 2008, the Regional Specialized Meteorological CentreRegional Specialized Meteorological Centre
A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch.-Tropical...
(RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji
Fiji Meteorological Service
The Fiji Meteorological Service is a Department of the government of Fiji responsible for providing weather forecasts and is based in Nadi. Since 1995, FMS has been responsible for naming and tracking tropical cyclones in the Southwest Pacific region...
, reported that a weak tropical disturbance had formed embedded in a monsoon trough about 485 km (300 mi), to the west of Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
, Vanautu.
Preparations and impact
Severe damage occurred over the groups of islands in the Torba, Sanma and Penama provinces of Vanuatu, particularly on dwellings (made of local material), trees and crops. Over the Banks group, coastal villages were reported to have been inundated by sea flooding, while in Maewo, there was evidence of sea flooding. On Motalava and Rah islands, as well as Gaua in Santa Maria island, bungalows, resorts and restaurants along the coast were either washed away or inundated by sea flooding, according to their provincial council reports. Most schools in the Torba and Penama provinces sustained major damages to classrooms and other semi-permanent structures, while other buildings had their roofs ripped off. There were no reports of any fatalities but minor casualties were confirmed. No damage report on Espiritu Santo has been received, to date.On January 19, a cruise ship, the Pacific Star, encountered 7 metre (22.9 ft) waves produced by Funa. Numerous windows were broken on the ship as it was tossed around by the waves. Water poured into passengers rooms through broken windows, causing panic throughout the ship. Five people were injured, one of whom sustained a broken rib after falling out of bed when a wave hit the ship. The bar area of the ship was reportedly significantly damaged and dishes and glasses were shattered in the kitchen.
The remnants of Funa produced high winds in the North Island of New Zealand which knocked down numerous trees, cutting power to 16,000 residents on the island. Downed power lines sparked several fires. Waves up to 5 m (16.4 ft) impacted coastal regions of New Zealand, forcing boaters to remain in port. Upwards of 300 mm (11.8 in) of rain fell across parts of New Zealand and gale-force winds fanned brushfires.
After the season had ended, it was announced that Cyclone Funa had been retired from RSMC Nadi's list of tropical cyclone names, and would be replaced by Fotu.
See also
- List of Southern Hemisphere cyclone seasons
- 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season2007–08 South Pacific cyclone seasonThe 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the least active tropical cyclone seasons on record, with only four tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 2007 until April 30, 2008, although the first cyclone,...
- Cyclone GubaCyclone GubaCyclone Guba was a tropical cyclone that resulted in 149 fatalities and severe damage across southeastern Papua New Guinea...
- Timeline of the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone seasonTimeline of the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone seasonThe 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season was a below-average season with only four tropical cyclones, forming within the South Pacific to the east of 160°E.An average season has nine tropical cyclones, about half of which become severe tropical cyclones...