Photo credit: NASA
A powerful Category 4 cyclone, the equivalent of an Atlantic hurricane experienced in the Pacific Ocean, has moved through the South Pacific over the French Polynesian Islands. Tahiti, the most populous of the islands, is under the outer edge of the storm in the photo, captured by NASA on its Aqua satellite. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Oli had winds of 213 kilometers per hour (132 miles per hour or 115 knots) at 1:40 p.m., local time, Thursday, February 4th, when this image was acquired.
According to BBC News, at least 3,400 people were evacuated from Tahiti and nearby islands as Oli approached. The storm’s strong winds damaged homes and power lines. One person died on the southern island of Tubuai after being washed out to sea by a wav
e and several others were injured in the storm.
(Photos below - PicApp.com - French Polynesia - before Cyclone Oli)
A statement from the French regional commissariat said that more than 650 tourists were given refuge in secure hotels and a spokesperson for the Tahiti tourist board said they were "safe." Another official said tourists were being looked after, adding: “Hotels and pensions are taking good care of them, and are doing their best to reassure them and provide them with the best service possible given the circumstances.”
The Hilton French Polynesia - with properties in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora - reported that their guests were fine and that there was no major damage. The Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti said that all were “safe and sound” now that Oli had passed. A dozen people were reported to be injured in Bora Bora, including one seriously after falling from a roof.
Air Tahiti Nui flights from Los Angeles to Papeete were operating as normal as of February 4th, according to a message on its website. For up to date flight information, check its flight status section http://www.airtahitinui-usa.com/flightsched/flightstatus.asp Air Tahiti is one of only a few airlines flying directly to Tahiti from the U.S.
Some hotels, especially in Bora Bora, sustained some storm damages according to the Air Tahiti message to passengers. It further said, “In addition, the domestic flight schedule for Air Tahiti may be disrupted and limited. Transportation within the Islands may not be operating as normal and delays may be encountered. We recommend that you contact your travel agent or the hotel directly for more information. We apologize for these delays. If you have any questions, please contact our reservations office at 1-877-824-4846."
This is the wet season (Polynesian Summer) in French Polynesia, between the months of November to
April, and is considered the "off season" for tourism. During these months, approximately three-fourths of its annual rainfall of French Polynesia is received.
French Polynesia covers an area of the South Pacific Ocean about the size of Europe. It is made up of over 100 islands in five archipelagos: the Society Islands, the Marquesas, Tuamotus, Gambiers and Australs, as well as Clipperton atoll, a small French possession off Mexico.
To watch a video report from Australia Network News - go to this link and click on VIDEO:
Caroline Lafargue reports from Papeete on the damage so far from Cyclone Oli
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Comments
So sad to hear. As a sailor, nothing scares me quite so much as a hurricane. Glad to hear there was minimal damage.
I hadn't hear this on the news. Thanks for the info!
Great NASA photo of the eye of a hurricane.
Good to hear that there is a little stability over there now!
Did not know about this. Sad that I get my news from Examiner and Twitter.
Cyclone? Gosh hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and now cyclones.... makes my head spin!
Cyclone Oli? Wow. Glad to hear tourists are safe and flights will resume.
Thanks Debbra, once again, for covering a story the rest of American media seems to be ignoring. Great work as always.
Good to hear its gone now.
Glad the residents and tourists were able to avoid another weather - related crisis..nice, thorough article, Debbra.
Cheers...
I spent many weeks anchored in Bora Bora lagoon, one of the loveliest places on earth. On a second season, the anchoring spots were all quite different from a hurricane that season which rearranged the bottom of the lagoon.
Pauline,
I am envious of your sailing adventures and being able to spend "many weeks" anchored in Bora Bora! French Polynesia is highest on my list of places I'd love to see...
I'm SO glad to hear Cyclone Oli didn't cause major devastation to this B-U-T-full area. Mother Nature is sometimes such a... Beast!
It seems like the whole world is in disarray right now thanks to Mother Nature. I wonder if her and Mother Earth had a falling out?
I was in Moorea during the Cyclone and was really frustrating that there was no one covering the news. Thanks for this article. It's nice to get some information about the event even though it is now after the fact.
Glad to hear that the casualties and damage were limited considering the scope of the storm.
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