Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | January 9, 2003 |
Dissipated | January 15, 2003 |
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | |
10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
Highest winds | 150 km/h (90 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 950 hPa (mbar); 28.05 inHg |
Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 944 hPa (mbar); 27.88 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 14 |
Damage | $51.2 million (2003 USD) |
Areas affected | Fiji, Tuvalu, Tonga |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2002–03 South Pacific cyclone season |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ami was one of the worst cyclones to affect Fiji. The system was the third cyclone and the second severe tropical cyclone of the 2002–03 South Pacific cyclone season. Cyclone Ami developed from a low-pressure area east of Tuvalu on January 12. Originally, the storm moved slowly towards the southwest early in its existence. Influenced by an upper-level trough, Ami slowed and began moving towards the south and then southeast. The cyclone attained severe tropical cyclone intensity on January 13. Ami made its first landfall at Vanua Levu, before subsequently making another landfall on Taveuni. Still intensifying, Ami reached peak intensity as a Category 3 cyclone on the Australian and Fiji cyclone scales on January 14. Accelerating to the southeast, the cyclone began to cross over cool sea surface temperatures and encountered wind shear. Ami transitioned into an extratropical cyclone the day after.
Cyclone Ami severely impacted areas of Fiji, primarily causing flooding. Numerous landslides and power outages resulted from the heavy rains. Damage was particularly severe in Labasa, Fiji, where floodwater inundated the entire city. Damage sustained to crops was also severe, especially the sugar cane, where production decreased by 15% due to Ami. In Tonga, damage was not as severe. However, two ships offshore were grounded due to the cyclone. Ami caused F$104.4 million (US$51.2 million)[nb 1] in damages and 17 deaths, primarily on Fiji. Following the deaths and damage, the name "Ami" was later retired.
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