 Cyclone Erica near its peak intensity on March 13, northwest of New Caledonia | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 March 2003 |
| Extratropical | 15 March |
| Dissipated | 17 March 2003 |
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 915 hPa (mbar); 27.02 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 total |
| Damage | $15 million (2003 USD) |
| Areas affected | Queensland, Southeast Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2002–03 Australian region and South Pacific cyclone seasons | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Erica of March 2003 was a powerful cyclone that severely affected New Caledonia and was considered the worst to affect it since Cyclone Beti. The system was the eighth cyclone and the fifth severe tropical cyclone of the 2002–03 South Pacific cyclone season. Cyclone Erica developed from a monsoonal trough on 4 March just off Queensland. Originally, the storm moved slowly towards the east and then north early in its existence. However, increasing wind shear caused the storm to be degenerated into a tropical low. After conditions once again became more favorable for development, the remnants regenerated into a tropical cyclone on 10 March. Steadily intensifying, Erica reached peak intensity on 13 March as a Category 5 equivalent on the Australian intensity scale.
On the same day Erica paralleled the coast of New Caledonia before making landfall on the southern end of the island at L'Île-des-Pins. However, at the same time the cyclone also entered an area with strong wind shear and thus began to weaken. After passing the island, an extratropical transition begun, weakening the cyclone as it moved towards the southeast. On 15 March, Erica completed its transition into an extratropical cyclone and later fully dissipated two days later.
Cyclone Erica severely impacted the island nation of New Caledonia, causing intense winds and heavy rain. An estimated 892 families were affected by the cyclone on the island, and two people were killed. As many as 60% of people on the west coast lost power. On 17 March only 17 of the 66 secondary schools on the island were functioning. After the storm it was feared that the existing dengue fever epidemic on the island would spread. Erica caused $15 million (2003 USD) in damages, primarily on New Caledonia. Following the deaths and damage, the name "Erica" was later retired.