 Cyclone Honorinina nearing Madagascar | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 9 March 1986 |
| Extratropical | 18 March 1986 |
| Dissipated | 23 March 1986 |
| Tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (MFR) | |
| Highest winds | 150 km/h (95 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 941 hPa (mbar); 27.79 inHg |
| Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 99 total |
| Damage | $150 million (1987 USD) |
| Areas affected | St. Brandon, Tromelin Island, Madagascar |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1985–86 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Tropical Cyclone Honorinina was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck eastern Madagascar in March 1986. The eighth named storm of the season, Honorinina formed on 9 March to the south of Diego Garcia. It moved generally to the west-southwest due to a ridge to the south, gradually intensifying. On 12 March, the Météo France office in Réunion (MFR) upgraded Honorinina to tropical cyclone status, which is the equivalent of a minimal hurricane. On the next day, the cyclone attained maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (93 mph) while in the vicinity of Tromelin Island. Honorinina weakened subsequently before making landfall about 40 km (25 mi) north of Toamasina, Madagascar with winds of 135 km/h (84 mph). The storm weakened further over land, moving southwestward across the country. It emerged into the Mozambique Channel and became extratropical on 18 March. Honorinina then turned to the southeast, dissipating on 23 March.
Early in its duration, the storm produced gusty winds along St. Brandon, and it later brought gusts of 158 km/h (98 mph) on Tromelin Island. However, effects were worst in Madagascar, especially in Toamasina near where the storm made landfall. Damage spread along 800 km (500 mi) of the coastline and spread 100 km (62 mi) inland from the landfall point, with many towns severely affected. In Toamasina, the cyclone damaged the main port, the airport, and several warehouses, resulting in $17 million (1986 USD) of lost inventory. Thousands of houses were damaged, leaving 83,885 people homeless; a housing program earlier set up after Cyclone Kamisy in 1984 was extended to help storm victims after Honorinina. Nationwide, the cyclone killed 99 people and caused $150 million (1986 USD) in damage.