Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | February 9, 1987 |
Dissipated | February 22, 1987 |
Severe tropical storm | |
10-minute sustained (MFR) | |
Highest winds | 110 km/h (70 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 970 hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 10 confirmed |
Damage | $2 million (1987 USD) |
Areas affected | Réunion, Mauritius |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1986–87 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season |
Tropical Storm Clotilda was a destructive tropical cyclone that inundated Réunion in February 1987. A tropical disturbance first formed between Madagascar and Réunion on February 9 and slowly intensified thereafter. While meandering, the storm fluctuated in intensity before it reached its peak intensity on February 13, with winds of 110 km/h (70 mph). After passing near Réunion, it began to weaken. On February 16, however, Clotilda began to regain strength, and reached its secondary peak on February 17. Two days later, Clotilda became an extratropical cyclone. By February 22, Clotilda was no long being tracked by meteorologists. While active, it brought torrential rains to the island of Réunion during a span of 72 hours. A total of 1,855 mm (73.0 in) of rain was recorded in La Plaine-des-Palmistes; rainfall totals occasionally exceeded the totals measured during Cyclone Hyacinthe, the last major storm to affect Réunion. However, the peak total measured in Hyacinthe was lower than the total measured during Clotilda. Furthermore, about 250 homes were damaged and roughly 120 homes were destroyed. Eighty-nine trees were also brought down during the storm. Throughout the island, damage totaled $2 million (1987 USD) and 10 people were killed. In addition to the destruction on Réunion, 5% of crops on Mauritius were impacted by the storm. During the aftermath of the cyclone, 1,000 people on Réunion were evacuated to shelters.