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Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold was a very powerful tropical cyclone which caused widespread destruction in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Tonga during April 2020. It was the first Category 5 tropical cyclone in 2020. The seventh named storm of the 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season, eighth named storm, and fourth severe tropical cyclone of the 2019–20 South Pacific cyclone season, Harold was first noted as a developing tropical low within a trough of low pressure during April 1, while it was located to the east of Papua New Guinea. Over the next day, the system moved south-eastwards over the Solomon Sea, before it was classified as a tropical cyclone and named Harold by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The system moved into the Fiji Meteorological Service's area of responsibility on April 2 and began to explosively intensify by April 3, reaching Category 4 status by April 4 on both scales. The next day, it further strengthened into a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone, the highest rating on the Australian scale. It made landfall on Espiritu Santo on April 6 and the next day, strengthening to its peak intensity, attaining Category 5-equivalent intensity on the Saffir–Simpson scale before making landfall on Pentecost Island. Moving east, it weakened below Category 5 intensity on both scales over subsequent days. It regained Category 5 severe tropical cyclone status (on the Australian scale only) while passing south of Fiji, before weakening and becoming extratropical on April 9.
Harold was the first Category 5 severe tropical cyclone to occur in the South Pacific basin since Cyclone Gita in 2018 and was also the second-strongest tropical cyclone to ever affect Vanuatu, behind Cyclone Pam in 2015. In total, 27 people died on the MV Taimareho (in the Solomon Islands), two died in Vanuatu, and one died in Fiji. Total damage from the cyclone amounted to $768 million (2020 USD).
As the storm moved away from the Solomon Islands on April 3, it began to rapidly organise and developed a pinhole eye on microwave imagery. As a result, it was classified as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone by the FMS at 00:00 UTC on April 4. At this time, Harold was located about to the northwest of Luganville in Vanuatu, and its southeast movement had slowed significantly as a result of an extension of a subtropical ridge to the storm's east. Later that day, the FMS reported that Harold had become a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone and predicted it to further intensify to Category 5 status, while the system's eye became subsumed into a large mass of atmospheric convection. The JTWC, meanwhile, assessed that Harold had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of , which made it equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS). During April 5, the JTWC reported that the system had begun to weaken, based on the ragged structure of the eye and warming of the cyclone's cloud tops. However, this weakening phase was short-lived as the system regained a eye and a symmetric central dense overcast, while upper-level outflow remained strong. The FMS subsequently reported that Harold had become a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained winds of . At this time, the system was located about to the west of Luganville and began to move polewards as a subtropical ridge to its northeast became the primary steering mechanism.
At around 22:00 UTC on April 5 (10:00 FST, April 6), Harold made landfall on the island of Espiritu Santo in northern Vanuatu, with 10-minute sustained winds of . Harold quickly strengthened upon reemerging over water; early the following day, the FMS reported that Harold had peaked in intensity with 10-minute sustained winds of , while it was located between the islands of Espiritu Santo and Pentecost Island, while the JTWC estimated that its 1-minute sustained winds reached , which made it equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane on the SSHWS. The system subsequently made landfall on Pentecost, before reemerging into the South Pacific Ocean and weakening. The landfall weakened Harold and the storm began to show signs of weakening: its eye became cloud-filled, cloud tops warmed, convection reduced in extent, and dry air started to wrap into the system. As a result, the FMS reported that the system had weakened into a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone during April 7, before Harold's eye and eyewall became visible on their radar in Nadi. The system subsequently passed within of Suva in Fiji, before it passed near or over the Kadavu Group of islands. During April 8, the system intensified slightly before the FMS reported that Harold had become a category 5 severe tropical cyclone again, while it was located about to the north-east of Nuku'alofa on the island of Tongatapu. As the system continued to move south-eastwards, it passed about to the south of Nuku'alofa, as it started to weaken and transition into an extratropical cyclone. During the following day, Harold weakened into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone as it moved into New Zealand's MetService area of responsibility, while strong vertical wind shear caused atmospheric convection to become displaced to the south of its eye. The JTWC subsequently issued its final advisory on Harold, as it was expected to gain Weather front and complete its extratropical transition within 12 hours. MetService subsequently declared Harold to be an extratropical cyclone during April 10, before the system was last noted during the following day around to the southwest of Adamstown in the Pitcairn Islands.
An estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people in the Solomon Islands experienced Harold's wind, rain, and storm surge. The National Emergency Operations Center indicated that 57 houses were destroyed and another 20 were damaged. Seven classrooms were also destroyed. Falling trees and branches in Honiara resulted in widespread power outages. The National Referral Hospital in Honiara was among the buildings affected by blackouts. Some fallen trees damaged buildings and blocked roads. The San Isidoro school for the deaf outside Honiara was severely damaged, losing its roof. Heavy rainfall flooded the Kukum Highway in Honiara. A stream swollen from the rains washed out a segment of a bridge connecting parts of northwestern Guadalcanal to Honiara. Dozens of families were forced out of their homes on Guadalcanal. Flooding and fallen trees inflicted damage to buildings in Rennell and Bellona Province as well.
On the night of April 2, the ferry MV Taimareho encountered rough seas and gusts of up to generated by Harold in Ironbottom Sound while en route from Taivu to the Aiarai in West Are 'are in Malaita Province. The ship had been sent to evacuate Malaita residents from Honiara as a precautionary measure, though warnings were in effect advising ships to remain in port. Twenty-seven of the 738 passengers were knocked overboard by the waves and are presumed dead; Taimareho later took refuge in Su'u Harbor in Malaita Province. Planes and ships were dispatched to search for survivors across an area larger than . Rescue efforts were initially hampered by the inclement conditions; one rescue helicopter could not fly as its second pilot was quarantined. Two bodies were found off the southern coat of Malaita Province, localizing the search region; five further bodies were recovered on 6 April. The Solomon Islands government launched two investigations into the maritime incident, involving a formal inquiry conducted by the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration and a criminal investigation. At least two ships were washed ashore by the storm. Heavy rains from Harold washed out much of the plains in Guadalcanal, reducing the area's food security. The government of Australia donated US$60,000 in relief funds to the Solomon Islands.
Hundreds of people evacuated to shelters in Espiritu Santo; disrupted communications in rural areas made estimates difficult, though an official with the Vanuatu Red Cross Society estimated as many as 1,000 people were housed in evacuation centres. On April 5, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) granted 50,000 Swiss franc from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to the Vanuatu Red Cross Society to help better position staff and aid resources prior to the storm's arrival, mobilizing over a thousand volunteers. Preparing for the storm in Luganville, hundreds of people were sent into evacuation centres before the storm. The Torba provincial headquarters in Sola served as a shelter for families. Development organisation Oxfam Australia coordinated with Vanuatuan agencies to develop a response plan for Harold. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also devised a support package for both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Harold was the first Category 5 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian scale to strike Vanuatu since Cyclone Pam in 2015, bringing gusts above and of rain. Approximately a third of Vanuatu's population was said to have been impacted by the storm across seven islands. Communications were lost in most of the affected areas, particularly in Vanuatu's northern provinces. Telecommunications company Vodafone reported loss of contact with the Banks Islands, Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Pentecost Island. Connections were reestablished in the hardest-hit areas two days after Harold made landfall. Beginning prior to landfall, the cyclone's slow movement west of Vanuatu drew in copious moisture, resulting in heavy rainfall. Flash flooding forced people to evacuate their homes for higher ground in Espiritu Santo and damaged roads in Penama. On the island of Malakula, rivers overflowed their banks and inundated gardens. Farther south, Aneityum recorded of rain.
Modelling from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre suggested that storm surge heights peaked at in Vanuatu. Damage was extensive in Espiritu Santo where Harold first made landfall. Ships were grounded on the shores of the island by the rough seas. Extensive defoliation and flooding occurred across northern Vanuatu. Water shortages and power outages began affecting Luganville, Espiritu Santo's largest city, prior to Harold's landfall. Heavy rainfall also threatened the contamination of Luganville's water supplies and washing out crops and roads, especially in low-lying areas. As the cyclone made landfall and moved through the city on April 6, the winds unroofed homes and downed trees. Some buildings were flattened by the storm, with one reduced to its foundation. Approximately 50–70 percent of buildings in the city were damaged; about half of homes suffered significant damage. Luganville Mayor Peter Patty stated “We are badly affected. We urgently need water, food and shelter at the moment. Many have lost their homes. Schools are destroyed. Electricity is down. I'm urgently calling for help. This is one of the worst experiences of my life.” following the storm. Further torrential rainfall flooded roadways. Luganville's municipal council building was destroyed. Communications with the city were disrupted as the storm swept through, and the city was further isolated from the rest of Espiritu Santo by floods, debris, and landslides. Mayor of the sister city to Luganville, Mont-Dore in New Caledonia, promised to help bring supplies and "exceptional assistance" to help Luganville recover from the devastating cyclone. Buildings were also destroyed across the rest of Sanma Province. Initial reports suggested severe damage was inflicted near Harold's point of landfall in the southwestern part of the province, with some areas experiencing damage to all structures. Shacks along the coast of Espiritu Santo were completely demolished, with some more developed homes unroofed and their walls ripped off or collapsed in. No building or structure was left unscathed in some communities on Malo Island. Two deaths were reported on the island, and many were said to have been injured. More extreme damage was reported in Pentecost, where the storm made its second landfall near peak intensity. Entire villages were reportedly destroyed. Further aerial damage surveys were issued to assess damage on the island. With the health facility Melsisi destroyed and staff housing damaged, the lower floor of another damaged building was used as a temporary medical ward. Damage wrought by Harold was said to have affected fewer areas than that of Cyclone Pam five years prior, but overall damage was deemed significantly worse in some areas, particularly Pentecost. 68% of all structures on Pentecost Island were estimated to have been damaged, while 45% were estimated to have been damaged on Malo Island. World Bank estimated the total damage of Harold reached US$617 million.
The FMS issued heavy rain alerts for the western half of Viti Levu, Kadavu Island, and the Mamanuca Islands and Yasawa Islands islands on April 6, anticipating the arrival of Harold's rainbands and its centre's eventual passage south of Fiji. Storm warnings were later put in effect for the areas under a heavy rain alert, in addition to the Lomaiviti Islands; the heavy rain alert was expanded to encompass the entirety of the Fijian islands. The highest warning, a hurricane warning, was issued for Kadavu and Ono-i-Lau on April 7. The Fiji National Disaster Management Office (FDNMO) activated their Emergency Operations Centre to streamline preparations and evacuations. Across Fiji, 25 evacuation centres were initially opened, with 22 in the Western Division and 3 in the Central Division; at least 2,146 people sought shelter in the centres. The number of shelters and evacuees increased during and after Harold's passage; over 6,000 people sought refuge at 197 evacuation centres, with at least two in each of Fiji's four districts. All village headmen and community leaders were directed to evacuate their people to safety. The Kadavu Provincial Council warned Kadavu residents to seek higher ground. Viti Levu was placed under a restriction of movement order on April 8, ensuring that only emergency services would be on the roads; this order was lifted later that day. The director of the Fijian Ministry of Fisheries, Mere Lakeba, advised aquaculture farmers to reduce water usage and boaters to move their vessels to safety. Maritime clearances were indefinitely terminated for all ships by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, apart from evacuating ships. All Land Transport Authority offices were closed. Non-essential civil servants were directed to stay home. On April 7, Fiji Airways moved some of its larger aircraft to New Zealand to avoid storm damage. Fiji Airways flights carrying evacuees departed for Sydney and Los Angeles.
Early on April 7, villagers in the Malolo and Yasawa Islands groups began to feel some early effects from the storm, including gusty winds, moderate coastal flooding, and storm surge. The Turaga (village chief) advised all villagers on Malolo to stay inside and remain alert at all times throughout the day. Heavy rainfall flooded several communities across Fiji; flash flood warnings covered all low-lying areas and watersheds throughout the country. Parts of Ba, Lautoka, and two villages were flooded. Patients in the main hospital in Lautoka were moved to the ground floor as a precautionary measure. Police checkpoints were established to restrict travel to Ba due to widespread floods along the Ba River and nearby creeks. Nearly a hundred homes in Qauia, Lami, were affected by flooding. Roads were blocked by fallen trees, floodwaters, and landslides. The Nasivi River overflowed its banks, submerging a highway and a bridge. Sections of Queens and Kings highways were closed due to obstructions. Nine houses were razed in Tailevu Province, injuring several people. Tailevu North College and homes in Tailevu lost parts of their roofs. Crops were uprooted from farms by the winds. In Nadi, winds reached and electricity was cut. Power outages stemming from downed power poles and lines affected much of Fiji's Central and Western divisions. Power company Energy Fiji Limited described the damage to its power lines as "significant". Houses in Sigatoka were damaged by strong winds and most parts of the city were left without power. A tornado struck Vusuya, Nausori on the morning of April 8, unroofing homes, uprooting trees, and felling power poles; fifteen houses were badly damaged and two people were injured. Seven houses and a school were unroofed by another tornado in Nakasi. Nine homes in Narere, Nasinu were damaged by a third tornado produced by Harold. Low-lying areas of Suva were inundated along the coastal waterfront. About ten homes in the city were destroyed. Metal and aluminum pipes from a skyscraper undergoing construction in Suva fell onto the adjacent roads and properties. Heavy rain and strong winds extended into the Northern Division, downing trees and signage. Cassava, plantain, and banana plantations sustained losses due to strong winds in Kubulau, Bua District. Communications were lost in the Kadavu and the Lau islands, where many buildings were damaged. Approximately 50 homes were destroyed in Ono-i-Lau, which was away from the center of Harold at its closest approach. Widespread damage was reported in Dravuni. Farms and crops were damaged in Vanuabalavu. In Bulia, Kadavu, around 20 homes were damaged, including newly built houses. In total, 26 people were injured across Fiji, and one died. Power remained yet to be restored for 80% of the affected homes by April 11, 3 days after the first impacts.
Damage caused by Harold in the agricultural and educational industry of Fiji totaled up to Fijian dollar35.5 million (US$15.5 million). 1,919 buildings in Fiji were damaged by Harold and 575 were destroyed, mainly in the Eastern Division. The government estimated the total damage to be exceeding US$40 million.
Power outages began affecting parts of Tonga due to falling trees caused by the storm on April 9. The center of Harold passed south of Tongatapu, lashing Tonga with heavy rains and wind; a peak gust of was registered at 'Eua Airport. Damage to food crops and water supplies occurred in 'Eua and Tongatapu. Storm surge, reaching above king tide, inundated coastal extents of Tongatapu, with their greatest impacts on the island's central and western shores. Three tourist resorts west of Nuku'alofa were destroyed; their beach-side cottages, events complexes, and residences were razed by the surge. Of the islands, 'Eua was most badly affected, with serious damage wrought to its wharf. Some houses were unroofed and electricity was lost throughout the island. Casualties were reported in the kingdom on April 10, although cut communications by the storm prevented confirmation of them. Farther inland, vegetation and crops were damaged by the storm. On April 23, Tonga's Minister of Finance revealed that the total Damages from Cyclone Harold in Tonga is estimated to in excess of US$111 million.
In Fiji, Fijian soldiers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Third Fiji Infantry and police were dispatched to clear debris following the storm. The Government of Australia pledged A$350,000 in aid to Fiji for Harold relief efforts. The High Commissioner of New Zealand to Fiji, Jonathan Curr, pledged humanitarian and disaster and relief for Fiji from New Zealand.
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