Preparations and impact Cyclone Waka

infrared satellite image of cyclone waka passing directly on vava u on december 31

when storm moving through islands of tonga @ peak strength, few islands recorded hurricane-force winds; city of neiafu measured strongest winds, peaking @ 185 km/h (115 mph). in southern islands, wind gusts 250 km/h (155 mph) affected isolated areas. in haʻapai islands, sustained winds reached 100 km/h (65 mph) , gusted 140 km/h (85 mph). heavy rains fell during waka s passage, amounting on 200 mm (7.9 in) in haʻapai.

initial reports nukuʻalofa on december 31 indicated severe agricultural damage few infrastructural losses. following passage of waka, communication niuas , vava u lost. according local reports, high winds sandblasted neiafu , downed every tree. surveys red cross revealed 200 homes in city severely damaged or destroyed , left standing lost roofs. vava u lost 90% of crops, including essential food crops such taro, yams , bananas. in ha apai, 1 person died cardiac arrest brought on storm. fallen trees blocked numerous roads; power , water supplies interrupted residents. severe damage took place on niuatoputapu coastal homes impacted waka s storm surge , several structures lost roofs. in 1 instance, yacht brought onshore surge , crashed restaurant, destroying both.

according damage surveys, 13 of country s islands sustained damage; 470 homes , 6 schools destroyed , hundreds more damaged. damage throughout tonga amounted 104.2 million paʻanga ($51.3 million usd). in addition infrastructural , public damage, environment sustained catastrophic losses on tonga. insular flying fox (pteropus tonganus), native species of bat, suffered great losses waka. compared pre-cyclone population levels, 79.8% (±9.9%) of species killed across 6 islands. due widespread destruction of natural food source, decreased 85% (±11.8%) following waka. trees across vava u defoliated, although 6.6% killed, leaving no food bats. greatest decline in bats on utula aina island @ 95.7%; a island sustained complete loss of food-bearing plants. 6 months after storm, bat population in vava u still 20% of pre-storm level.

elsewhere

during cyclone s formative stages, brought significant winds , swells tokelau, resulting in localized flooding , crop damage. american samoa experienced heavy rains, amounting 56.9 mm (2.24 in), , gusts 90 km/h (56 mph). winds downed few trees , caused minor crop damage, losses amounting us$120,000. large swells affected island week storm developed , moved away region. cyclone waka affected wallis , futuna, prompting tropical cyclone watches , warnings december 28 31, , later impacted niue, prompting warnings there december 30 january 1. on wallis island, 1 home destroyed , 50% of banana crop lost. maximum of 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain fell in hihifo during passage of waka. wind gust of 126 km/h (78 mph) , swells 7 m (23 ft) recorded in wallis. niue received more significant damage, experiencing storm surge of 8 m (26 ft) , sea spray 100 m (330 ft) inland. numerous fallen trees , power lines blocked roads , left southern areas of island without power 6 hours. damage in niue amounted us$10,000.

after moving through tongan islands, remnants of waka brought large swells, estimated 2.5 m (8.2 ft), north island of new zealand. thousands of residents , tourists in region following new year s holiday. meteorologists warned oceans increasingly dangerous , advised people not venture water. every lifeguard in whangamata, former lifeguards, called in assist in keeping estimated 8,000 people out of water. although people stayed within designated swimming area, several rescues had made. rip currents pulled 38 people out sea in mount maunganui main beach; rescued lifeguards.