Cyclone Anne

Preparations and impact

During its early stages of development, Anne passed through the central islands of Tuvalu, causing minor damage to houses and crops such as bananas and coconuts. The storm passed to the north of Funafuti where strong gale force winds of 70 km/h (45 mph) were recorded. The system subsequently affected the Solomon Island province of Temotu between January 9 – 10 while it had sustained winds of 150 km/h (95 mph). However, the cyclone's center did not pass directly over any island, and the smaller islands escaped the destructive hurricane-force winds. Because Anne moved through the province at about 30 km/h (20 mph), any gale and storm force winds that affected the islands were not prolonged. Anuta, Utupua, the Duff Islands and the Reef Islands all reported extensive damage to property and crops, with at least 25 houses and 5 classrooms damaged.

The system affected the Northern Vanuatu Islands between January 10 – 11 and was the fourth major tropical cyclone to affect the island nation since 1985, after Severe Tropical Cyclones Eric, Nigel and Uma. Ahead of Anne affecting Vanuatu, various alerts and warnings were issued including a hurricane warning. During January 10, the cyclone directly passed over the Torres Islands and came within 65 km (40 mi) of the Banks Islands, although it missed Vanuatu's most populated districts around Port Vila and the rest of Espiritu Santo. Within Vanuatu, over 1600 people were made homeless while wind gusts of up to 225 km/h (140 mph) were recorded. Torrential rain, flooding and storm surge caused damage to houses, crops and property while triggering a landslide on the island of Epi. The hardest hit area was Torba Province with severe damage recorded on the islands of Ureparapara and the Torres Islands, while extensive damage was recorded on the islands of Vanua Lava and Gaua. Within the province, virtually the whole population lost their houses, as well as their cash crops. There were reports of 4–5 m (13–16 ft) tidal waves, washing away houses on the west coast of Ureparapara, while significant wave heights of over 11 m (36 ft) were recorded. Within the province of Sanma, severe damage was recorded on Espiritu Santo after Anne flooded huts, unroofed school buildings, uprooted coconut trees and destroyed the main wharf. Overall the total damages from Anne in Vanuatu, were estimated at US$500,000.

In conjunction with Tropical Cyclone Agi, Anne affected the whole of New Caledonia between January 11–15, becoming the most powerful tropical cyclone to affect the French overseas territory in 12 years. Winds in Noumea reached up to 150 km/h (95 mph), although there was no serious damage there. Prolonged storm force winds left extensive damage to the island, with the eastern and southern coasts particularly affected. On January 12, the system produced the highest daily rainfall totals since 1951, with Noumea recording 262 mm (10.3 in). Larger rainfall totals included 713 mm (28.1 in) in Goro and 519 mm (20.4 in) in Thio. Two people were killed after they attempted to cross a flooded river. Floods also swept away crops, huts and topsoil belonging to indigenous Melanesians that lived in coastal villages. Some areas reported crop damage between 90 and 100%. Most of the roads within the territory were left unusable while all international flights to the territory were cancelled. About half of the houses in Poindimié were damaged or destroyed. The last wooden Royal Navy boat was scheduled to be sunk on January 12, but was moved to January 19 due to the cyclones. Overall, there were about 80 injuries related to the cyclone in New Caledonia.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the cyclone was marked by a distinct lack of a quantitative assessment within the Solomon Islands; with few boats or aircraft near the remote islands, relief measures were slow to get underway. However, 11 men aboard the United States Navy vessel USS Barbour County received Humanitarian Service Medals from the United States Department of Defense after aiding storm victims on Tikopia and Anuta from January 16 to 19.

With some residents forced to seek refuge in caves, the Government of Vanuatu asked the Australian, New Zealand and American governments for emergency food supplies and other assistance. In accordance, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) dispatched two Hercules transport planes to help with recovery efforts. The first carried a helicopter that transported Vanuatu military forces, medical teams and supplies to the affected northern islands, especially remote villages inaccessible to larger aircraft. The other plane was used to transport more than 16,000 kilograms (35,000 lb) of fuel and relief supplies including food and shelter provisions. The Royal New Zealand Air Force also provided a plane, which transported relief supplies from Espiritu Santo to the northern islands up to three times daily, with the bulk of supplies donated by Australia. The European Commission provided Vanuatu with €100,000 in emergency aid to purchase local foods, including rice, preserved meat, and fish, and to distribute it to Anne's victims. The total cost of relief and reconstruction efforts was estimated between US$1.2–2 million.

Within the Paiti-la-Tonuatua area to the north of Noumea, New Caledonia Air Force helicopters rescued several people who had moved to the roofs of their houses. Despite the severe crop damage, no areas were declared disasters by January 20. The South Pacific division of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency sent AU$5,000 to New Caledonia for relief efforts. Emergency funding of F300,000 was given to New Caledonia to help with the relief effort by the French Minister of the Interior and Minister of Overseas Territories. The European Commission also provided New Caledonia with €85,000, which was distributed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the form of cash donations to the worst-affected families. After the season, the name "Anne" was retired by the World Meteorological Organization.