Cyclone Peni
Australian cyclone in 1990
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Through Australia and United Nations Development Programme
Meteorological history
On February 11, 1990, a shallow area of low-pressure which had formed near the South Pacific convergence zone began to develop near Rakahanga. The low-pressure system had gone through development and had acquired tropical cyclone status. The tropical cyclone was designated as Tropical Cyclone Peni on February 12.
Tropical Cyclone Peni had developed normal tropical cyclone characteristics around February 13 and had wind speeds up to 50 kts. Over the next 30 hours, Peni headed southwest towards the Cook archipelago. Peni had taken a steady southwestern track before passing close nearby Aitutkai around 10:00 UTC on the 15th. The Aitutkai Meteorological Office was evacuated due to dreadful and deteriorating weather conditions. At 06:00 UTC, Peni was upgraded to cyclone status. After gaining severe cyclone status, Peni made its closest point to the Cooks archipelago, near Rakahanga. Rakahanga was the only island reporting major damage, and Aitutaki was hit with severe weather.
Cyclone Peni had downgraded to a tropical cyclone on 06:00 UTC on February 17 after encountering the Cook Islands. Peni lost tropical cyclone characteristics as it neared southern vertical wind shear. The storm dissipated in the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean at 17:00 UTC.
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Preparations and impact
Not much is known about preparations from Cyclone Peni but the island of Rarotonga was prepared. The Cook Islands had significant impact with Peni. Peni had caused more than $1 million in 1990 USD. The cyclone had brought waves more than 8 meters high. Peni had specifically impacted these 3 islands:
While Cyclone Peni was still 2" east of Rarotonga, rain and gale winds had spread around the islands. Airstrips in Mauke and Rakahanga were closed due to the harsh weather, but Rarotonga International Airport were still in operation. Wharves on the beaches of Suwarrow were badly damages by the impact. Bananas, coconuts, roads, schools and government buildings were impacted by the storm. One person was killed in Rarotonga.
Aftermath
The governments of Samoa and Australia spoke about Cyclone Peni and Cyclone Ofa and the devastation in the archipelagos in a UNDP session. The Australian representer spoke out, saying:
"Cyclone Ofa had caused widespread devastation in the South Pacific region, and another tropical cyclone – Cyclone Peni – had been wreaking havoc in the region of the northern Cook Islands. The small island developing country of Samoa had been particularly hard hit."
The UNDP had approved 30,000 emergency personnel to the island. The government of New Zealand had a reconnaissance aircraft flight make a fly-by to deliver building materials and fuel to the archipelago. The Cook Island government had asked for an emergency relief, which was granted. The UNDP had given a $4 million (1990 USD) relief for the Cook Islands.