Cyclone Bola

Severe Tropical Cyclone Bola
Bola near peak intensity on March 1
Meteorological history
FormedFebruary 23, 1988
DissipatedMarch 4, 1988
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (FMS)
Highest winds165 km/h (105 mph)
Lowest pressure940 hPa (mbar); 27.76 inHg
Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds195 km/h (120 mph)
Overall effects
Fatalities7 direct
Damage$82 million (1988 USD)
Areas affectedFiji, Vanuatu, New Zealand
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata

Part of the 1987–88 South Pacific cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand,[1] causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. It formed on February 24 to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on February 28. The next day it generated peak wind velocities of 195 km/h (120 mph), though it quickly weakened as it accelerated southward. On March 4, Bola transitioned into an extratropical storm, passing to the north of the North Island of New Zealand on March 8. It weakened further and was absorbed by a stationary trough near the South Island on March 12.

The cyclone first affected Fiji, where it produced gale-force winds and strong waves. In Vanuatu, Bola dropped heavy rainfall, which destroyed two bridges and caused severe damage to islands in the group. Bola caused severe damage to the North Island of New Zealand, where heavy rainfall peaked at 917 mm (36.1 in) in the Gisborne Region. Damage totaled over $82 million (1988 USD).[2] Seven people were killed due to flooding,[3] and hundreds were evacuated when a swollen river threatened Wairoa. In Whangaruru Harbour, Northland, an elderly male suffered a heart attack and died during the peak of the storm while attempting to tie down a neighbour's empty water tank.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference christchurch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference psw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "March 1988 North Island Ex-tropical Cyclone Bola ( 1988-03-06 )". hwe.niwa.co.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-31.

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