Post by J85K on Mar 29, 2015 10:53:35 GMT -4
www.weather.com/storms/typhoon/news/cyclone-pam-vanuatu-south-pacific
Cyclone Pam made a direct hit -- packing Category 5 winds -- on March 13 in the Republic of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean, including the capital city of Port Vila. This will likely be one of the worst natural disasters in the island chain's history.
At the height of its strength, during the evening to late night hours on March 13 (local time), Cyclone Pam produced winds as high as 165 mph, making it the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane during its closes approach to the islands. The western edge of the eye of Cyclone Pam scraped the eastern edge of Efate island, including the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila (population 44,000), at about 11 p.m. Friday night, local time.
One satellite estimate from the University of Wisconsin suggested Pam's central pressure may have been as low as 890 millibars. Another estimate Friday morning, U.S. time had a lower pressure (879 millibars). In general, the lower the central pressure, the stronger the tropical cyclone.
The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office had issued a red alert for the entire island chain.
Keeping in mind storm surge impact is also heavily dependent on the size, as well as the intensity of a tropical cyclone, here is a list of typical Category 5 wind impacts:
Some complete building failures. Small utility buildings blown over or away.
Severe and extensive window, door damage.
Complete destruction of mobile homes.
All shrubs, trees, signs blown down.
Cyclone Pam made a direct hit -- packing Category 5 winds -- on March 13 in the Republic of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean, including the capital city of Port Vila. This will likely be one of the worst natural disasters in the island chain's history.
At the height of its strength, during the evening to late night hours on March 13 (local time), Cyclone Pam produced winds as high as 165 mph, making it the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane during its closes approach to the islands. The western edge of the eye of Cyclone Pam scraped the eastern edge of Efate island, including the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila (population 44,000), at about 11 p.m. Friday night, local time.
One satellite estimate from the University of Wisconsin suggested Pam's central pressure may have been as low as 890 millibars. Another estimate Friday morning, U.S. time had a lower pressure (879 millibars). In general, the lower the central pressure, the stronger the tropical cyclone.
The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office had issued a red alert for the entire island chain.
Keeping in mind storm surge impact is also heavily dependent on the size, as well as the intensity of a tropical cyclone, here is a list of typical Category 5 wind impacts:
Some complete building failures. Small utility buildings blown over or away.
Severe and extensive window, door damage.
Complete destruction of mobile homes.
All shrubs, trees, signs blown down.