HEADER-how-to-prepare-for-a-cyclone-in-fiji-Credit-NASA-Earth-Observatory© NASA Earth Observatory
HEADER-how-to-prepare-for-a-cyclone-in-fiji-Credit-NASA-Earth-Observatory

Cyclone Safety in Fiji: How to Prepare for a Cyclone in Fiji

© NASA Earth Observatory

What You Need to Know About Cyclones in Fiji

Tropical cyclones that form in the South Pacific sometimes affect Fiji. If you’re planning on travelling to Fiji during the “wet season”, there is a risk of experiencing the effects of a cyclone. With that in mind, it’s best to be well-informed and prepared in case a cyclone does blow away the idyllic tropical holiday you were hoping for. Luckily, Fiji is well-prepared with emergency procedures should a  cyclone occur. In this guide, we’ll go through how to prepare for a cyclone in Fiji.

For more information on Fiji’s climate, see What is the Weather Like in Fiji? Plus, for more safety advice see How to Stay Safe in Fiji.

When is the Cyclone Season in Fiji?

The cyclone season in Fiji and the South Pacific starts in November and ends in April. This is Fiji’s summer/wet season. The months with the greatest risk of cyclones occurring are December, January and February. There is also a higher risk of cyclone activity during an El Nino year.

tropical cyclones fiji Credit Pixabay© Pixabay

Cyclone Warnings in Fiji

The weather is well monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service and the New Zealand MetService, so cyclones are reported as soon as they form. In short, a cyclone will never take you by surprise, giving you time to prepare.

How Cyclones are Reported

The first sign of a cyclone forming might come from a “tropical depression”. Meteorologists will keep a close eye on depressions that become a storm where wind speeds may reach 65-120 kph (40-73 mph). If it worsens, then the cyclone will be declared and given a name. Cyclones affecting Fiji in the past have been called “Winston” and “Mona”, for instance. When a cyclone is given a name, it is widely reported in the media across Fiji and Oceania.

Cyclones are given a category to indicate how severe they are. Category 1 is the weakest with wind speeds of 88-125 kph (55-78 mph) and Category 5 is the strongest with wind speeds greater than 250 kph (155 mph).

Meteorologists will draw up a five-day forecast outlining a path that they think the cyclone will take. The path is usually quite broad, as an exact path is difficult to determine.

Cyclone Watch Vs. Cyclone Warning

If there is a “Cyclone Watch” in an area, it means that high winds are likely to be in the area between 24 to 48 hours. If there is a “Cyclone Warning”, it means that high winds will be in the area within 24 hours if they are not already happening.

cyclones-in-Fiji-Credit-Pixnio© Pixnio

The Dangers of Cyclones

So why do you need to prepare for cyclones? The severe gale force winds can cause significant damage to weaker structures in Fiji, for instance, buildings in villages and small towns. There may also be damage to power lines causing blackouts, damage to crops and trees, and dangerous airborne debris.

However, most of the damage does not come from strong winds, rather from floods. Tropical depressions or cyclones often bring torrential rain that causes rivers to burst their banks. When this happens, there is a higher risk of disease and water in the urban water systems may become unsafe to drink.

It’s important to note that cyclone damage is quite localised, significantly affecting the areas in its path rather than the entire country.

how-to-prepare-cyclone-fiji-Credit-publicdomainpictures.net© publicdomainpictures.net

Is Fiji Prepared for Cyclones?

Fiji is well prepared for cyclones, especially in areas where most tourists are. Major resorts, particularly on the mainland (Viti Levu) have solidly-built buildings that can withstand gale-force winds. Less-developed islands with small villages and budget resorts have buildings that are less sturdy and are at risk of being destroyed by a severe cyclone.

In some towns, community shelters are in place in case of a cyclone, while people in villages will all congregate in the strongest building of the village.

Fiji’s domestic airlines and ferry services will not risk operating in severe weather or leading up to a cyclone.

cyclone fiji storm Credit Pxhere© Pxhere

How to Prepare for a Cyclone

The first way to be prepared for a cyclone in Fiji is to be aware of weather warnings during your stay. If you’re visiting Fiji during the cyclone season, between November and April, be sure to check weather reports regularly. For instance, severe weather warnings are published on the Fiji Meteorological Service website.

Given the nature of cyclones, it’s difficult to determine exactly how much damage they will cause. With this in mind, it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared.

What to Do if There is a Cyclone

  1. Hotels and resorts have evacuation plans in place in case of a severe cyclone, so follow their advice
  2. If it is safer to stay where you are, try to stock up on drinking water and food for a day or two
  3. Stay as far away from windows as possible
  4. Resort staff or locals you are staying with may suggest gathering in a more secure central area of the resort or village
  5. Don’t get too close to the sea during high winds, as waves may take you by surprise and wash you out
  6. Stay away from rivers or lakes after the storm passes
  7. Don’t drink straight from the tap soon after the storm passes – treat water using our tips in Is the Water Safe to Drink in Fiji?

Keep following the news and progress of the cyclone through radio, TV, text messages (you have to sign up for text alerts) and online news outlets. You’ll be informed if evacuation is necessary and where to evacuate to. Official advice will be given through local radio, TV and text messages. Learn more about getting a Fiji phone number in The Best SIM Cards in Fiji for Travellers.

Cyclone Safety in Fiji: How to Prepare for a Cyclone in Fiji© Pixabay

A History of Cyclones in Fiji

While cyclones form in the South Pacific at least once per year, only some have affected Fiji since records began. According to ThinkHazard.org and historic data, there is more than a 20% chance of potentially-damaging wind speeds in Fiji in the next 10 years. Below is a record of cyclones that have affected Fiji, including named cyclones since 2001 and a record of cyclones that have affected Fiji per month since 1643.

The Most Significant Cyclones Affecting Fiji (Since 2001)

  • Cyclone Paula in 2001 destroyed homes in nine villages across Viti Levu’s western coastline.
  • Cyclone Ami in January 2003 caused flooding and landslides which was particularly severe in Labasa (Vanua Levu).
  • Tropical Depression 10F in 2004 was a deadly cyclone, claiming 11 lives in Fiji and caused the worst floods and damage in Viti Levu, Yasawa Islands and Mamanuca Islands.
  • Cyclone Gene in 2008 was more widespread, causing eight deaths and FJ$51 million in damage.
  • Cyclone Hettie in 2009, also known as Tropical Depression 04F, brought heavy rainfall to the Northern, Central and Western divisions of Fiji causing 11 deaths whilst over 6,000 people were displaced.
  • In 2009, resorts had to be evacuated along the Coral Coast during Cyclone Evan.
  • Cyclone Tomas in 2010 destroyed homes in the northern islands of Fiji, which also caused power and running water dispruptions.
  • Cyclone Ula in 2015 caused flooding in Ba and heavy rain in the Western Division.
  • One of the South Pacific’s most intense cyclones, Cyclone Winston in 2016, cause widespread damage across Fiji and affecting 40% of the population and 44 reported deaths.
  • Cyclone Gita in February 2018 mainly caused damage to Ono-i-Lau in the Lau Islands.
  • In 2019, Cyclone Sarai passed over Kadava, claiming two lives.
  • Cyclone Tino in 2020 caused flooding and damage primarily on Rotuma and the Northern Division.
  • One of Fiji’s worst recent cyclones, Cyclone Harold, happened in April 2020, which caused widespread damage across the country and one death.
  • In 2020, Cyclone Yasa affected more than 10% of the Fijian population, with around 23,000 peopler required to go to evacuation centres.
  • Cyclone Ana in 2021 caused localised flooding in Nadi, Ba, Rakiraki and Suva on Viti Levu.
  • In 2022, Cyclone Cody killed one person and over 4,500 people were evacuated.

The History of Cyclones in Fiji, Month-by-Month

  • October – 1972 (Cyclone Bebe).
  • November – 1875, 1923, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1957 and 1964.
  • December – 1873, 1879, 1881, 1883, 1890, 1890, 1892, 1892, 1901, 1902, 1911, 1914, 1917, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1929, 1939, 1941, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1963, 1964, 1986 (Cyclone Raja), 1992 (Cyclone Joni and Cyclone Kina), 1997 (Cyclone Susan), 2002 (Cyclone Zoe), 2007 (Cyclone Daman), 2009 (Cyclone Evan), 2015 (Cyclone Ula), 2019 (Cyclone Sarai) and 2020 (Cyclone Yasa).
  • January – 1842, 1848, 1860, 1866, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1880, 1882, 1883, 1889, 1895, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1912, 1916, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1985 (Cyclone Nigel), 1987 (Cyclone Raja), 1997 (Cyclone Susan), 2003 (Cyclone Ami, Cyclone Cilla and Cyclone Zoe), 2006 (Cyclone Tam), 2008 (Cyclone Gene), 2009 (Cyclone Hettie), 2011 (Cyclone Wilma and Cyclone Vania), 2014 (Cyclone Ian), 2020 (Cyclone Tino), 2021 (Cyclone Ana) and 2022 (Cyclone Cody)
  • February – 1643 (recorded by Abel Tasman), 1839, 1840, 1874, 1875, 1881, 1883, 1884, 1888, 1891, 1900, 1904, 1913, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1931, 1933, 1936, 1938, 1941, 1945, 1949, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1983 (Cyclone Oscar), 1988 (Cyclone Bola), 2016 (Cyclone Winston), 2018 (Cyclone Gita) and 2023 (Cyclones Judy and Kevin).
  • March – 1831, 1839, 1840, 1844, 1854, 1856, 1864, 1869, 1871, 1875, 1877, 1881, 1886, 1900, 1909, 1910, 1913, 1914, 1919, 1923, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1939, 1944, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1968, 1983 (Cyclone Oscar), 1985 (Cycone Gavin #1), 1998 (Cylone Bola), 1992 (Cyclone Fran), 1997 (Cyclone Gavin #2), 2001 (Cyclone Paula), 2010 (Cyclone Tomas), 2014 (Cyclone Lusi) and 2023 (Cylones Judy and Kevin).
  • April – 1848, 1901, 1903, 1913, 1923, 1941, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1967, 2004 (Tropical Depression 10F), 2007 (Cyclone Cliff), 2016 (Cyclone Amos) and 2020 (Cyclone Harold).
Cyclone Safety in Fiji: How to Prepare for a Cyclone in Fiji© Pixabay

Frequently Asked Questions About Cyclones in Fiji (and How They Can Affect Travellers)

Still haven’t had your question about cyclones in Fiji answered yet? Perhaps these frequently asked questions about cyclones in Fiji will help!

What is a cyclone, and how does it affect Fiji?

A cyclone is a system of winds rotating inwards to an area of low barometric pressure, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. In Fiji, cyclones typically occur during the wet season, from November to April. They can lead to flooding, landslides and disruptions to services and infrastructure, affecting both residents and travellers.

When is cyclone season in Fiji?

Cyclone season in Fiji runs from November to April, coinciding with the wet season. This is when the islands are most susceptible to cyclones, which can range in intensity from mild to severe.

How often do cyclones hit Fiji?

Cyclones are not an everyday occurrence in Fiji, even during cyclone season, but the islands can experience one to three cyclones of varying intensities per season. It’s important to note that not all will directly hit Fiji; some may pass nearby, causing indirect effects such as heavy rainfall and strong winds.

What precautions should travellers take during cyclone season?

Travellers planning to visit Fiji during cyclone season should:

  • Monitor local and international weather updates regularly
  • Understand the evacuation plan of their accommodation
  • Have flexible travel plans and consider travel insurance that covers natural disasters
  • Keep essential items like medications, water, and food supplies handy
  • Stay in contact with their embassy or consulate in case of emergency.

Can I still enjoy my trip to Fiji during cyclone season?

Yes, you can still enjoy your trip to Fiji during cyclone season, as cyclones are unpredictable and may not affect your visit. However, it’s wise to plan indoor activities and be prepared for possible changes in weather. Many resorts and hotels are well-equipped to deal with cyclones, ensuring the safety and comfort of their guests.

What should I do if a cyclone warning is issued while I’m in Fiji?

If a cyclone warning is issued while you’re in Fiji, follow the advice of local authorities and your accommodation’s management. Stay indoors, away from windows, and avoid unnecessary travel. Keep your travel documents and emergency kit within easy reach, and stay informed through local news and weather forecasts.

How can cyclones affect travel plans to and from Fiji?

Cyclones can lead to flight delays or cancellations, as well as disruptions to ferry services between islands. Roads may be impassable due to flooding or debris. It’s crucial to stay flexible, keep in close contact with your airline or travel provider for updates, and have a backup plan.

What measures do Fijian authorities and accommodations take to ensure safety during a cyclone?

Fiji has a comprehensive disaster management system in place, including early warning systems and evacuation plans. Hotels and resorts are built to withstand severe weather and have protocols to shelter and provide for guests during a cyclone. Staff are trained to handle such situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of all guests.

More About Cyclones in Fiji

That’s it for our complete guide to cyclones in Fiji and how to prepare. For more about natural disasters and safety in Fiji, take a look at the following guides:

Finally, get all of the tips required for a smooth getaway to the islands from our 30 Tips for Travelling in Fiji.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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