Cyclone Hola
Severe Tropical Cyclone Hola had significant effects across Vanuatu in March 2018, resulting in the deaths of three people. Forming as a broad tropical disturbance on 5 March, the system slowly consolidated over the next few days before developing into a tropical cyclone on 6 March. Afterwards, a pinhole eye began to emerge and rapid intensification ensued.
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
Cyclone Hola at peak intensity on 8 March | |
| Formed | 3 March 2018 |
| Dissipated | 13 March 2018 |
| (Extratropical after 11 March) | |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 165 km/h (105 mph) 1-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 952 hPa (mbar); 28.11 inHg |
| Fatalities | 3 total |
| Damage | $5.66 million (2018 USD) (Total needs assessment) |
| Areas affected | Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand |
| Part of the 2017–18 South Pacific cyclone season | |
Cyclone Hola caused extensive damage in Vanuatu, damaging or destroying 1,709 structures, ruining crops, and killing three people. Impacts were most severe in Ambrym where half of the areas homes were damaged and people suffered from food shortages. Ambae, already dealing with the disruptive effects of a volcanic eruption, had major damage. Several other provinces reported varying degrees of lesser impact. Fiji, New Caledonia, and New Zealand were also affected by the cyclone. The former two experienced negligible effects while the latter saw heavy rain and strong winds. Effects in New Zealand were less than initially feared, and local media called it a "lucky escape".