Cyclone Ofa

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ofa was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused severe damage in Polynesia in February 1990. The system was first noted on 27 January 1990, near Tuvalu, as a shallow tropical depression that had developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone. The cloud pattern slowly organized, and on 31 January, while located east of Tuvalu, Ofa attained cyclone intensity. Moving slowly southeast, Ofa developed storm-force winds. It attained hurricane-force winds on 2 February. Cyclone Ofa reached peak intensity on 4 February. Shortly after, its peak Ofa began to weaken over a less favorable environment. Ofa was declared an extratropical cyclone on 8 February, though the system was still tracked by meteorologists until 10 February.

Ofa produced gales or high winds or gales on many islands, resulting in widespread damage due to a combination of storm surge and high seas. In all, eight people were killed and damage totaled to US$187 million. The worst effects were recorded in Samoa, where seven people were killed. Roughly 200 people were evacuated, and 10 to 20 others were injured through the islands. Extreme damage to crops and trees was also recorded. Elsewhere, Ofa was blamed for the lowest ever recorded pressure on the island of Niue, along with considerable damage.