Cyclone Winston

Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston was a tropical cyclone in February 2016. It was the first recorded Category 5 storm to hit Fiji. It was also one of the strongest tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere.^[1] Before the storm got to Fiji, many shelters were opened. A curfew was called across the country on 20 February.

The cyclone struck Fiji as a Category 5 tropical cyclone. Winston caused a lot of damage in the islands.^[2] It killed twenty-eight people.

In advance of the storm's arrival in Fiji, numerous shelters were opened, and a nationwide curfew was instituted during the evening of 20 February. Striking Fiji at Category 5 intensity on 20 February, Winston inflicted extensive damage on many islands and killed 44 people. Communications were temporarily lost with at least six islands, with some remaining isolated more than two days after the storm's passage. A total of 40,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and approximately 350,000 people—roughly 40 percent of Fiji's population—were significantly impacted by the storm. Total damage from Winston amounted to FJ$2.98 billion (US$1.4 billion). The nation's government declared a state of emergency on 20 February, which remained in place for 60 days. Immediately following the cyclone, the governments of Australia and New Zealand provided logistical support and relief packages. In the following weeks, a coalition of international support, including intergovernmental agencies, brought tens of millions of dollars in aid and hundreds of tons of supplies to residents in Fiji.

Cyclone Winston Media

Winston reaching its initial peak intensity, southeast of Vanuatu on 12 February
Joe Munchak describes the features of Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Winston east of Queensland, with subtropical characteristics on 27 February
Winston making landfall in Viti Levu on 20 February
A home largely destroyed by the storm in Tailevu Province
Large swells in Gold Coast, Queensland injured multiple people and prompted the closure of beaches
The eye of Winston over Koro Island on 20 February
A school destroyed by the storm in Tailevu Province
Koro Island before (left) and after (right) Winston. Severe defoliation is readily seen with the island's green landscape turned brown.
Relief supplies from Australian AID being loaded into aircraft for delivery to Koro Island.