In the middle of the 2009/10 Tropical Cyclone (TC) season, Oli showed its power in French Polynesia by inducing strong swells and made a direct impact on the island of Tubuai. TC Oli crossed more than five thousand kilometers between 1 February and 6 February while in transit through the Southwest Pacific Ocean.
TC Oli reached Category 2 status, and passed near Mopelia Island and then to the southwest of the Windward Islands before closing on Tahiti and Moorea late on 3 February. 73 km/h maximal 10-minute sustained winds with gusts of up to 105 km/h were recorded at Bora-Bora, and very high seas were noted with waves from 6 to 7 meters across the Society Island group.
In Bora Bora, Raiatea, Tahaa, Maupiti and Huahine, several houses as well as some hotels were destroyed or partly damaged by strong winds and waves. However, passage of TC Oli distal to Tahiti and Moorea caused only small damage, with only some roofs torn off and coastal detritus emplaced due to the significant wave activity.
TC Oli intensified after passing Tahiti, reaching Category 4 status, with damage on Rurutu and Raivavae caused by wind and waves with an estimated height of 8 meters. Only a few hours after the arrival of TC Oli on Tubuai, there was enormous damage up to 100 meters inland. The eye of TC Oli passed over Tubuai on 5 February, with a minimal sea level pressure of 955.8 hPa and recorded sustained winds of 101 km/h with gusts up to 170 km/h. The northern and northeastern coasts of Tubuai were devastated, in contrast with southern, sheltered coastal areas. TC Oli’s storm track, travelling from Mopelia towards Tubuai in the southwest of the Society islands, is similar to past TCs, including TC Martin (November, 1997) and TC Wasa (December, 1991), which also experienced a direct hit.
Satellite imagery of TC Oli passing through French Polynesia
Pressure minima recorded at Tubuai during the storm