 Bola near peak intensity on 1 March | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 24 February 1988 |
| Extratropical | 4 March 1988 |
| Dissipated | 12 March 1988 |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 940 hPa (mbar); 27.76 inHg |
| Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 195 km/h (120 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 7 direct |
| Damage | $82 million (1988 USD) |
| Areas affected | Fiji, Vanuatu, New Zealand |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1987–88 South Pacific cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand,[1] causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. It formed on 24 February to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on 28 February. The next day it generated peak wind velocities of 195 km/h (120 mph), though it quickly weakened as it accelerated southward. On 4 March, Bola transitioned into an extratropical storm, passing to the north of the North Island of New Zealand on 8 March. It weakened further and was absorbed by a stationary trough near the South Island on 12 March.
The cyclone first affected Fiji, where it produced gale-force winds and strong waves. In Vanuatu, Bola dropped heavy rainfall, which destroyed two bridges and caused severe damage to islands in the group. Bola caused severe damage to the North Island of New Zealand, where heavy rainfall peaked at 917 mm (36.1 in) in the Gisborne Region. Damage totaled over $82 million (1988 USD).[2] Seven people were killed due to flooding,[3] and hundreds were evacuated when a swollen river threatened Wairoa. In Whangaruru Harbour, Northland, an elderly male suffered a heart attack and died during the peak of the storm while attempting to tie down a neighbour's empty water tank.