 Cyclone Fran on 9 March | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 4 March 1992 |
| Dissipated | 17 March 1992 |
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg |
| Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 5 direct |
| Damage | $9.4 million (1992 USD) |
| Areas affected | Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Queensland, Norfolk Island, New Zealand |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1991–92 South Pacific and the Australian region cyclone seasons | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Fran was the third tropical cyclone within four weeks to impact Vanuatu in 1992. Fran formed on 4 March and then gradually intensified, with winds reaching gale-force on 5 March, and hurricane-force a few days later. Few days later, Cyclone Fran reached severe tropical cyclone status near Vanuatu, and also became a powerful Category 5-equivalent on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm weakened somewhat due to land interaction, but briefly re-intensified after moving away from land. Fran gradually weakened over the next several days over less favorable conditions. Meanwhile, the storm passed north of New Caledonia. Eventually, as a Category 2 system on the Australian scale, Fran made landfall on Queensland on 16 March. Afterwards, Cyclone Fran turned towards the southeast and eventually headed back out to sea, eventually dissipating the next day. On Efate, over 130 houses lost roofs. Along Queensland, two rivers sustained major flooding, but no deaths were attributed to this cyclone. Total damage from the system was AU$8–10 million (1992 AUD). Moderate damage was also reported in Fiji. In New Caledonia, the storm brought flooding and landslides.