 Cyclone Ita at peak intensity nearing landfall in Queensland on 11 April | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 April 2014 |
| Extratropical | 14 April 2014 |
| Dissipated | 18 April 2014 |
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 220 km/h (140 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 315 km/h (195 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 922 hPa (mbar); 27.23 inHg |
| Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 918 hPa (mbar); 27.11 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 40 total[nb 1] |
| Damage | $1.15 billion |
| Areas affected | Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Queensland, New Zealand |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2013–14 Australian region cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ita was the strongest tropical cyclone in the Australian region by central pressure since George in 2007, and by wind speed since Monica in 2006. The system was first identified over the Solomon Islands as a tropical low on 1 April 2014, and gradually moved westward, eventually reaching cyclone intensity on 5 April. On 10 April, Ita intensified rapidly into a powerful Category 5 system on the Australian Scale, but it weakened to a Category 4 system in the hours immediately preceding landfall the following day. At the time of landfall at Cape Flattery at 12 April 22:00 (UTC+10), the cyclone's Dvorak intensity was approximately T5.0, consistent with a weak Category 4 system, and considerably lower than the T6.5 observed when the system was at its peak intensity. Meteorologists noted the system had, at that time, begun an eyewall replacement cycle; as a result, the system was considerably less powerful than various intensity scales had predicted. As a result, Ita's impact on terrain was lessened.
Owing to the rapid degradation of the cyclone before landfall, structural damage was relatively low at A$8.4 million (US$7.9 million). However, the agricultural industry suffered extensive impacts and total losses reached A$1.1 billion (US$1 billion).
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