One may expect a chilly and snowy December across the US. However, portions of the southern US were shaken up by dozens of tornadoes in late December. In the Southern Hemisphere, Cyclone Chido unfortunately caused widespread devastation in Mayotte and Mozambique. Let's dive into how these disastrous and deadly events unfolded.
Cyclone Chido
On December 7, the Météo-France La Réunion (MFR) monitored a disturbance east of Diego Garcia. On December 10, the MFR named Tropical Storm Chido. A day later, the storm rapidly intensified to a Category 4 major cyclone due to low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures. On December 12, Chido peaked as a high-end powerful Category 4 cyclone with fierce sustained winds of 155 mph. Near the storm's peak, a high-resolution satellite revealed a stunningly warm 24°C eye temperature. Afterward, the storm underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, a process where a hurricane or cyclone's existing inner eyewall weakens and a new, larger eyewall replaces it, causing the storm to temporarily weaken. Although Chido completed the cycle and briefly re-intensified, downsloping and increasing wind shear disrupted the core as it passed northern Madagascar. Downsloping is the process that occurs when air is forced to descend a mountain, resulting in a warming and drying effect of the air. Thus, downsloping caused dry air to intrude Chido's core, further weakening the storm to a Category 3 cyclone. On December 14, Chido re-strengthened to a Category 4 major cyclone, making landfalls in Mayotte and Mozambique. After rapidly weakening over Mozambique, the storm dissipated on December 16.
Cyclone Chido devastated multiple areas from Agaléga, Mauritius to Mozambique. Chido wrecked havoc and destroyed 95% of North Agaléga and 98% of South Agaléga's buildings due to strong wind gusts and high waves. Although northern Madagascar was mostly spared from the worst of Chido, others were not as lucky. Chido was considered the worst storm to affect Mayotte in 90 years and nearly wiped out the entire island, with 90% of the island's structures destroyed. About 100,000 people were displaced and a staggering 35,000 homes were destroyed. Mayotte recorded shocking storm surges as high as 28 feet and the Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport suffered severe damage due to wind gusts up to 140 mph. Although the official death toll is 39 in Mayotte, the actual number of deaths could be in the hundreds. The territory's prefect, French prefect François-Xavier Bieuville, believed it would be extremely hard to count fatalities, partially due to the Muslim tradition of burying individuals within 24 hours, and stated that "there will be certainly be several hundreds." In Mozambique, unfortunately, more than 120 were killed and 2 million people were affected. Shockingly, at least 150,000 houses were completely or partially destroyed. In rural areas, Chido damaged 100% of homes in Mecúfi District, with 99% destroyed in the town of Murrebue. In conclusion, preliminary statistics suggest that Chido caused 172 fatalities (though this death toll will certainly increase) and more than $3.9 billion in damages.
Tornado Outbreak
Between December 28-29, 2024, a late-season widespread tornado outbreak impacted the Deep South, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds. On December 28, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for severe storms in parts of eastern Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. High dewpoints from 60–70°F would lead to lots of atmospheric instability, which causes rapid changes in temperature, pressure, and wind, leading to severe weather. A squall line (a line of thunderstorms) and discrete supercells were expected. Unfortunately, there were 4 fatalities and 19 injuries. In total, 108 tornadoes were confirmed, making this destructive event the second largest December outbreak in recorded US history.
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale classifies tornado intensity based on the severity of damage. An EF3 tornado causes severe damage and has winds of 136-165 mph. There were two notable EF3 tornadoes during this outbreak. A high-end EF3 tornado, with ferocious winds of around 160 mph, impacted Chambers and Jefferson counties in Texas and traveled for an astonishing nearly 70 miles. The tornado destroyed sections of multiple buildings, especially in Sabine Ranch, caused significant roof damage, and downed several telephone poles. After heading east-northeast on the ground for a stunning nearly two hours, the tornado dissipated over Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Luckily, there were no fatalities associated with that strong tornado. The second EF3 tornado started in Bude, Mississipppi. The twister headed northeast toward Franklin, Mississippi and destroyed some buildings, and damaged homes and buildings near McCall Creek. In the end, the tornado's large width peaked at just under a mile and traveled for nearly 30 miles. This destructive tornado turned over several trailer homes, uprooted trees, and inflicted severe roof damage.
Individuals should heed tornado or hurricane/cyclone watches and warnings in order to ensure safety and save lives.
Here are the key points to prepare for hurricanes or cyclones:
1. Create an emergency kit with non-perishable food and have a battery-powered weather radio, water, medications, important documents (e.g. passports and personal identification), and other essential supplies.
2. Trim trees and shrubs around your home to minimize damage from falling branches and limbs. Install storm shutters or plywood to protect windows and doors.
3. Develop an emergency plan with family members and designate a meeting point outside your home.
4. Plan paths for evacuation routes to leave your home.
5. Follow evacuation orders. If instructed to evacuate, leave your home immediately.
Here are the key points to prepare for tornadoes:
1. Know the signs of a tornado. There may be a rotating funnel-shaped cloud, a dark or green-colored sky, approaching cloud of debris, large hail, or a loud roar that sounds similar to a freight train.
2. Identify the safest place to take shelter. Safe places include a basement, an interior room without windows, and a storm cellar.
3. Create a tornado survival kit. Items include 3 day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day), first aid kit, battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, copies of important documents or papers, prescription medications, cash, can opener, and non-perishable food.
4. Practice an emergency plan. Identify ways to exit rooms and a safe place for household members and/or pets to gather during a tornado.
5. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. If you are on a road, do not go under an overpass or bridge due to a greater risk of you being injured by flying debris and a highway bridge may act as a wind tunnel, intensifying the powerful winds. You are safer in a low, flat area, such as lying in a ditch to protect yourself from flying debris.
Conclusion
The tornado outbreak and Cyclone Chido were unfortunately natural disasters that affected thousands of people and will cause a long-lasting impact to many communities. Both calamities represent a reminder of how individuals need to prepare as much as possible in advance of natural disasters. Many people in Mayotte were unprepared and municipal authorities did not seem to take the threat of a cyclone seriously. A combination of shanty towns, poor infrastructure, and lack of preparedness led to the deadly catastrophe in Mayotte. Let's hope that other countries and communities assist areas like Mayotte to build stronger infrastructure that can resist high winds and flooding.
Citations
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241214-cyclone-batters-french-indian-ocean-island-of-mayotte
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