Freda

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda developed in the South Pacific during the 2012–13 cyclone season, first classified as a tropical disturbance on 26 December 2012, approximately 1,075 km north of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The system tracked southwest and was formally named Freda on 28 December as it moved through the southern Solomon Islands. It briefly crossed into the Australian region on 29 December before returning to the South Pacific basin, during which time it developed a well-defined eye and intensified rapidly.

Freda reached its peak intensity on 30 December, achieving Category 4 status on the Australian scale with 10-minute sustained winds of 185 km/h. It subsequently weakened as increasing wind shear eroded convection over the system. By 1 January 2013, the storm had degraded to a tropical depression, eventually crossing the northern part of New Caledonia's Grande Terre island before dissipating on 4 January.

In the Solomon Islands, winds of up to 130 km/h caused roof damage, felled trees, and produced flooding in several provinces, with Makira and Ulawa most severely affected. A relief budget of $3.7 million was approved by Solomon Islands authorities. No casualties were recorded there. In New Caledonia, the storm produced a peak wind gust of 154 km/h and 438 mm of rainfall at Goro. One person drowned in rough seas and another went missing after attempting to cross a flooded river.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia