Raquel

History

Tropical Cyclone Raquel developed on 28 June 2015, when a tropical disturbance was identified approximately 660 kilometres northeast of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. The system tracked south-westward under the influence of a ridge of high pressure and was formally named Raquel on 30 June as it crossed into the Australian region, having organised into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale. Strong vertical wind shear prevented further intensification, and peak sustained winds reached 65 km/h. The system weakened to a tropical depression on 2 July before recurving eastward, then tracking back toward the Solomon Islands and passing near or over several islands between 3 and 5 July, before dissipating to the southwest of Guadalcanal. Raquel holds the distinction of being the first tropical cyclone on record to exist in the South Pacific Ocean during the month of July.

The cyclone's primary impact was on the Solomon Islands, where torrential rainfall caused widespread flash flooding across Malaita, Western, Choiseul and Isabel provinces. Thousands of food gardens were destroyed, including around 40,000 in Malaita Province alone. One person died after being struck by a falling tree, and 16 others were reported missing at sea. The Gold Ridge Mine on Guadalcanal was declared a disaster zone after associated rainfall brought its tailings dam close to capacity. Approximately 10,000 people were affected overall, and the Solomon Islands Cabinet allocated AU$3.3 million for relief supplies.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia