Cyclone Favio

Intense Tropical Cyclone Favio

Intense tropical cyclone (SWIO scale)
Category 4 (Saffir–Simpson scale)
Cyclone Favio on February 20
Formed	February 11, 2007
Dissipated	February 23, 2007
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 195 km/h (120 mph) 1-minute sustained: 220 km/h (140 mph)
Lowest pressure	925 hPa (mbar); 27.32 inHg
Fatalities	10
Damage	$71 million (2007 USD)
Areas affected	Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi
Part of the 2006–07 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

Cyclone Favio was the first known tropical cyclone that passed south of Madagascar to strike Africa as an intense tropical cyclone. Early on February 11, 2007, a zone of disturbed weather formed east of Madagascar. Four days later, Favio was named as intensified to a moderate tropical storm while moving southwest. On February 18, the storm was upgraded into a severe tropical storm. Then, it turned west in the general direction of Mozambique. Continuing to intensify, Favio was upgraded to a tropical cyclone early on February 19. Subsequently, the storm began to undergo rapid deepening; the small storm reached intense tropical cyclone status the next day before peaking in intensity. However, the cyclone had weakened somewhat prior to making landfall on February 22 in the Inhambane Province in Mozambique. It rapidly weakened over land and dissipated the next day.

While strengthening, Favio brought heavy rains to southern Madagascar. After making landfall, Intense Tropical Cyclone Favio brought widespread damage to Vilanculos in Mozambique, where the cyclone killed four people and injured at least 70 in the town. About 80% of the town was destroyed. Overall, a total of ten people were killed by the storm and nearly 100 others were injured, and combined with an earlier flood, the storm caused $71 million (2007 US$]]) in damage. Around 130,000 homes suffered damage and 130 schools were leveled by the tropical cyclone. Across the nation, a total of 33,000 people were left homeless during the system. Cyclone Favio destroyed 277,000 ha (684,480 acres) of crops. In Zimbabwe, 400 electricity poles were downed. During the aftermath of the storm, a number of agencies provided assistance to victims of Cyclone Favio in Mozambique. One agency donated $626,500, helping transport 50,000 mosquito nets to the devastated area. A total of 5,500 bars of soap, 1,600 buckets, 50 baths, and over 180 latrines were distributed to the victims of the devastated area. In all, the government was praised for how well they handled the disaster.