Cyclone Honorinina

Tropical Cyclone Honorinina

Tropical cyclone (SWIO scale)
Category 3 (Saffir–Simpson scale)
Cyclone Honorinina nearing Madagascar
Formed	March 9, 1986
Dissipated	March 23, 1986
(Extratropical after March 18)
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 150 km/h (95 mph) 1-minute sustained: 205 km/h (125 mph)
Lowest pressure	941 hPa (mbar); 27.79 inHg
Fatalities	99 total
Damage	$150 million (1987 USD)
Areas affected	St. Brandon, Tromelin Island, Madagascar
Part of the 1985–86 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

Cyclone Honorinina was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck eastern Madagascar in March 1986. The eighth named storm of the season, Honorinina formed on March 9 to the south of Diego Garcia. It moved generally to the west-southwest due to a ridge to the south, gradually intensifying. On March 12, the Météo France office on Réunion (MFR) upgraded Honorinina to tropical cyclone status, which is the equivalent of a minimal hurricane. On the next day, the cyclone attained maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (95 mph) while in the vicinity of Tromelin Island. Honorinina weakened subsequently before making landfall about 40 km (25 mi) north of Toamasina, Madagascar with winds of 135 km/h (85 mph). The storm weakened further over land, moving southwestward across the country. It emerged into the Mozambique Channel and became extratropical on March 18. Honorinina turned to the southeast, dissipating on March 23.

Early in its duration, the storm produced gusty winds along St. Brandon, and it later brought gusts of 158 km/h (98 mph) on Tromelin Island. However, effects were worst in Madagascar, especially in Toamasina near where the storm made landfall. Damage spread along 800 km (500 mi) of the coastline and spread 100 km (60 mi) inland from the landfall point, with many towns severely affected. In Toamasina, the cyclone damaged the main port, the airport, and several warehouses, resulting in $17 million (1986 USD) of lost inventory. Thousands of houses were damaged, leaving 83,885 people homeless; a housing program earlier set up after Cyclone Kamisy in 1984 was extended to help storm victims after Honorinina. Nationwide, the cyclone killed 99 people and caused $150 million (1986 USD) in damage.