Editing Tuvalu (section)

===Cyclones and king tides===
====Cyclones====
[[File:Ocean side Funafuti.jpg|thumb|right|Ocean side of Funafuti atoll showing the storm dunes, the highest point on the atoll]]
Because of the low elevation, the islands that make up this country are vulnerable to the effects of [[tropical cyclone]]s and by the threat of current and future [[sea level rise]].<ref name="Krales">{{cite news |first=Amelia Holowaty |last=Krales |url=http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/as-danger-laps-at-its-shores-tuvalu-pleads-for-action/ |title=As Danger Laps at Its Shores, Tuvalu Pleads for Action |date=18 October 2011 |work=The New York Times – Green: A Blog about Energy and the Environment |access-date=24 October 2011 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320014634/http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/as-danger-laps-at-its-shores-tuvalu-pleads-for-action/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AMH1">{{cite magazine |last=Marantz |first=Andrew |magazine=Harpers |title=A rising tide: Planning the future of a sinking island |date=December 2011 |url=http://harpers.org/archive/2011/12/a-rising-tide/ |access-date=21 March 2015 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316131605/http://harpers.org/archive/2011/12/a-rising-tide/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AMH2">{{cite magazine |last=Marantz |first=Andrew |magazine=The New Yorker |title=The Wages of Cyclone Pam |date=18 March 2015 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-wages-of-cyclone-pam |access-date=21 March 2015 |archive-date=21 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321172631/http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-wages-of-cyclone-pam? |url-status=live}}</ref> A warning system, which uses the [[Iridium satellite constellation|Iridium]] satellite network, was introduced in 2016 to allow outlying islands to be better prepared for natural disasters.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=10 June 2016 |access-date=10 June 2016 |title=Tuvalu to introduce new early warning system |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/306132/tuvalu-to-intoduce-new-early-warning-system |archive-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611140651/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/306132/tuvalu-to-intoduce-new-early-warning-system |url-status=live}}</ref>

The highest elevation is {{convert|4.6|m|ft}} above sea level on [[Niulakita]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Sea level rise: Some implications for Tuvalu |journal=[[The Environmentalist]] |first=James |last=Lewis |volume=9 |issue=4 |date=December 1989 |doi=10.1007/BF02241827 |pages=269–275 |bibcode=1989ThEnv...9..269L |s2cid=84796023}}</ref> Tuvalu thus has the second-lowest maximum elevation of any country (after the [[Maldives]]). The highest elevations are typically in narrow storm dunes on the ocean side of the islands which are prone to overtopping in tropical cyclones, as occurred with [[Cyclone Bebe]], which was a very early-season storm that passed through the Tuvaluan atolls in October 1972.<ref name="BOM1975">Bureau of Meteorology (1975) ''Tropical Cyclones in the Northern Australian Regions 1971–1972'' Australian Government Publishing Service</ref> Cyclone Bebe submerged Funafuti, eliminating 95% of structures on the island, with 6 people lost in the cyclone.<ref name="JRBebe">{{cite web |last=Resture |first=Jane |title=Hurricane Bebe Left 19 People Dead And Thousands Misplaced In Fiji and Tuvalu |publisher=Janeresture.com |date=14 October 2022 |url=https://www.janeresture.com/hurricane-bebe/ |access-date=3 December 2023 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203112934/https://www.janeresture.com/hurricane-bebe/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Sources of drinking water were contaminated as a result of the system's storm surge and the flooding of the sources of fresh water.<ref name="PIM1973-5">{{cite web |last= |first= |work=44(5) Pacific Islands Monthly |title=Life bounces back in the Ellice |date=1 May 1966 |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-336976092/view?sectionId=nla.obj-340950828&partId=nla.obj-337014010#page/n22/mode/1up |access-date=2 October 2021 |archive-date=2 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002103643/https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-336976092/view?sectionId=nla.obj-340950828&partId=nla.obj-337014010#page/n22/mode/1up |url-status=live}}</ref>

George Westbrook, a trader on Funafuti, recorded a cyclone that struck Funafuti on 23–24 December 1883.<ref name="BKE">{{cite journal |last1=McLean |first1=R.F. |last2=Munro |first2=D. |url=http://uspaquatic.library.usp.ac.fj/gsdl/collect/spjnas/index/assoc/HASH0199.dir/doc.pdf |title=Late 19th century Tropical Storms and Hurricanes in Tuvalu |journal=South Pacific Journal of Natural History |volume=11 |year=1991 |pages=213–219 |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410113306/http://uspaquatic.library.usp.ac.fj/gsdl/collect/spjnas/index/assoc/HASH0199.dir/doc.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> A cyclone struck Nukulaelae on 17–18 March 1886.<ref name="BKE"/>
A cyclone caused severe damage to the islands in 1894.<ref name="TAH2">{{cite book |first1=Pasoni |last1=Taafaki |editor-first1=Hugh |editor-last1=Laracy |title=Tuvalu: A History |year=1983 |publisher=Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific and Government of Tuvalu |page=27 |chapter=Chapter 2 – The Old Order}}</ref>

Tuvalu experienced an average of three cyclones per decade between the 1940s and 1970s; however, eight occurred in the 1980s.<ref name="JCon"/> The impact of individual cyclones is subject to variables including the force of the winds and also whether a cyclone coincides with high tides. Funafuti's [[Pukasavilivili|Tepuka Vili Vili]] [[islet]] was devastated by [[Cyclone Meli]] in 1979, with all its vegetation and most of its sand swept away during the cyclone. Along with a [[1989–90 South Pacific cyclone season#Samoa Depression|tropical depression]] that affected the islands a few days later, [[Cyclone Ofa|Severe Tropical Cyclone Ofa]] had a major impact on Tuvalu with most islands reporting damage to vegetation and crops.<ref name="STD">{{cite report |author=Koop, Neville L |others=Fiji Meteorological Service |issue=1 |volume=35 |oclc=648466886 |type=Mariners Weather Log |date=Winter 1991 |publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Oceanographic Data Service |issn=0025-3367 |page=53 |editor=DeAngellis, Richard M |title=Samoa Depression}}</ref><ref name="Tuv Disaster">{{cite report |publisher=Australian Overseas Disaster Response Organisation |isbn=1875405054 |pages=2–3, 6 |date=April 1992 |url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/JB-DM_148_TUV_1991_disaster_workshop_report.pdf |title=Report on the disaster preparedness workshop held in Funafuti, Tuvalu, 14 – 17 October, 1991 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231448/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/JB-DM_148_TUV_1991_disaster_workshop_report.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> [[Cyclone Gavin]] was first identified during 2 March 1997, and was the first of three tropical cyclones to affect Tuvalu during the 1996–97 cyclone season, with Cyclones [[Cyclone Hina|Hina]] and [[Cyclone Keli|Keli]] following later in the season.

In March 2015, the winds and storm surge created by [[Cyclone Pam]] resulted in waves of {{convert|3|to|5|m|ft}} breaking over the reef of the outer islands, causing damage to houses, crops and infrastructure.<ref name="TuvaluReport">{{cite report |work=International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |publisher=ReliefWeb |date=16 March 2015 |access-date=17 March 2015 |title=Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) Tuvalu: Tropical Cyclone Pam |url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MDRTV001dref.pdf}}</ref><ref name="RNZI19">{{cite web |work=Radio New Zealand International |title=One Tuvalu island evacuated after flooding from Pam |date=18 March 2015 |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268988/one-tuvalu-island-evacuated-after-flooding-from-pam |access-date=18 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170600/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268988/one-tuvalu-island-evacuated-after-flooding-from-pam |url-status=live}}</ref> A state of emergency was declared. On Nui, the sources of fresh water were destroyed or contaminated.<ref name="SBS15">{{cite web |work=SBS Australia |title=Flooding in Vanuatu, Kiribati and Tuvalu as Cyclone Pam strengthens |date=13 March 2015 |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/03/13/flooding-vanuatu-kiribati-and-tuvalu-cyclone-pam-strengthens |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803054033/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/03/13/flooding-vanuatu-kiribati-and-tuvalu-cyclone-pam-strengthens |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RNZI14">{{cite web |work=Radio New Zealand International |title=State of emergency in Tuvalu |date=14 March 2015 |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268612/state-of-emergency-in-tuvalu |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316020244/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268612/state-of-emergency-in-tuvalu |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RNZI15">{{cite web |work=Radio New Zealand International |title=45 percent of Tuvalu population displaced – PM |date=15 March 2015 |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268686/45-percent-of-tuvalu-population-displaced-pm |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316045804/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268686/45-percent-of-tuvalu-population-displaced-pm |url-status=live}}</ref> The flooding in Nui and Nukufetau caused many families to shelter in evacuation centres or with other families.<ref name=RW22>{{cite web |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/tuvalu/tuvalu-tropical-cyclone-pam-situation-report-no-1-22-march-2015 |title=Tuvalu: Tropical Cyclone Pam Situation Report No. 1 (as of 22 March 2015) |date=22 March 2015 |publisher=Relief Web |access-date=25 March 2015 |archive-date=27 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327212850/http://reliefweb.int/report/tuvalu/tuvalu-tropical-cyclone-pam-situation-report-no-1-22-march-2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nui suffered the most damage of the three central islands (Nui, Nukufetau and Vaitupu);<ref name="UNDP2">{{cite web |work=United Nations Development Programme |title=Forgotten paradise under water |date=1 May 2015 |url=https://undp.exposure.co/forgotten-paradise-under-water |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=9 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609023832/https://undp.exposure.co/forgotten-paradise-under-water |url-status=live}}</ref> with both Nui and Nukufetau suffering the loss of 90% of the crops.<ref name=RW30>{{cite web |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/tuvalu/tuvalu-tropical-cyclone-pam-situation-report-no-2-30-march-2015 |title=Tuvalu: Tropical Cyclone Pam Situation Report No. 2 (as of 30 March 2015) |date=30 March 2015 |publisher=Relief Web |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-date=8 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708082413/http://reliefweb.int/report/tuvalu/tuvalu-tropical-cyclone-pam-situation-report-no-2-30-march-2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Of the three northern islands (Nanumanga, Niutao and Nanumea), Nanumanga suffered the most damage, with from 60 to 100 houses flooded, with the waves also causing damage to the health facility.<ref name=RW30/> [[Vasafua]] islet, part of the [[Funafuti Conservation Area]], was severely damaged by Cyclone Pam. The coconut palms were washed away, leaving the islet as a sand bar.<ref name="VIV">{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=David |work=Tuvalu-odyssey.net |title=Vasafua Islet vanishes |date=4 July 2015 |url=http://www.tuvalu-odyssey.net/vasafua-islet-vanishes/ |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722081428/http://www.tuvalu-odyssey.net/vasafua-islet-vanishes/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TO13">{{cite web |last=Endou |first=Shuuichi |work=Tuvalu Overview (Japanese) |title=バサフア島、消失・・・(Vasafua Islet vanishes) |date=28 March 2015 |url=http://www.tuvalu-overview.tv/blog/news/3253/ |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-date=23 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523180705/http://www.tuvalu-overview.tv/blog/news/3253/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Tuvalu Government carried out assessments of the damage caused by Cyclone Pam to the islands and has provided medical aid, food as well as assistance for the cleaning-up of storm debris. Government and Non-Government Organisations provided assistance technical, funding and material support to Tuvalu to assist with recovery, including [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office|UNICEF EAPRO]], [[Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme|UNDP Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme]], [[United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|OCHA]], [[World Bank]], [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|DFAT]], [[New Zealand Red Cross]] & [[International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|IFRC]], [[Fiji National University]] and governments of New Zealand, Netherlands, UAE, Taiwan and the United States.<ref name=WHO04>{{cite web |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/tuvalu/tuvalu-situation-update-3-april-2015 |title=Tuvalu situation update: Securing health from disastrous impacts of cyclone Pam in Tuvalu |date=3 April 2015 |publisher=Relief Web/World health Organisation – Western Pacific Region |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608124717/http://reliefweb.int/report/tuvalu/tuvalu-situation-update-3-april-2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite passing over {{convert|500|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the south of the island nation, [[Cyclone Tino]] and its associated convergence zone impacted the whole of Tuvalu between January 16&nbsp;- 19 of 2020.<ref name="Tuvalu SWB 1">{{cite report |title=Special Weather Bulletin Number 1 for Tuvalu January 16, 2020 10z |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=January 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Swept">{{cite news |title="It swept right over": Tuvalu inundated by waves whipped up by Cyclone Tino |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/407611/it-swept-right-over-tuvalu-inundated-by-waves-whipped-up-by-cyclone-tino |access-date=February 8, 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=January 20, 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109134711/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/407611/it-swept-right-over-tuvalu-inundated-by-waves-whipped-up-by-cyclone-tino |url-status=live}}</ref>

====King tides====
Tuvalu is also affected by [[perigean spring tide]] events which raise the sea level higher than a normal [[high tide]].<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Shukman |title=Tuvalu struggles to hold back tide |date=22 January 2008 |work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7203313.stm |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305222814/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7203313.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> The highest peak tide recorded by the [[Tuvalu Meteorological Service]] is {{convert|3.4|m|ft}}, on 24 February 2006 and again on 19 February 2015.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=24 February 2015 |access-date=17 March 2015 |title=Tuvalu surveys road damage after king tides |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/266995/tuvalu-surveys-road-damage-after-king-tides |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095045/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/266995/tuvalu-surveys-road-damage-after-king-tides |url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the historical sea level rise, the [[king tide]] events lead to flooding of low-lying areas, which is compounded when sea levels are further raised by [[La Niña]] effects or local storms and waves.<ref>{{cite web |last=Packard |first=Aaron |title=The Unfolding Crisis in Kiribati and the Urgency of Response |publisher=HuffPostGreen |date=12 March 2015 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aaron-packard/the-unfolding-crisis-in-kiribati-and-the-urgency-of-response_b_6854386.html |access-date=14 March 2015 |archive-date=13 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313221905/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aaron-packard/the-unfolding-crisis-in-kiribati-and-the-urgency-of-response_b_6854386.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PDV-24-2-15">{{cite news |last1=Eliuta |first1=Niuone |title=Science says Tuvalu will drown within decades; the reality is worse |url=https://devpolicy.org/science-says-tuvalu-will-drown-within-decades-the-reality-is-worse-20240215/ |access-date=15 February 2024 |work=PolicyDevBlog |date=15 February 2024 |archive-date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215005444/https://devpolicy.org/science-says-tuvalu-will-drown-within-decades-the-reality-is-worse-20240215/ |url-status=live}}</ref>