Deadly Cyclone Enawo batters Madagascar with flooding, damaging winds

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

March 8,2017, 2:30:37PM,EST

 

 Tropical Cyclone Enawo made landfall between Farahalana and Antalaha late on Tuesday morning local time as an intense tropical cyclone.

Enawo packed winds over 225 km/h (140 mph), which are equal to that of a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific oceans.
The cyclone is the strongest to strike Madagascar in 13 years. Tropical Cyclone Gafilo struck similar areas in 2004 resulting in the deaths of 363 people.
At least three people have been killed, and around 500 have been left homeless, according to the Associated Press.

Satellite image of Cyclone Enawo making landfall in northeast Madagascar on Tuesday.

The city of Sambava was pounded by strong winds and heavy rainfall on Tuesday as Enawo made landfall, dropping more than 300 mm (12 inches) of rain and causing flooding.

Trees are lashed by strong winds in Sambava, Madagascar Tuesday, March 7, 2017 as heavy rains and strong winds from a cyclone hit northeast Madagascar, raising concerns about flooding and landslides. Aid workers were on alert as Cyclone Enawo lashed the coastline. The storm was expected to move south through the island nation for several days, affecting the capital of Antananarivo along the way. (AP Photo/Manny Horsford)

Despite weakening, Enawo will continue to bring life-threatening impacts to parts of Madagascar through Thursday.
Heavy rain has already lashed much of central and eastern Madagascar as Enawo turns southward and crosses the interior of the country.

Rainfall over 150 mm (6 inches) has fallen in Toamasina with additional heavy rainfall possible into Thursday.
Similar rainfall amounts are expected farther south across the eastern third of Madagascar through Thursday night as Enawo tracks across the southern half of the country.
Related:
Madagascar Weather Center
Interactive Madagascar weather satellite
Detailed Antananarivo weather forecast
Widespread flooding and power outages are expected, and some communities could be cut off from aid for several weeks.
The long-term impacts of Enawo may be largely positive as rainfall is needed across much of Madagascar due to a significant drought preceding the arrival of the cyclone.
Enawo will depart the southern coast of Madagascar on Friday, bringing an end to any flooding rainfall across the country.