Tropical cyclone Izilda off East Africa
March 26, 2009
Tropical cyclone Izilda struck Madagascar at about 06:00 GMT on 26 March. Data supplied by the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Center suggest that the point of landfall was near 23.7 S, 43.3 E. Izilda brought 1-minute maximum sustained winds to the region of around 120 km/h (74 mph). Wind gusts in the area may have been considerably higher.
According to the Saffir-Simpson damage scale the potential property damage and flooding from a storm of Izilda’s strength (category 1) at landfall includes:
- Storm surge generally 1.2-1.5 metres (4-5 feet) above normal.
- No real damage to building structures.
- Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees.
- Some damage to poorly constructed signs.
- Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
There is also the potential for flooding further inland due to heavy rain.
