The numbers of tropical cyclones affecting Samoa varies considerably from year to year. In some seasons there have been no cyclones close to Samoa whereas in the 1980/81 and 2004/05 seasons five cyclones past within 400 km of Apia. On occasion an intense cyclone passes over the Samoan islands causing significant wind damage and severe river and coastal flooding. A number of lives have been lost and the cost to the economy has been large, as much as four times the national GDP.
Our study examines the climatology of tropical cyclones in the Samoan region, trends in total and intense cyclones and the relationship with El Niño-Southern Oscillation, in order to examine community vulnerability. In addition we present and compare the impacts of the most damaging cyclones in recent years which are Ofa, Val and Evan.
Once vulnerability has been established, adaptation options including traditional coping mechanisms can be determined. This is especially important considering most models project an increase in the proportion of the most severe cyclones over the course of the 21st century in the south-east Pacific Ocean basin.