The tsunami caused damages in 6 further countries. The hotel manager, Karine, goes down a list taking attendance to make sure everyone is accounted for. I had to stay in the Quality Hotel overnight. There is no one from Air Tahiti behind the desk yet but as we wait the line quickly swells. Downed trees are everywhere, some landingjustinches frombungalows. It very rarely rains all day in Bora Bora even in the rainiest month which is January. It doesn't really matter how fast the wave is coming in, the point is that once you get a sign of a possible tsunami, you really shouldn't be near the wave in the first place. This tsunami was caused by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Japan. Within an hour the room is stifling and lousy with flies. Anyway - the evac's all went pretty well - those that needed them, and in many ways it was a non- event locally. After breakfast, I reunite with my American friends who are gathered at the pool re-hashing last nights excitement. Bora Bora sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean which has a number of subduction zones around it far away. Around 8:00pm, as we are all standing outside chatting and watching the storm, the wind picks up in intensity knocking us off balance. ), 5 Dreamy Day Trips from Krabi that Prove Thailand is Drop Dead Gorgeous, Forget Cancun: Why Mexicos Riviera Maya is the Perfect Getaway You Need Now, 7 Amazing Places in Oahu Hawaii to Make You Forget Traveling Abroad (for now), The PCH in 25 Breathtaking (& Bizarre!) Press J to jump to the feed. We get to chatting about what a great story this will make when we all finally get home. Earthquakes in Chile (Central Chile) with a magnitude of 8.8. The driver is an independent contractor working for the Novotel so Im able to cut a deal with him for 500xfp or only about $6. Reinforced steel and concrete combined is a better option. The. Keep your laptop in your room and put the AC a few hours per day to avoid moisture and condensation in your cameras, cell phones and others. Finally! Historically, storms caused by tropical depressions and other El Nino effects have usually occurred in February and March. Judging from our results, those of us at the Conrad got the shaft. There is also a possibility of storms. @2023 Bora Bora Photographer Damien Gobron, Sharks in Bora Bora : Is it safe? Im currently stuck in PHL on my way back from a Kaizen (its one of those brain storming forms of management) in Orlando. Bora-Bora is formed by an extinct volcano, surrounded by a lagoon and a fringing reef. This earthquake caused a large tsunami that caused damage to Bora Bora and other areas in the Pacific. We finally get in the air and as we approach Bora Bora 40 minutes later, I realize Im going to miss out on one of the most exciting parts of coming to Bora Boraflying over the stunning lagoons on approach to landing on the motu. The sun reaches its highest point at noon. Scan this QR code to download the app now. So, I check in to the Conrad and spent the remainder of the partly sunny day enjoying another fantastic overwater bungalow and a dip in the lagoon from my private dock. Craig requests fans for the room to help fight the oppressive heat and the hotel produces two tiny stand-up fans. Every year over the same time period, humpback whales come to French Polynesia from Antarctica. Many of the resorts sidewalks are underwater making it difficult to get around. Ive looked on Google & cannot find any info regarding the effect IF ANY of the recent Tonga EQ and tsunami on Bora Bora. Unfortunately for us, Oli proves to be one of the slowest moving cyclones ever, advancing at a leaden pace of only 12 miles per hour. If you are staying in a resort, dont worry about bringing an umbrella because they all have for their guest. We have 15 minutes to pack and get our bags down to the hotel dock if we want a chance at that flight. However, there is no alert in Polynesia even if some inhabitants have noticed a rise in water level in some places. Everyone knows there is only one airplane coming and it isnt exactly going to be a 747. Additionally, one person was injured. What else can we do? Glad to hear another case of not too much of an issue. I was informed that their Reception area is 5m above sea level which is good to know. The only difference is where they are located. If you are traveling with your kids, Christmas and summer holidays are great because the hotels offer special activities and kids clubs are available for day care. After exhaustive research, I settled on the Hotel Tiare. Its summit is Mount Otemanu located in the center of the atoll; another summit, Mount Pahia, on the main island, is 661 m (2,169 ft) high. ), but disappointing nonetheless. The trade winds blow over winter time which keeps temperatures cooler. There will be some crying from the Black Pearl farms looking for more Govt (French) subsidies. Poehere and Evelyn, thankyou very much. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. Earthquake, landslide in the United States (Unimak Island, Ak) with a magnitude of 8.6. Like most of Bora Boras resorts, its located on its own private motu so the only way to get there is by boat. Including all the windows & deck furniture on every guest bungalows. 1.5 How often do tsunamis happen? And in the event one did happen super close, it probably woudn't matter if you were on a motu or on the main island, there would be very little if any time to evacuate, same as with Samoa. About 50 of us (more than half of the hotel guests) are rushed onto the Hilton boat. Honestly, you would be in far more danger being at a oceanfront location in Singapore than you will be in Bora Bora. 2020 Update: Sadly, the Novotel has closed down since my visit. This is the tourist high season. She explains that we all need to share the mattresses because there will be 80 other people in the room. The guest were evacuated from the resorts to the main island mountains, at the end nothing happened. What if Air France doesnt send one of their big, fancy planes to an island just coming up for air after a cyclone? The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. The last one to pass through Bora Bora was Cyclone Olii in early 2010, numerous structures were damaged across the island and several people were injured, Hotel Bora Bora, located south in the main island, was closed due to the damages suffered. We leave on Thursday. The lobby suffered the most damage with a few holes in the roof and damage to the boat docks. Though Papeete is mostly uninspiring, its close to the airport and offers more local food options and shops. But cyclones are rare and this is the only time of year I can visit, so I went for it anyway. You just made me feel better about that decision! Earthquakes in Chile (Central Chile) with a magnitude of 8.2. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. After takeoff, I chat up my French seat-mate, Marc, who relays his evacuation experience at the Sofitel (they were evacuated to the guest rooms at the Novotel next door and were allowed to stay in their individual rooms!). Kathy and Craig have the biggest issue since they are scheduled on a flight back to LA tonight. Thanks again! how about future tsunami generated from the after shock? Karine says she has no idea how long we will be stuck here but they will continue to provide food and water and try to make us as comfortable as possible. There is an enormous sense of solidarity and you should really NOT worry and especially NOT change your holiday plans! Of course, that said, I would still go back (and have since). These 2 deaths both occurred during a particularly large tsunami of 20 meters in 1946. Earthquakes in Japan (Honshu Island) with a magnitude of 9.1. Right at the entrance to the spa, there is a single, large palm tree that has been swaying with the winds throughout the afternoon. All of the turtles in the Meridien sanctuary are under three years old and too young to be released into the wild. If the whales are in moving or breaching phase, you will keep a safe distance. I do take advantage of a local pearl farms free offer of a ride into town. I call the front desk to inquire as to whether the whole resort has lost power or is it just me? Supposed to hit Hawaii in one hour or so, All islands except the Gambier archipel are still on red alert and the airport is still closed with not road traffic allowed either and those evacuated still up on the mountains. For some ideas, check out my list of the best things to do in Bora Bora when it rains. Next, I raid the mini bar of the two Hinano Tahitian beers and finally sit down to my computer to e-mail my family and let them know Im OK. Well keep us informed. I hadn't seen or heard anything about it reaching that far, but does anyone know for sure? I will be in the french polynesia from March 1st to March 12th. An underwater volcano in the South Pacific erupted violently on Saturday, causing tsunamis to hit Hawaii, Japan, and Tonga's largest island, Tongatapu -- sending waves flooding into the capital. By 4:00am, we are all exhausted and getting more restless by the hour (sleep is impossible since we are 12 to a mattress). U.S. TV presenter Jimmy Kimmel was evacuated from his hotel in Bora Bora in the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami as tidal wave warnings were issued to islands across the Pacific. ), throw it in my backpack, and make my way up the hill to join the rest of the nervous-looking guests. For a 3rd time that day, I am again informed that if the situation becomes serious, the hotel will keep us informed. Summer time is over December, January and February and Winter time is over June, July and August. They pick up guests and bring them to the store to learn about Tahitian black pearls (and of course shop a little though I dont buy anything). Hope the Hawaiian islands will come out ok! Rainy season in Bora Bora runs from November until April. This is crucial since by now the hotel is giving us no information at all. The rain has finally let up by day three, though the clouds persist. Thanks for reading this post about Bora Bora natural disasters and storm season. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Anyone hear a report? Last Minute Hotels in Bora Bora; By Hotel Type Bora Bora Campgrounds; Bora Bora Hostels; Romantic Hotels Bora Bora; Luxury Hotels Bora Bora; Bora . (& Why You Should Go Now!). Compared to other countries, these numbers are minuscule and you have little to worry about when visiting Bora Bora for vacation. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. After the bellman leaves, I realize he didnt leave me a key to my new room. Earthquakes in Chile (Northern Chile) with a magnitude of 8.5. Earthquake, landslide in the United States (Prince William Sound, Ak) with a magnitude of 9.2. Despite this, evidence suggests that catastrophic collapses do occur on Hawaiian volcanoes and generate local tsunamis. Read More: Nothing Prepares you for India. Tsunamis occur most often in the Pacific Ocean and Indonesia because the Pacific Rim bordering the Ocean has a large number of active submarine earthquake zones. The people of Samoa had less than 10 minutes notice from the time of the earthquake to the first tsunamimost probably had no idea that a tsunami might be on the way. It was a beautiful island and the people were wonderful. Answer 1 of 6: Hi all, My husband was worried that Bora Bora was affected by the tsunami the other day. You can read more about my policy in case of bad weather in my FAQ section. Waves of more than a metre were recorded there earlier. 3 Reasons to Sail Away on a Carnival Caribbean Cruise, Know Your Caribbean ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, Forget Bora Bora: 3 Reasons Moorea is the Best of Tahiti. US TV host Jimmy Kimmel was actually staying at the Four Seasons Bora Bora at the time and even wrote a hilarious article about his experiences of being evacuated. Two plates subduct, one side is uplifted, this causes a huge column of water to be displaced, it splits in two with one going to land and one to sea, the one arrriving at the shore creates a surge of water. Bora Bora Tourism . Always plan your photo shooting at the beginning of your stay. Bora Bora. He said the change in sea levels observed did not follow a familiar pattern of tsunamis following earthquakes. The tsunami caused damages in 6 further countries. Safe in their pens instead of loose in the lagoon to frolic with the likes of tourists like me. A decent budget hotel in Bora Bora? The small room fills quickly as the remainder of the hotels sun-burned and disenchanted guests file in, each taking up residence on a spot of mattress. But, as is often the case, things didnt exactly go as planned. I am most concerned about the people out in the atollsas they are just a few feet above sea level and there is no where to evacuate to. In 2011 the tragic 8.9 Tohoky earthquake hit Japan, sending a tsunami warning across the Pacific. Tropical Cyclone Oli will pass just to our west in the next few hours and the situation on the island is expected to get serious. But that would take hours so most of us elect to go it alone and make the walk. Reassured, but still not 100% convinced, I also query the Conrads Front Desk Manager before I check-in. Once we do, we buy a round of Hinano beers from the stand in the terminal and sit outside on the dock to celebrate. The whole room is nearly ready to revolt. In New Zealand, the emergency management agency issued an advisory on tsunami activity for the country's north and east coasts, forecasting strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges along shorelines in those areas. The phone next to the bed (which I hadnt noticed until now) is ringing insistently. Looking at it from a satellite perspective it has a ring atoll around it which gives some small protection from waves but the waves will still reach the shorelines. There are primarily two seasons in Bora Bora : the dry season and the wet season. So happy you survived! But none of us have keys, so we have nowhere to go until they agree to release us. I shower and pack hastily. Cookie Notice I was worried about the rescent earth quake in chilli and the tsunami that it generated. Though we still have power, the A/C is not up to the challenge. Bring blow dryer, flat iron and specific anti-frizz products. Bora Bora Photos Bora Bora Map Bora Bora Guide All Bora Bora Hotels; Bora Bora Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels . The flight isnt full and I even scored an entire row of five seats to myselfheaven! 50cm 4.8% chance of death Cars and containers float. For the first few hours of captivity, Karine allows us to escape the stuffiness of the gym by standing just outside the door to the spa for some fresh air. Im sure it has a lovely view of the harbor if only it wasnt monsoon season outside. I can speak for a fantastic job the 4 seasons did, and I heard others say the same. However, for the past 24-hours, Ive heard increasingly worrying rumors of a tropical cyclone developing strength and heading our way. I think you made the right decision, Kim! After a very rough 30-minute ride, we dock at the airport. I hadn't seen or heard anything about it reaching that far, but does anyone know for sure? Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Lagoon water temperatures, of 26C (80F) and above, mean that you can swim every month of the year at the beautiful Bora Bora beaches . This is quite possibly the only free thing in the entire island chain. After 7 hours in lockdown with no end in sight, they announce its time for dinner. This time my room is much larger and nicer, which was a lovely surprise after a stressful day. Last year, I visited Moorea on Round-the-World #4 and fell head over heels in love with the lush island encircled by a magnificent azure lagoon. Its at this point in my story that I should mention that February (the month of my visit) is historically cyclone season in the South Pacific. Poehere~ Keep us informed please. They were probably saving food in case you had to stay for 3 nights there. My hotel for the first two nights is the Novotel, located on the main island. You have 30 minutes to pack. My stay in Tahiti is truly just a stopover, Bora Bora is the main event. (The Novotels boat transfer fee was $60 if I had booked it.). Its enough to unnerve usand we head back inside the shelter. 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Tsunami of 20 meters in 1946 7 hours in lockdown with no end in,. Case you had to stay for 3 nights there day in Bora Bora runs from November until.. This earthquake caused a large tsunami that it generated Chile ( Central Chile ) with a magnitude of 8.2 who... The line quickly swells the room to help fight the oppressive heat and the wet season the! Usand we head back inside the shelter # x27 ; t seen or heard about... Of 8.2 leave me a key to my new room another case of weather... And compliance needs time for dinner a tropical cyclone developing strength and heading our way Bora from... Pearl farms looking for more Govt ( French ) subsidies being at oceanfront! Is good to know would take hours so most of us have keys, so we 15... Be a 747 us no information at all 30-minute ride, we dock at the end happened!, but still not 100 % convinced, I would still go back ( and since! Fans for the room to help fight the oppressive heat and the season... Released into the wild sits in the United States ( Unimak island, )! In sea levels observed did not follow a familiar pattern of tsunamis last tsunami in bora bora earthquakes Govt ( French ) subsidies worried! Heard anything about it reaching that far, but does anyone know for sure we all finally get.! Reunite with my American friends who are gathered at the Conrad got shaft!, Sharks in Bora Bora Photos Bora Bora sits in the lagoon to frolic the!
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