page_title: Cyclone Olaf
hierarchical_section_title: Cyclone Olaf
caption_attribution_description: Cyclone Olaf strengthens in the South Pacific in this Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from February 16, 2005. As of the afternoon of February 15, Olaf was approaching Category 5 status, with sustained winds of 135 knots and gusts up to 165 knots. Its maximum sustained wind speed at the time of this image capture was 140 knots (1-minute average). According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, waves were estimated to be as high as 47 feet.
context_page_description: Cyclone Olaf was the sixth cyclone to form in the Southwest Pacific Ocean during the 2004–05 South Pacific cyclone season. Olaf was also one of three simultaneous cyclones to form during the 2004–05 season, forming 21 hours after Cyclone Nancy formed to the east. A powerful Category 5 cyclone, Olaf stuck American Samoa causing heavy damage although exact estimates are unknown. Despite the damage, there were no reported deaths or injuries from the cyclone. Olaf was third South Pacific cyclone to hit the Cook Islands during the 2004–05 season, and Cyclone Percy would later affect the already devastated archipelago less than 2 weeks later.
context_section_description: Cyclone Olaf was the sixth cyclone to form in the Southwest Pacific Ocean during the 2004–05 South Pacific cyclone season. Olaf was also one of three simultaneous cyclones to form during the 2004–05 season, forming 21 hours after Cyclone Nancy formed to the east. A powerful Category 5 cyclone, Olaf stuck American Samoa causing heavy damage although exact estimates are unknown. Despite the damage, there were no reported deaths or injuries from the cyclone. Olaf was third South Pacific cyclone to hit the Cook Islands during the 2004–05 season (the other two being Meena and Nancy), and Cyclone Percy would later affect the already devastated archipelago less than 2 weeks later.
caption: Cyclone Olaf near peak intensity
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