Cyclone Wasa–Arthur

Severe Tropical Cyclone Wasa‑Arthur was the first major tropical cyclone to affect French Polynesia, including Tahiti, since the 1982–83 South Pacific cyclone season. The system was first noted on 3 December 1991 as a shallow tropical depression embedded within the monsoon trough, to the north of Rarotonga. Over the next couple of days the system gradually developed further, before it was classified as a tropical cyclone and named Wasa on 5 December. The following day, as it performed a small clockwise loop, the system strengthened further and acquired hurricane-force winds. After completing the loop, Wasa moved southwards before it peaked in intensity during 8 December, with sustained wind speeds of 165 km/h (105 mph). Over the next few days the system started to weaken as it passed through the Society Islands, and became the first major tropical cyclone to affect French Polynesia since 1983.

During 12 December, Wasa passed through the French Polynesian Austral Islands and passed directly over Tubuai, before it degenerated into a tropical depression later that day. However, gale-force winds remained associated with the depression, before the system turned towards the east-northeast and entered into warmer waters near the Tuamotu Islands. On 14 December, Wasa regenerated into a tropical depression and was renamed Arthur. During that day, the system gradually intensified before it reached its secondary peak intensity with sustained wind speeds of 95 km/h (60 mph). The following day, the system maintained its peak intensity, as it moved through the uninhabited Acteon Group, before it started gradually weaken the next day. Arthur degenerated into a shallow depression during 17 December, before it was last noted during the next day as it dissipated to the north of the Pitcairn Islands.

Tourists on Bora Bora were evacuated to a local church, after Wasa‑Arthur had swept high seas into tourist bungalows. Overall the system caused an estimated US$60 million in damage within French Polynesia, with the majority of the damage done between 9 and 12 December. The cyclone destroyed and damaged several homes; a variety of crops; and damaged several public buildings, hotels, roads and power installations. On Rurutu, Moerai's harbour was destroyed by a cyclonic swell from the system, while the local school and police station were destroyed by high waves. Two people were killed when torrential rainfall from the cyclone caused a mudslide in Moorea, the day after Wasa had made its closest approach to the island. The Government of France incurred costs of about FF68 million including FF53 million for the efforts of the French military. The Government of French Polynesia subsequently borrowed FF55 million and built up a fund from local banks of about FF1.5 billion, to help with the reconstruction. The name Wasa was later retired from the South Pacific basin's lists of tropical cyclone names by the World Meteorological Organization.