Severe Tropical Cyclone Heta was a Category 5 tropical cyclone that caused moderate damage to the islands of Tonga, Niue, and American Samoa during late December 2003 and early January 2004. Heta formed on December 25, 2003; it reached a maximum intensity of 260 km/h (160 mph) and an estimated pressure of 915 hPa before dissipating on January 11, 2004. It was the first named tropical cyclone to form during the 2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season.
Cyclone Heta at peak intensity
Wind damage in the American Samoa.
Residents cleaning up after the storm.
Niue is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. It is situated in the South Pacific Ocean and is part of Polynesia, and predominantly inhabited by Polynesians. The island is commonly referred to as "The Rock", which comes from the traditional name "Rock of Polynesia".
A 1932 stamp of Niue inscribed "Cook Islands Niue".
Prime Minister of New Zealand Richard Seddon and the King of Niue, c. 1900
Satellite image of Niue in the Pacific Ocean
Coral chasm