1972–73 South Pacific cyclone season

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	October 19 – October 28
Peak intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min); 945 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Bebe was a pre-season storm that impacted the Gilbert, Ellice, and Fiji island groups.[1] First spotted on October 20, the system intensified and grew in size through October 22. Its course began along a south-southwest trajectory before recurving near the 14th parallel south, which resulted in a south-southeast motion through the western portion of the Fiji island group.[1] It became the first cyclone to impact Fiji since 1952. On October 24, winds of 150 knots (280 km/h) or more were reported on Rotuma and Viti Levu. Cyclone Bebe passed through Funafuti on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22 October 1972. At about 4 p.m. on the 21st, sea water was bubbling through the coral on the airfield with the water reaching a height of about 4 –5 feet high. The Ellice Islands Colony's ship Moanaraoi was in the lagoon and survived, however 3 tuna boats were wrecked. Waves broke over the atoll. Five people died, two adults and a 3 month old child were swept away by waves, and two sailors from the tuna boats were drowned.[2] Cyclone Bebe knocked down 90% of the houses and trees. The storm surge created a wall of coral rubble along the ocean side of Funafuti and Funafala that was about ten to twelve miles long, and about ten to twenty feet thick at the bottom.[2] The cyclone submerged Funafuti and sources of drinking water were contaminated as a result of the system's storm surge and fresh water flooding. After passing by the archipelago, Bebe transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, with the remnants last noted on October 28.[1] A total of 28 people died and thousands were left homeless. Damages totaled $20 million (1972 USD).[3]

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	November 2 – November 3
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

Collette existed from November 2 to November 3.

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	December 8 – December 18
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min); 965 hPa (mbar)

Diana existed from December 6 to December 18.

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 14 – January 18
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

Felicity existed from January 14 to January 18.

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 31 – February 7
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min); 980 hPa (mbar)

Elenore existed from January 31 to February 7.

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 31 – February 1
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

Glenda existed from January 31 to February 1.

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	April 2 – April 6
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min); 980 hPa (mbar)

Juliette existed from April 2 to April 6.