Arrocane Arlene
 Arlene at it's record peak intensity over the Gulf of Ardonia on May 21 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 17, 2019 |
| Extratropical | May 27, 2019 |
| Dissipated | May 30, 2019 |
| Category 5 major arrocane | |
| 1-minute sustained (AAWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 180 mph (290 km/h) (Fastest 1-minute sustained winds ever recorded) |
| Lowest pressure | 899 mbar (hPa); 26.55 inHg (Lowest ever recorded) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 113 total |
| Injuries | 2,500+ |
| Missing | 32 |
| Damage | ≥$24.9 billion (2019 AC) (Preliminary damage results via NAC/NWS Port Kazu) |
| Areas affected |
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| Part of the 2019 Ardonia arrocane season | |
Arrocane Arlene was a catastrophic and historic tropical cyclone—the most powerful arrocane ever recorded in the Ardonia basin. Forming in mid-May 2019, the storm became the earliest Category 5 arrocane on record and eventually broke over a dozen all-time records for intensity, windspeed, rainfall, and storm surge. Arlene reached peak sustained winds of 180 mph (290 km/h) and a central pressure of 899 mbar, the strongest and most intense values ever observed in the basin.
Arlene made three destructive landfalls in Cydonia—first in Po'Hatu at Category 5 intensity, then in Meridian as a Category 4, and finally in Port Kazu as a Category 3. The storm caused catastrophic damage and deadly flooding as it stalled over the region. In total, Arlene left 113 people dead, over 2,500 injured, and at least $24.9 billion AC in damages. Due to its historic impact, the name "Arlene" was retired following the season.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (40–74 mph, 64–120 km/h)
Category 1 (75–94 mph, 121–152 km/h)
Category 2 (95–114 mph, 153–184 km/h)
Category 3 (115–129 mph, 185–209 km/h)
Category 4 (130–159 mph, 210–259 km/h)
Category 5 (≥ 160 mph, ≥ 260 km/h)
Unknown
Tropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionArrocane Arlene originated from a broad area of low pressure in the southern Gulf of Ardonia on May 16. Favorable environmental conditions—including abnormally warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear—allowed the disturbance to gradually consolidate. It was declared a tropical depression by the NAC on May 17 and quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Arlene later that day.
| Rank | Arrocane | Season | Pressure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hPa | inHg | |||
| 1 | Arlene | 2019 | 899 | 26.55 |
| 2 | Nine | 1865 | 911 | 26.90 |
| 3 | Seven | 1865 | 929 | 27.43 |
| 4 | Six | 1865 | 951 | 28.08 |
| 5 | Camille | 2019 | 973 | 28.73 |
| 6 | Eight | 1865 | 974 | 28.76 |
| 7 | Ten | 1865 | 985 | 29.09 |
| 8 | Three | 1865 | 986 | 29.12 |
| Four | 1865 | |||
| 10 | Eleven | 1865 | 988 | 29.18 |
| Source: NAC/NWS | ||||
By May 18, Arlene had reached Category 1 intensity and began a period of explosive intensification. Over the next 48 hours, the storm progressed through multiple intensity categories, achieving Category 5 status on May 20 with sustained winds of 180 mph (290 km/h) and a central pressure of 899 mbar—making it the most intense and strongest arrocane ever recorded in the Ardonia basin.
Arlene made its first landfall on May 22 in Po'Hatu, Cydonia as a high-end Category 5 arrocane, with sustained winds of 175 mph and a pressure of 908 mbar. Despite its small size, the island sustained widespread devastation. Hours later, the storm made a second landfall in Meridian at Category 4 strength with winds of 155 mph and a pressure of 931 mbar. Arlene weakened slightly before striking Port Kazu as a Category 3 with 115 mph winds and a pressure of 976 mbar. The storm then stalled over the city as a strong tropical storm, unleashing catastrophic flooding and storm surge across the area.
Arlene retained tropical storm strength for nearly two more days as it drifted inland and across central Cydonia, before weakening and eventually becoming extratropical on May 27. The system finally dissipated over the northern Gulf of Ardonia on May 30.
Preparations
Ahead of Arlene's landfall, the National Arrocane Center (NAC) and NWS Port Kazu issued the highest possible alerts across southern Cydonia, the Trinity Islands, and the eastern Gulf coastline. A basin-wide Level V Arrocane Emergency Declaration was enacted for the first time since 2008. Arrocane watches and warnings were issued up to 72 hours in advance for the entire southeastern quadrant of Ardonia, with special advisories targeting densely populated zones and flood-prone coastal districts.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Trinity Islands, Po’Hatu, Meridian, Crescent Beach, and parts of Blade Island. Over 600,000 residents were urged to relocate inland, and transportation officials temporarily suspended tolls and fare collection on highways, rail systems, and ferry routes to expedite evacuation efforts. Shelters were activated in school buildings, civic centers, and fortified underground bunkers in Sendaria and Kaltaria.
The NAC coordinated with local authorities and the Cydonian Royal Guard to stage relief convoys, distribute sandbags, and position water rescue units in flood-vulnerable areas. Over 3,500 troops were placed on standby under the command of the Southern Response Corps, with assets staged in Fort Braymin and Crown Peak for logistical backup. Naval patrols were deployed along the Gulf of Ardonia to assist with offshore monitoring and early search-and-rescue readiness.
Power companies preemptively shut down vulnerable grid sections along coastal corridors to avoid electrocution hazards, and medical facilities were supplied with emergency fuel for backup generators. The Ardonian Weather Relay (AWR) broadcast continuous live coverage, with multilingual updates issued across all provinces to reach rural and isolated communities.
Local governments also activated pre-arranged agreements with private shipping companies to secure food reserves, emergency medical kits, and mobile field hospitals. In Kaeru and Phaethon, floodgates and sea barriers were reinforced with additional concrete sheeting hours before landfall. These coordinated actions were credited with preventing an even higher death toll, despite the unprecedented strength of Arlene.
Impact
| Rank | Arrocane | Season | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Arlene | 2019 | $158 billion |
| 2 | 1 Camille | 2019 | $16 billion |
| 3 | 4 Nine | 1865 | $10.2 billion |
| 4 | 4 Seven | 1865 | $5.87 billion |
| 5 | 3 Six | 1865 | $1.04 billion |
| 6 | TS One | 1865 | $520 million |
| 7 | TS Three | 1865 | $62 million |
| 8 | 1 Four | 1865 | $15.5 million |
| 9 | TS Two | 1865 | $2.5 million |
| 10 | TS Eleven | 1865 | $250,000 |
Arlene caused catastrophic damage across wide swaths of Ardonia, with its impacts felt from the outer Trinity Islands to the mountainous interior of Cydonia. The worst devastation occurred in southern Cydonia, where entire towns were flattened by extreme winds, storm surge, and flash flooding. Coastal inundation reached unprecedented levels, with surge heights peaking at 50.75 ft in low-lying areas, submerging entire districts of Port Kazu.
Rainfall totals shattered all previous records, with localized measurements of up to 250.59 inches—causing widespread river flooding, landslides, and the total collapse of transportation networks. Along the eastern coast, Kaeru experienced the highest confirmed wave height ever recorded in the basin at 99.3 ft, severely damaging port infrastructure and rendering harbors unusable.
In Po’Hatu, the first point of landfall, most structures were destroyed or swept away, leaving the island nearly uninhabitable. Meridian, struck next, suffered extreme wind damage to high-rise buildings and historical sites, along with widespread loss of communications and utilities. The most prolonged and devastating impact occurred in Port Kazu, where the storm stalled and dropped relentless rainfall over several days. The city’s flood defenses were overwhelmed, resulting in submerged metro systems, collapsed bridges, and large-scale displacement.
In total, Arlene caused at least $24.9 billion AC in damage, making it the costliest arrocane in Ardonian history. The storm killed 113 people and left over 2,500 injured, with 32 individuals still unaccounted for as of the latest reports. Over 350,000 people were displaced from their homes, and thousands required long-term shelter assistance. Blade Island and the Ardidia Cliffs region reported severe erosion and infrastructure collapse due to wave action and ground saturation.
Critical industries across Cydonia—including mining, agriculture, and shipping—sustained long-term disruption. Crop losses in the Phaethon lowlands were described as near-total, raising food security concerns in surrounding provinces. Emergency airlifts were required to reach isolated communities in the Trinity Islands and Crescent Beach, where roads were rendered impassable.
Multiple regional airports, including the main terminal in Meridian, were forced to close due to flooding and wind damage, hampering evacuation and relief logistics. Total insured and uninsured losses are expected to rise in subsequent assessments, with damage reports still being compiled by local NWS offices and NAC field teams.
Aftermath
In the storm’s aftermath, large-scale rescue and recovery operations were mobilized by the National Arrocane Center (NAC), regional governments, and international aid organizations. Emergency supplies were airlifted to the hardest-hit areas, including Po’Hatu and Crescent Beach, which were completely cut off by floodwaters and debris. Dozens of temporary shelters were established across southern Cydonia, where over 350,000 residents had been displaced.
Infrastructure repair efforts began immediately, but progress was hampered by washed-out roads, collapsed bridges, and prolonged power outages. Port Kazu’s metro and power grid were reported to be “non-functional,” while telecommunications remained limited for days across the Ardidia Cliffs and Kaeru. Engineers from across Ardonia were dispatched to assist in restoring electricity and clearing critical highways, with a focus on reestablishing medical and supply routes.
The government of Cydonia declared a state of emergency for the entire southern half of the kingdom, triggering the deployment of national guards and disaster relief reserves. Foreign assistance arrived from nearby kingdoms, including K’arthen and Conchord, delivering food, water, and fuel via both air and sea.
Educational institutions in affected areas were closed indefinitely, with some schools converted into emergency shelters or relief coordination centers. Damage to agricultural regions, especially in the Phaethon lowlands, raised concerns about long-term food supply stability and economic recovery. In total, over 1.2 million residents across Ardonia were estimated to have been directly impacted by the storm’s effects.
The Ardonia Meteorological Organization (AMO) began reviewing the storm’s performance shortly after its dissipation. While official retirement of the name "Arlene" has not yet occurred, the AMO has placed it under active consideration, currently listing the retirement likelihood at 100%. A final decision is expected at the conclusion of the season, following a full post-season analysis and regional consultation.
In the months following Arlene, the NAC and AMO jointly initiated efforts to improve storm surge forecasting, rapid intensification detection, and urban flood response coordination. The event is widely considered one of the most significant in the basin’s history, likely to influence arrocane policy and disaster preparedness for years to come.
Records
| Rank | Arrocane | Season | Windspeed (MPH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Arlene | 2019 | 180 mph (290 km/h) |
| 2 | 5 Nine | 1865 | 165 mph (266 km/h) |
| 3 | 4 Seven | 1865 | 145 mph (233 km/h) |
| 4 | 3 Six | 1865 | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| 5 | 2 Eight | 1865 | 105 mph (169 km/h) |
| 6 | 2 Camille | 2019 | 100 mph (160 km/h) |
| 7 | 1 Four | 1865 | 80 mph (130 km/h) |
| 8 | TS Ten | 1865 | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
| 9 | TS Beryl | 2019 | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| 10 | TS Three | 1865 | 60 mph (97 km/h) |
Arlene broke a total of 15 records in the Ardonian basin, setting new benchmarks in nearly every category of intensity and impact:
- Earliest Category 5 arrocane on record
- Costliest arrocane on record (≥$24.9 billion AC)
- Deadliest arrocane on record (113 confirmed fatalities)
- Strongest sustained winds on record (180 mph)
- Lowest pressure on record (899 mbar)
- First storm to make landfall at Category 5 intensity
- Most intense landfall windspeed (175 mph at Po’Hatu)
- Most intense landfall pressure (908 mbar)
- First A-named storm to reach tropical storm strength
- Highest recorded storm surge (50.75 ft)
- Most rainfall dropped by a single storm (250.59 inches)
- Highest confirmed wave height (99.3 ft)
- Longest duration of Category 5 intensity (30 hours)
- Smallest observed eye diameter (4.4 mi)
- Fastest intensification: 70 mph increase and 69 mbar drop in 24 hours