Tropical Cyclone Freddy was a long-lived tropical system that traversed the Indian Ocean and seriously impacted Madagascar, Mozambique and parts of southeast Africa with intense rain and flooding.

After making landfall in Mozambique as a Category 3 storm in late February, Freddy dumped rain on Madagascar along with damaging storm surge and winds upwards of 110 mph. At least seven deaths have been attributed to Freddy in Madagascar.

After impacting Madagascar, Freddy downgraded to a tropical storm and hit Mozambique on Feb. 24, bringing wind speeds of 50 mph and torrential rain and flooding. Mozambique and Zimbabwe reported a widespread 10 to 20 inches of rain.

Cyclone Freddy weakened on February 24th but later strengthened after emerging over the Mozambique Channel, and slammed Madagascar again on March 6, killing four and bringing the death toll to 21.

On March 11th, Freddy made its final landfall (third in total) in Mozambique with sustained winds of 90 mph. Freddy brought devastating floods as heavy rains and storm surge came ashore. Over 500 deaths across Mozambique and Malawi have been attributed to Freddy’s third landfall, with Malawi’s death toll totaling at 447, with over 400,000 displaced persons.

Freddy broke several records during the 5,000 mile path it traveled over the Indian Ocean. Freddy holds the all-time world record for sustained strength over time, generating over 85 units of accumulated cyclone energy. Freddy is also tentatively the longest-lasting tropical in recorded history, lasting for 34 days.