Tropical Cyclone 03B raked across southeast India’s Andhra Pradesh state early on December 16, 2003. The storm brought 75 mile per hour winds, heavy rains, and cool temperatures, all of which forced nearly 20,000 people to flee their homes. As of December 17, 2003, officials had reported nine cyclone-related deaths, but media reports gave much higher figures. The storm destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and devastated crops. It was the first cyclone to hit the state in the last 18 years.