Tropical Cyclone Judy - Feb 2023

Tropical cyclone JUDY passed over northern and central Vanuatu, approximately 7 km east to the Capital City Port Vila (Shefa Province, central Vanuatu) in the afternoon and evening (UTC) on 28 February with maximum sustained winds up to 157 km/h (Tropical Cyclone). On 1 March at 6.00 (UTC) its centre was located approximately over the Tanna Island (Tafea Province, southern Vanuatu), with maximum sustained winds up to 165 km/h. (ECHO, 1 Mar 2023)

According to the first estimate, 100% of the population have been affected with wind below 80 km/h and about 50% with wind between 80 to 200 km/h. The main affected provinces are Shefa and Tafea. The damages are severe to extreme, and a second potential Category 3 cyclone is expected in the next 1 to 2 days. Up to 50,000 children may be affected. UNICEF Vanuatu Field Office also predicts that some schools will be affected, although all remain closed for the time being. Staff are ready to be deployed where necessary, emergency pre-positioned supplies are ready to be delivered to assist over 20,000 people. (UNICEF, 2 Mar 2023)

On the morning of 2 March (local time) the centre of tropical cyclone JUDY was about 245km south-east of Tanna and 150km south-east of Aneityum. JUDY's destructive winds uprooted trees and some people were evacuated. Damage assessments are ongoing in Port Vila and Vanuatu's northern islands while another storm is forecast to be on its way. Media reports, as of 2 March, around 500 evacuated people in some evacuation centres across the Capital City Port Vila and a number of damaged buildings, closed schools and several power outages across the country. There are no reports of deaths or serious injuries in Port Vila caused by cyclone JUDY, however, the islands of Erramango and Tanna were expected to be hit hard. Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and floods were still expected over the northern islands. Some NGOs are coordinating with the government and prepositioning Non Food Items for shelter and cooking materials. In addition, tropical depression 09F (cyclone KEVIN) is forming in the Pacific. The storm is expected to move south-east bringing gale force winds to Vanuatu on 2 March and later to New Caledonia. The Fiji Meteorological Service issued a gale warning. (ECHO, 2 Mar 2023)

An initial assessment of the damage informed by the Vanuatu Disaster Management Office (NDMO) revealed many houses on Epi Island in Shefa Province were destroyed, with some families sheltering under beds and tables in their houses, while passed. There has been extensive damage to houses, churches, crops, and power lines, as well as flooding in low-lying areas. There is currently no confirmed figure as to the extent of damage, though it is estimated that more than 50 per cent of houses are damaged in rural Efate Island while in urban Port-Vila, at least 20 per cent of houses are damaged. Major damage is likely in Shefa –especially Port Vila, and Tafea provinces, especially Tanna Island. At least 64 per cent of the country's population is directly affected by TC Judy Category 3 and TC Kevin Category 4. In Port Vila, five evacuation centres were established and as of 5 March 2023, were occupied by more than 500 people. More people have attended centres since the cyclones passed than sheltered in place during the eventindicating the level of significant shelter damage in the wake of the cyclones. It is still unclear as to the extent of the damage for different sectors. Some initial observations have reported contamination of water sources due to flooding, as well as significant foliage and crop damage due to flooding and strong wind, especially in central Tanna. No fatalities have been reported to date, however, reports of injuries from flying debris and continuing to come in from across the country. It is reported that 22 people have been admitted to a hospital in Port Vila with injuries and the hospital has announced it is currently only accepting emergency patients. (IFRC, 9 Mar 2023)

Tropical cyclones JUDY and KEVIN (both of Cat4 intensity) made landfall over Vanuatu on the 1st and 3rd March. On the 2nd of March, national authorities declared a State of Emergency in the provinces of Mera Lava, Penama, Ambrym, Paama, Shefa and Tafea, which was then extended to the entire country on the 5th of March. Strong winds and substantial amounts of rain caused major floodings, damage to houses and infrastructure, and caused power outages and communication system breakdowns. In addition, earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.6 and 5.4 occurred off the Island of Espiritu Santo in the early morning hours of 3rd March but no major impact was reported. The full extent of damages is not yet known, as initial assessments have only begun, and communication with many of most affected areas remains challenging. The Government of Vanuatu reports that 251,346 people are affected by the cyclones (about 80% of the total population), and 30,000 households. (OCHA, 10 Mar 2023)

As of 13 March, there were 5,156 people (947 families) in 106 evacuation centers in Shefa and Tafaa. The distribution of shelter kits and non-food items in these centres is ongoing. According to the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), 74% of the Arterial Road Network is currently accessible throughout the country. (OCHA, 14 Mar 2023)

As of 16 March, there are 4,293 people in evacuation centres; mainly in Shefa and Tafea provinces. NDMO and the national Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC) have begun with a “first push”, targeting 37,875 households in Priority areas 1 and 2 with food assistance on 15th of March. 66,983 households have been identified as in need. [...] 89% of Arterial Road Network is now accessible, and 81% of Vanuatu Outer Islan Airports are operational for emergency services; 67% of Vanuatu Outer Island Airports are approved for commercial services. (OCHA, 16 Mar 2023)