Assessing the damage

Tropical Cyclone Harold made catastrophic landfall as a Category 5 in Vanuatu. A life-threatening storm surge and wind gusts of over 300 kph have been reported at Espiritu Santo, the island of Pentecost and other islands across Vanuatu.

The Category 5 storm had devastated entire villages, many of which are expected to require international aid.

“Thousands of people have lost their homes. There’s extensive, extensive damage,” Julian Bluett, a Brisbane-raised Luganville resident, told AAP.

“You can go to any quarter of Luganville and you can see at least half of the homes have been destroyed. In one case, there’s a foundation of the house, all the things are there, and none of the house.”

Amid the devastation, there are no reports of loss of life, but the people affected by tropical cyclone Harold will need help to rebuild their lives, homes, and communities.

Locals and relief agencies will now begin a damage assessment and provision of immediate needs.