Vanuatu - Tropical cyclone FIFTEEN (ECHO 27 Feb 2023)Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:17
- Tropical cyclone FIFTEEN (JUDY for Vanuatu) formed over the South Pacific Ocean and is moving south-west over the northern Vanatu Islands. On 27 February at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located offshore approximately 405 km east-northeast of Sola Town (Vanua Lava Island, northern Vanuatu), with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (tropical storm).
- FIFTEEN is forecast to move south-southwest, strengthening, passing very close to the Banks Islands (north-eastern Vanuatu) on the morning of 28 February and to cross the central and southern islands (Epi, Efate, Erromango and Tanna) on 28-29 February.
- For the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall and strong winds are forecast over the northern provinces of Vanuatu with flash flooding expected in low-lying areas, and areas close to the river banks, including coastal flooding and storm surge. A Yellow Alert is in effect for Torba, Sanma, Penama, and Malampa Provinces (northern and central Vanuatu), while Blue Alert remains for Shefa and Tafea Provinces (southern Vanuatu).
JUDY-23 - UNITAR-UNOSAT ActivationTue, 28 Feb 2023 06:32
UNITAR-UNOSAT Potentially Damaged Buildings has been activated
Vanuatu, Solomon Islands - Tropical cyclone JUDY, update (ECHO 28 Feb 2023)Tue, 28 Feb 2023 11:45
- Tropical cyclone JUDY continued moving south-west over the South Pacific Ocean, toward Vanuatu and well off southern Solomon Islands. On 28 February at 6.00 UTC its centre was located over the ocean approximately 50 km north-east of Maewo Island (northern Vanuatu) and 120 km north-east of Luganville City (Espiritu Santo Island), with maximum sustained winds of 102 km/h (tropical storm).
- JUDY is expected to strengthen and pass over northern and central Vanuatu (approximately 20 km west of the capital city Port Vila) on 28 February in the afternoon (UTC), with maximum sustained winds up to 145 km/h (tropical cyclone).
- Over the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge are forecast over Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa and Shefa provinces (northern and central Vanuatu). A red alert for cyclone is in effect over the first four mentioned provinces.
- The UNOSAT-UNITAR satellite mapping was activated on 28 February for the population exposure analysis across the country.
Vanuatu - Tropical cyclone JUDY, update (ECHO 01 Mar 2023)Wed, 01 Mar 2023 10:00
- Tropical cyclone JUDY passed over northern and central Vanuatu, very close (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.
- Media reports, as of 1 March, some damaged buildings and power outages across the area of the Capital City Port Vila. A number of evacuation centres were already preventively identified by the local authorities.
- JUDY is expected to slightly strenghten and to pass over southern Vanuatu in the afternoon (UTC) of 1 March. After that, on 2-3 March, it is forecast to continue southeastward over the Pacific Ocean, weakening into a tropical storm.
- Over the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge are forecast over central, southern and parts of northern Vanuatu. A red alert for cyclone is in effect over Shefa Province (central Vanuatu) and Tafea Province (southern Vanuatu).
JUDY-23 - EC/ECHO daily mapWed, 01 Mar 2023 17:26
A new EC/ECHO daily map is now available
JUDY-23 - UNITAR-UNOSAT ActivationThu, 02 Mar 2023 08:56
UNITAR-UNOSAT Potentially Damaged Buildings has been activated
Vanuatu - Tropical cyclones JUDY (update) and KEVIN (ECHO 02 Mar 2023)Thu, 02 Mar 2023 12:20
- 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. The FRANZ mechanism, donor’s platform (France, Australia and New Zealand) has been activated.
JUDY-23 - UNITAR-UNOSAT ActivationFri, 03 Mar 2023 15:28
UNITAR-UNOSAT Potentially Damaged Buildings has been activated
JUDY-23 - JRC emergency reportSat, 04 Mar 2023 08:47
A new JRC Emergency report is now available
JUDY-23 - UNITAR-UNOSAT ActivationMon, 06 Mar 2023 18:01
UNITAR-UNOSAT Potentially Damaged Buildings has been activated
JUDY-23 - UNITAR-UNOSAT ActivationTue, 07 Mar 2023 13:00
UNITAR-UNOSAT Potentially Damaged Buildings has been activated
JUDY-23 - UNITAR-UNOSAT ActivationWed, 08 Mar 2023 15:10
UNITAR-UNOSAT Potentially Damaged Buildings has been activated
JUDY-23 - UNITAR-UNOSAT ActivationMon, 13 Mar 2023 13:04
UNITAR-UNOSAT Potentially Damaged Buildings has been activated
Vanuatu - Tropical cyclones JUDY and KEVIN, update (ECHO 14 Mar 2023)Tue, 14 Mar 2023 11:14
- Following the passage of tropical cyclones JUDY and KEVIN on 28 February - 3 March over central-southern Vanuatu, 251,346 people (about 80% of the total population) have been affected.
- UN OCHA reports 5,156 still evacuated people in 106 evacuation centres located in Shefa and Tafea Province and 28 damaged and inaccessible schools. National authorities, NGOs and humanitarian partners are providing help for those most affected.
- Following Vanuatu’s request for assistance from the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, (UCPM) one country offered various capacities.
- The Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated in rapid mapping mode () on 4 March and 16 maps have been produced so far.
- On 14-15 March, light to moderate rain with localized thunderstorms is expected across most parts of Vanuatu, particularly over Shefa Province.
