Thread: A quick—and decidedly incomplete—listing of some of the damage reports coming in from Vanuatu’s northern islands:

Newly re-elected MP Matai Seremaiah says that he’s heard no reports of fatalities, but as many as 50^ of houses in his constituency of Luganville have been damaged.

Luganville is the only port capable of handling large-scale shipping. It is the northern region’s economic hub.

Networks are down throughout the affected area. Only spotty coverage is available. Information is sparse, and nearly impossible to confirm.

A fragmentary report from Paama island says many houses have been destroyed, and other have lost their roof. Crop damage is widespread, and already food security is a concern for villagers there.

Central Pentecost, near the eye: Melsisi Clinic severe damage, serious injuries. Ranwadi, severe damage, 0 injured, local telephone tower ‘gone'. Waterfall village, severe damage, 0 injured, Lalwari village, serious injuries. Salap & Vanvat villages, severe damage, 0 Injured.

Lalwari village is where our family lives. So I’m just going to take a breath….

Northern Epi Island, widespread damage to food crops, some houses damaged, widespread flooding. No details concerning injuries or deaths.

Again: This is a tiny sample, based on hearsay only. Comms are almost non-existent. I have no reason to disbelieve these reports, as they have been compiled by people who understand how to construct a damage assessment report. But I have no way to confirm any of them.