Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam was the secondmost intensetropical cyclone of the South Pacific Ocean in terms of sustained winds and is regarded as one of the worstnatural disasters in the history ofVanuatu.^[1] A total of 15–16 people died either directly or indirectly as a result of Pam with many others injured. The storm's impacts were also felt, albeit to a lesser extent, on other islands in the South Pacific, most notably theSolomon Islands,Tuvalu, and New Zealand. Pam is the third most intense storm of the South Pacific Ocean according topressure, afterWinston of2016 andZoe of2002. It is also the second most intensetropical cyclone in 2015, only behindHurricane Patricia. In addition, Pam is tied withOrson,Monica,Marcus andFantala for having the second strongest ten-minute maximum sustained winds in the Southern Hemisphere. Thousands of homes, schools and buildings were damaged or destroyed, with an estimated 3,300 people displaced as a result.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam

Pam nearing peak intensity overVanuatu, on 13 March
Meteorological history
Formed	6 March 2015 (2015-3-6)
Extratropical	15 March 2015
Dissipated	20 March 2015 (2015-03-20)
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (FMS)
Highest winds	250 km/h (155 mph)
Lowest pressure	896hPa (mbar); 26.46 inHg (Third-lowest in South Pacific basin, Fourth-lowest in Southern Hemisphere)
Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	280 km/h (175 mph)
Lowest pressure	911hPa (mbar); 26.90 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	15–16 total
Damage	$543 million (2015USD)
Areas affected	Fiji,Kiribati,Solomon Islands,Tuvalu,Vanuatu,New Caledonia,New Zealand
IBTrACS
Part of the2014–15 South Pacific cyclone season

Pam formed on 6 March, east of theSolomon Islands and tracked slowly in a generally southward direction, slowly intensifying as it did so. Two days later, the disturbance reached tropical cyclone intensity and, over subsequent days, Pam gradually strengthened before reachingCategory 5 cyclone status on both theAustralian andSaffir–Simpson scales on 12 March. The next day, Pam's sustained winds peaked at 250 km/h (155 mph) as the storm moved throughVanuatu, passing near several constituent islands and making direct hits on others. On 14 March, Pam's winds began to slowly weaken, but its pressure dropped further to a minimum of 896mbar (hPa; 26.46 inHg) before rising shortly afterwards. Over the next few days, the cyclone's weakening accelerated as it moved poleward. On 15 March, Pam passed northeast of New Zealand beforetransitioning into anextratropical cyclone that same day.

Early in Pam's history, a damagingstorm surge impactedTuvalu, prompting astate of emergency declaration after 45 percent of the nation's residents were displaced. Torrential rainfall occurred in the southeasternSolomon Islands, particularly in theSanta Cruz Islands. In Vanuatu, all emergency centres were activated and relief personnel were put on standby with Pam assessed as having the potential to be one of the nation's worst tropical cyclones. Catastrophic damage occurred as the storm moved through the archipelago, particularly inEfate, the location of theNi-Vanuatu capital ofPort Vila; and theTafea islands ofErromango andTanna. The cyclone crippled Vanuatu's infrastructure: an estimated 90 percent of the nation's buildings were impacted by the storm's effects, telecommunications were paralysed, andwater shortages continue to plague the small nation. Pam later brought heavy winds and rough surf to New Zealand'sNorth Island during its weakening stages.

During the opening days of March 2015, a majorwesterly wind burst occurred, which subsequently contributed to the development of the2014–16 El Niño event and the development of two tropical cyclones nearKiribati on either side of theequator.^[2] The first tropical cyclone becameTropical Storm Bavi and impacted theMarshall Islands, theMariana Islands andPhilippines. The second system was first noted as Tropical Disturbance 11F by theFiji Meteorological Service (FMS) on 6 March, while it was located about 750 kilometres (465 mi) to the north-east ofHoniara in theSolomon Islands.^[3] The system was located underneath an upper-level ridge of high pressure and within an area favourable for further development with low-moderate vertical windshear.^[3][4] As a result,weather forecast models anticipated the development of a significant tropical cyclone over the coming days.^[4] Initially, the disturbance floundered east of theSolomon Islands and slowly strengthened,^[5] reachingtropical depression intensity on 8 March. The storm's appearance and areal coverage of showers remained stationary until the following day,^[6] when the formation ofrainbands wrapping around the centre of the system prompted the FMS to upgrade the storm's classification to a category 1 tropical cyclone on theAustralian tropical cyclone scale, assigning it the namePam.^[7] Atmospheric conditions at the time were slightly favourable for continued development as the storm continued to slowly track along the southern periphery of ahigh-pressure area to its north.^[8]

Following the storm's name, Pam began to curve southwards around midday on 9 March. Computer models continued to point towards the possibility ofrapid intensification occurring as the cyclone approachedVanuatu.^[9] Significant development in Pam's organisation took place throughout the remainder of the day into 10 March.^[10] The cyclone'scirculation centre quickly tightened, with thecentral dense overcast atop it persisting in strength.^[11] At 18:00 UTC on 10 March, the FMS upgraded the system to category 3 strength, making it a severe tropical cyclone.^[12] Shortly after,microwave imagery revealed a primordialeye-feature developing within Pam.^[13] This became apparent onvisible light images on 11 March.^[14] That day, Pam became quasi-stationary east of theSanta Cruz Islands before resuming its prior southwesterly motion towards the end of 11 March.^[15][16] The storm's eye continued to warm as its cloud tops cooled such that at 12:00 UTC, the FMS assessed Pam to have reached Category 5 intensity on the Australian cyclone scale.^[17] Six hours later, the JTWC estimated that the storm reached Category 5-equivalent intensity on theSaffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale as Pam was east ofPenama.^[18]

Early on 13 March, the JTWC determined Pam reached its peak one-minute sustained winds of 270 km/h (170 mph) as it nearedVanuatu;^[19] this was increased to 280 km/h (175 mph) in post-season reanalysis. Several hours later, the cyclone began to curve towards the south-southeast, allowing Pam to pass just east ofEfate.^[20] At that time, the FMS estimated Pam as having record-breaking 250 km/h (155 mph) ten-minute sustained winds.^[21] The storm's winds gradually slowed afterwards as Pam tracked west ofTafea. However, the FMS indicated that the cyclone's pressure dropped further to a minimum of 896mbar (hPa; 26.46 inHg) on 14 March,^[22] making Pam the second most intense tropical cyclone in the South Pacific basin afterCyclone Zoe in2002.^[23] This intensity was short-lived, however, as Pam's central pressure began rising shortly thereafter as the storm accelerated southeastward.^[24] After 12:00 UTC that day, Pam left the area of responsibility of the FMS and entered the monitoring region of New Zealand'sMetService, who estimated that Pam weakened to Category 4 intensity on 15 March after maintaining Category 5 intensity for 36 hours.^[25] Shortly after, the storm's eye faded away and Pam's low level circulation became displaced from its associated thunderstorms, signalling a rapid weakening phase.^[26] Later on 15 March, both agencies discontinued issuing advisories as Pam entered a phase ofextratropical transition while affecting northeastern New Zealand. The system moved eastwards, and eventually dissipated over the waters of the South Pacific on 20 March.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam was responsible for 24 deaths as it impacted various parts of the Pacific Ocean, before the name wasretired from theSouth Pacific lists of tropical cyclone names. The system also influenced the Pacifictrade winds and withTropical Storm Bavi, caused one of the strongest trade wind reversals that had been observed on record.^[27]

Bavi and Pam caused severe weather including swells, heavy rain and strong winds to be reported within Kiribati between 8–11 March.

After all the development we have done for the last couple of years and this big cyclone came and just destroyed... all the infrastructure the government has... built. Completely destroyed.

— Vanuatu PresidentBaldwin Lonsdale,^[28]

By 12 March, the National Disaster Management Office in Vanuatu activated all emergency operation centres in the country. Officials reported difficulty in contacting outlying islands where there was poor infrastructure. In those areas, they advised residents to identify nearby shelters in case evacuation was necessary. Across the country, residents spent the day on 12 March stocking up on supplies for the storm. TheInternational Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated volunteers were on standby for assessments in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu once the storm passed. Supplies of water and water purification systems were pre-positioned for the countries.^[29] Acting director of the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office, Peter Korisa, warned that should Pam strike the capital ofPort Vila it could be worse thanCyclone Uma in 1987 which killed 50 people and caused US$150 million in damage.^[30]

The death toll from Cyclone Pam is uncertain, with totals from the Vanuatu Government and United Nations differing. According to Vanuatu, 11 people died as a direct result of Pam. Four others died at Vila Central Hospital shortly after the storm's passage, though these are considered indirectly related.^[31] According to the United Nations, a total of 16 people were killed.^[32] In the immediate aftermath, media outlets indicated unconfirmed reports of 44 casualties in the many villages destroyed by the storm;^[33][34][35] however, these claims were never substantiated.^[32]

According toUNICEF, at least 132,000 people have been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Pam, of whom 54,000 are children.^[36] Communication across the country was crippled, with only one cellular tower in Port Vila remaining operational. The power grid was devastated as well and officials estimated repairs could take weeks.^[37] Four days after the storm, nearly 60 of the nation's inhabited islands remained cut-off from the outside world.^[38] UNICEF has estimated that up to 90 percent of the buildings in Vanuatu have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Pam. Hospitals, schools and water supply are either compromised or destroyed.^[36] Journalist Michael McLennan in Port Vila likened the effects of Pam to a bomb: "It's like a bomb has gone through...It's really quite apocalyptic." Sune Gudnitz, head of theUnited Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stated that Pam was indeed a worst-case scenario for Vanuatu.^[39]

Catastrophic damage occurred on the islands ofErromango andTanna. Communication with the islands was completely severed during the storm, and first contact with residents did not take place until two days after Pam's passage. A pilot who flew to the islands reported that all infrastructure had been crippled, with every structure severely damaged or destroyed. Concrete buildings held up during the storm, but lost their roofs. Locals reported two fatalities on Tanna, though this was unconfirmed by officials. Additionally, there was no drinkable water left on the island.^[41] Approximately 95 percent of the homes onTongoa were reportedly destroyed.^[38] Total damage in Vanuatu reachedVT48.6 billion (US$449 million).^[42]

North of Efate, the small island of Mataso was largely destroyed with only two homes left standing after the storm. Residents sought refuge in caves to ride out the storm; two people died there.^[40]

TheTukoro, Vanuata's most significant patrol vessel, was washed ashore onMoso Island.^[43] Repairs took 16 months.

According toUNESCO, a total of $268.4 million is needed for total recovery and rehabilitation of the nation.^[44]

Prior to the formation of Cyclone Pam, flooding fromking tides, which peaked at 3.4 m (11 ft) on 19 February 2015, caused considerable road damage across the multi-island nation of Tuvalu.^[45][46] Between 10 and 11 March, waves, estimated to be 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft), associated with the cyclone swept across the low-lying islands ofTuvalu. Theatolls ofNanumea,Nanumanga,Niutao,Nui,Nukufetau,Nukulaelae, andVaitupu were most affected.^[47][48] Significant damage to agriculture and infrastructure occurred.^[49] The outermost islands were hardest hit, with one flooded in its entirety.^[50] A state of emergency was subsequently declared on 14 March.^[49][51] Water supplies on Nui were contaminated by seawater and rendered undrinkable.^[47] An estimated 45 percent of the nation's nearly 10,000 people were displaced, according to Prime MinisterEnele Sopoaga.^[52] Damage across the nation amounted to US$92 million.^[53]

Early in the Cyclone Pam's development, it produced torrential rains and gale-force winds over theSolomon Provinces ofMalaita,Makira-Ulawa, andTemotu.^[30] Trees and crops were flattened, and residents sheltered in schools and in caves after their homes were destroyed.^[54] Rainfall was particularly intense over theSanta Cruz Islands, where a 24‑hour total of 495 mm (19.5 in) was observed.^[55] Continuous heavy rain prompted the evacuation of 500 students inWest Guadalcanal.^[56]

The storm later struck the remote islands ofAnuta andTikopia on 12 March, causing extensive damage.^[57] Approximately 1,500 homes were damaged or destroyed in the region and 5,000 people were directly.^[58] Powerful winds toppled numerous trees. Several injuries were reported, though exact numbers are unknown. Tikopia's lost roughly 90 percent of its food crop and fruit trees; water sources were also contaminated. Contact with Anuta was lost as all its phone lines failed;^[57] the island remained isolated for at least a week after Pam's passage.^[59]

Although not in the direct path of Pam, officials inFiji warned residents in low-lying areas of potential flooding from the system's outer rain bands.^[60] On 11 March, theNorthern Division activated its Emergency Operations Centre and directed precautionary measures to be undertaken, with the expectation that flash flooding andcoastal flooding from high tides were set to occur.^[61] Emergency shelters for possible evacuations were identified by 12 March.^[62] Fears concerning the Fijian infrastructure's susceptibility to winds and flooding were raised by the Disaster Management Office.^[63] Later that day, cruise operators announced that trips to theYasawa Islands would be cancelled due to the storm.^[64] Anticipating dangerous conditions from the cyclone, the fifth leg of theVolvo Ocean Race was postponed until at least 01:00 UTC on 16 March.^[65] Other residents were warned not to venture out to sea as Pam passed nearby.^[66]

A pre-cyclone alert was raised inNew Caledonia as a precaution.^[30] On 13 March 2015 at noon local time, this was raised to the first level of cyclone alert for theLoyalty Islands and for theIsle of Pines.^[67] The second and highest level of cyclone alert was raised at 03:00 local time on 14 March 2015 for the islands ofMaré andLifou,^[68] and the alert ended at 17:00 and 20:00 local time on the same day. All alert levels were then lifted on Sunday, 15 March at 08:00 local time.

On the whole, material damages were relatively light, with a few fallen trees, a few roofs blown out, and only 26 people in need of emergency housing (18 onMaré and 8 onLifou). At the height of the storm, a maximum of 6000 inhabitants suffered power outages, but power was then restored fairly quickly to the vast majority. As perceived by the population of theLoyalty Islands, the worst damage was in fact the loss of the yams harvest, which will affect numerous communities of bothMaré andLifou, both as a means of subsistence for the coming season and as a cultural apparatus for ceremonies like weddings.^[69]

Civil Defense officials in New Zealand issued severe weather warnings, that the remnants of Cyclone Pam could bring unprecedented damage to much of the northeastern coastal areas of theNorth Island. Swells of 6–8 m (20–26 ft) were forecast with potential for damage exceeding that ofCyclone Bola – which struck New Zealand's North Island in 1988.^[70]

On 15 March gale-force winds began affecting northern parts of the North Island and continued into the following day,^[71] with gusts peaking at 148 km/h (92 mph) inKaeo and 144 km/h (89 mph) inHicks Bay.^[72] Some voluntary evacuations took place in theGisborne region.^[71] Power outages took place in theWhangarei District.^[73] Heavy rains accompanied the system as well, with over 200 mm (7.9 in) falling in areas between Hicks Bay and Gisborne.^[74] Along the coast, waves reached 4.5 m (15 ft) inTutukaka and 5–6 m (16–20 ft) nearTolaga Bay.^[73][75] The cyclone also brought cooler temperatures throughout most of the North Island and northern South Island.^[74]

The storm later brought winds up to 140 km/h (87 mph) to theChatham Islands (pop: 650), prompting the declaration of a civil defence emergency. Downed trees cut power to portions of the islands, though no major damage was reported. Twelve people sought refuge in a public shelter.^[76] A wharf on the north side of the islands was damaged by rough seas.^[77] Insurance loss in New Zealand amounted toNZ$2.2 million (US$1.63 million).^[78]

An RAAFLockheed P-3 Orion was dispatched to the eastern Solomon Islands for aerial damage surveys.^[79]

Before the disaster, many developed countries pledged funds to assist smaller, developing nations with disaster preparation and relief efforts.^[80]Jim Yong Kim, president of theWorld Bank, has called for insurance schemes to help the Vanuatu government respond to natural disasters.^[81] United NationsSecretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon highlighted thatclimate change leads to increased risks of natural disasters.^[82]

While attending theWorld Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction inSendai, Japan, Vanuatu PresidentBaldwin Lonsdale requested international assistance for his people.^[83] Immediately following the cyclone's impact in Vanuatu, governments across the world began providing aid relief funds. Sufficient repairs ofBauerfield International Airport were completed by 14 March to allow the first flights from Australia carrying aid to arrive. Initial monetary assistance included $3.8 million from Australia, $2.9 million from the United Kingdom, $1.8 million from New Zealand, and $1.05 million from theEuropean Union, $250,000 from India and promised to extend any further assistance required.^[84] The French overseas territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia have granted €300,000 (US$318,000) of immediate emergency aid.^[85][86]

Australia, France, and New Zealand enacted a coordinated response within the framework of theFRANZ agreement, in which France would carry out damage assessments while Australia and New Zealand would provide humanitarian aid. In accordance with this, France ordered thefrigateVendémiaire to sail fromNouméa, New Caledonia, to conduct surveys along with aircraft from the island territory.^[84] On 15 March, Australia confirmed that supplies for up to 5,000 people would be sent via twoRoyal Australian Air Force (RAAF)Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. ALockheed C-130 Hercules was also deployed with emergency evaluation personnel and Department of Foreign Affairs officials to determine specifics on aid required.^[79] On 15 March aCASA-235 transport plane was dispatched from theNew Caledonian Armed Forces airbase carrying engineers to repair the water supply, a Red Cross technician and spare parts to enable the reopening of the airport to scheduled flights.^[87] A second CASA-235 was dispatched from French Polynesia carrying tools for rebuilding, satelitte communications, tents and logistics supplies for 10 days.^[88]

More than four days after the storm, much of the affected population had yet to be reached. A lack of airstrips and deepwater ports hampered the speed of relief operations.^[38]Save the Children's Vanuatu director, Tom Skirrow, stated that the logistical challenges presented with Cyclone Pam greatly exceeded that ofTyphoon Haiyan which left over 7,350 dead or missing in the Philippines during November 2013.^[28] Residents onMoso Island, located just north of Efate, were forced to drink saltwater. Survivors stated that no aid had reached them as of 17 March, and most were forced to scavenge for food.^[38] It was not until 27 March, two weeks after Pam struck, that aid finally reached all of the affected islands.^[89]

On 24 March,IsraAid reached Tongoa in theShepherds Islands group by boat,^[90] and distributed over 40 tons of rice, flour and water to twelve villages and eight schools on two islands levelled by the cyclone.^[91]

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency responded by distributing shelter kits, water filtration kits and food packages, as well as setting up 10 evacuation centres in Port Vila.^[92] In total, ADRA assisted more than 10,000 people in 2586 households across three islands.

New Zealand started providing aid toTuvalu on 14 March.^[84][93] Owing to the severity of damage in the nation, the local chapter of the Red Cross enacted an emergency operation plan on 16 March which would focus on the needs of 3,000 people. The focus on the 81,873 CHF operation was to provide essential non-food items and shelter.^[47] Flights carrying these supplies from Fiji began on 17 March.^[48] Prime Minister Sopoaga stated that Tuvalu appeared capable of handling the disaster on its own and urged that international relief be focused on Vanuatu.^[48][50] Tuvalu's Disaster Coordinator, Suneo Silu, said the priority island isNui as sources of fresh water were contaminated.^[48] On 17 March, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a donation of US$61,000 in aid to Tuvalu.^[94] UNICEF and Australia have committed to deliver aid to Tuvalu.^[95][96]

As of 22 March 71 families (40 percent of the population) of Nui remain displaced and were living in 3 evacuation centres or with other families and on Nukufetau, 76 people (13 percent of the population) remain displaced and were living in 2 evacuation centres.^[97]

The Situation Report published on 30 March reported that on Nukufetau all the displaced people have returned to their homes.^[98] Nui suffered the most damage of the three central islands (Nui, Nukufetau and Vaitupu); with both Nui and Nukufetau suffering the loss of 90% of the crops.^[98] Of the three northern islands (Nanumanga, Niutao, Nanumea), Nanumanga suffered the most damage, with 60–100 houses flooded and damage to the health facility. The number of influenza cases that had been reported in Nanumanga had stabilised.^[98]

• List of the most intense tropical cyclones
  • Cyclone Zoe in2002 – 240 km/h (150 mph), 890 mbar (hPa; 26.28 inHg)
  • Cyclone Percy in2005 – 230 km/h (145 mph), 900 mbar (hPa; 26.58 inHg)
  • CyclonesRon andSusan in1998 – 230 km/h (145 mph), 900 mbar (hPa; 26.58 inHg)
  • Cyclone Yasa in2020 - 230 km/h (145 mph), 917 mbar (hPa; 27:08 inHg)
• Cyclone Atu – a strong cyclone in2011 that impacted Vanuatu
• Cyclone Fran – a strong cyclone in1992 that impacted Vanuatu as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone
• Cyclone Winston – the strongest cyclone recorded in the South Pacific; impacted Fiji as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone in2016
• Cyclone Harold – a strong cyclone in2020 and the strongest cyclone to impact Vanuatu since Pam.

• All the news of Cyclone Pam from MetService
• 17P.PAMArchived 27 October 2017 at theWayback Machine from the US Naval Research Laboratory
• World Meteorological Organization
• Australian Bureau of Meteorology
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• New Zealand MetService
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center