Tropical Cyclone Evan

On Thursday, December 13, Tropical Cyclone Evan made landfall in Samoa as a Category 2 cyclone before intensifying into a Category 3 storm. Extensive flooding has been reported in the capital Apia, as well as widespread structural damage, including 18 schools affected. Preliminary reports indicate that 1,059 houses have been damaged and 421 houses have been completely destroyed.

The Samoa Red Cross Society (SRCS) is currently working with the Government of Samoa to conduct assessments and to manage evacuation centres which now have 4,739 people staying in them.

The tropical storm also made landfall in Fiji as a Category 4 cyclone, passing through Lautoka and Nadi, two of Fiji’s most populated cities, on Monday, December 17 with winds of more than 200 k/ph. The Fiji Red Cross Society (FRCS) deployed Emergency Response Teams to conduct assessments and has relief stocks prepositioned throughout the country.

The Canadian Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely and has pre-positioned stocks, trained delegates and a field hospital ready to be deployed if needed.

Anyone wishing to support the overall disaster response can donate to the Canadian Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund.

Posted:  December 19, 2012