Cyclone Beni - Preparations, Impact, and Aftermath - Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Calendonia

Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Calendonia

Multiple crops in the Solomon Islands were damaged by the flooding rains, including coconut, papaya, banana, and sweet potato crops, causing a food shortage on the islands. Saltwater inundation caused by strong waves damaged some garden plots, adding on further to the food shortage. A freshwater lake was flooded by the heavy rain, damaging nearby taro crops. The rough seas also forced patrol boats in Honiara to be moved to prevent them from drifting offshore. In the village of Tingoa, some locals took shelter in caves while other moved into emergency shelters. It is estimated that about 2,000 people took shelter nation-wide. Disaster management officials sent relief supplies to Rennell and Bellona Islands, the islands that worst affected by the storm.

Vanuatu experienced strong winds from Beni, with gusts of up to 95 km/h (59 mph). In the capital of Port Vila, structures near the coast were damaged by storm surge. Damage in the islands totaled to USD$1 million. In Mele, the tide caused by Beni was only measured as high as 0.3 m (0.98 ft). Beach erosion occurred along the coasts of Vanuatu as well.

Due to the impending approach of Beni, authorities in New Caledonia issued a low-level alert for the island. In the Nouméa area, school holiday camps were closed and military personnel were sent to the Loyalty Islands in advance. However, the alert for New Caledonia was lifted after Beni weakened and moved away from the islands. Several power outages and structural damage occurred during the passing of Beni in the Loyalty Islands, which were caused by trees collapsing on power lines. Rain peaked at 160 mm (6.3 in) in a mountain spring.