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Hundreds of homes ruined in Tonga storm; authorities relieved death toll limited to 1

Associated Press
Published | Updated
Tonga Cyclone

This aerial photo released by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, taken on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, shows the damage to Ha'apai island group, in Tonga, following Cyclone Ian. Tongan officials said about 300 to 400 families had their homes severely damaged or destroyed in the powerful storm that struck Saturday but they are relieved the death toll hasn’t risen beyond one. (AP Photo/Royal New Zealand Air Force) EDITORIAL USE ONLY (The Associated Press)

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga – Tongan officials said Monday that 300 to 400 families had their homes severely damaged or destroyed in a powerful storm but they are relieved the death toll hasn't risen beyond one.

Director of Emergencies Leveni Aho said it's "almost unbelievable" there weren't more fatalities given the devastation caused by Cyclone Ian, which pummeled the South Pacific archipelago with gusts up to 287 kilometers (178 miles) per hour on Saturday.

Worst hit was the Ha'apai island group, home to 8,000 people. Authorities said one elderly woman on Lifuka Island was killed but haven't released details. Aho said several people suffered moderate injuries but none were life threatening.

Aho said the cyclone's destructive path was unusually narrow and did not create major flooding, which helped limit the damage. He said relief supplies have begun arriving but he remains concerned that fresh water supplies are dwindling, in part because many people rely on roof rainwater catchment systems that were destroyed in the storm.

He said that one of the two main cellphone operators restored service Monday, which has vastly improved communications. Residents remain without power, he said, but he hopes power will be restored to some places in the several days.

He said there was severe damage to the control tower at Ha'apai airport but that some flights carrying relief supplies have been able to land.

Most of the destroyed homes were made from light timber frames with iron roofs, Aho said. He said many residents live subsistence lifestyles and may face food shortages after their crops were destroyed.

New Zealand's government has pledged 50,000 New Zealand dollars ($41,000) toward relief efforts and several aid agencies have deployed to the region.