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Vanuatu cyclone guide

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is the government agency that coordinates preparation for and response to disasters and emergencies in Vanuatu. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) issues the cyclone forecasts and warnings, and the NDMO says Vanuatu is regularly subject to cyclones between November and April each year. Cyclone alerts use three colours, Blue, Yellow, and Red, and the NDMO gives the ALL CLEAR after the VMGD cancels the warning for your area. Vanuatu is on this one page.

Checked on October 10, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). In an emergency, call 1111 for the police, 113 for fire, or 115 for Promedical.

What to know in Vanuatu

  • Blue Alert means the VMGD is forecasting a cyclone within 48 hours. The NDMO says to prepare, including securing loose material, preparing a plan for animals, and finding the nearest evacuation centre or safe place.
  • Yellow Alert means the VMGD is forecasting a cyclone within 36 hours. The NDMO says to get ready and act now, and to move early to the evacuation centre or safe place if you live in an unsafe house or area.
  • Red Alert means the VMGD is forecasting a cyclone within 24 hours. The NDMO says to stay in shelter or a safe place, away from doors and windows, and not to go outside until the NDMO issues the ALL CLEAR after the VMGD cancels the cyclone warning for your area.
  • The NDMO says the VMGD publishes the Tropical Cyclone Warning each day of the cyclone season at 6am and 6pm.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Police 1111 As the Vanuatu Police Force lists it. Some foreign travel advice gives 111, so use the police page for the current number.
Fire 113 As the Vanuatu Police Force lists it.
Maritime 114 As the Vanuatu Police Force lists it.
Promedical 115 Listed as Promedical on the Vanuatu Police Force emergencies page.
Police non-emergency, Port Vila +678-22-222 For police matters that are not emergencies. The NDMO also lists this number as 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Police non-emergency, Santo +678-36-222 For police matters that are not emergencies.
National Disaster Management Office +678-22-699 Office line, as the NDMO lists it. The NDMO also lists +678-33-366. Not for life threatening emergencies.
Weather and cyclone information (VMGD) 116 Toll free number shown on the VMGD website. The VMGD landline is +678-24-686.
VMGD weather forecast information +678-22-932 The NDMO lists this line as available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Official alerts and information

  • VMGD warnings: Marine, severe weather, volcano, tsunami, and tropical cyclone warnings. Check the date on each one. Website.
  • NDMO cyclone awareness and colour alerts: What the Blue, Yellow, and Red alerts mean and what to do at each one, plus the cyclone tracking map. Website.

National resources

  • National Disaster Management Office (NDMO): The NDMO's website. Official Vanuatu government sites end in .gov.vu, and the NDMO warns of fake sites pretending to be official. Website.
  • Vanuatu Police Force emergencies page: In any natural disaster the police say to refer to the NDMO website and follow the instructions of the Vanuatu Police Force. Website.

For state agencies across the country, see the official sources page.

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

The NDMO tells people to find the nearest evacuation centre or safe place, and the distance and time to get there, when a Blue Alert is issued, and to stay in the strongest part of the house or the evacuation centre under a Red Alert. We did not find an official national list of evacuation centres. Do not assume any place is open. Follow the NDMO and the VMGD.

Radio, TV and weather

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts

  • Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD): Vanuatu's national weather service. Toll free 116, landline +678-24-686. Head office at Numbatu, Port Vila, which also houses the NDMO. Phone: 116. Website.
  • Fiji Meteorological Service (RSMC Nadi): The WMO regional centre for tropical cyclones in the South-West Pacific. Follow the VMGD and the NDMO for official alerts in Vanuatu. Website.

Sources

Checked on October 10, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.