Many buildings were damaged by the storm, but despite some narrow escapes everyone is safe. Initial repairs are underway.

Aftermath of the 7th July 2026 Storm

Report and photos from Administrator Philip Kendall

It was a relief that Tuesday and Wednesday's storm did not knock out Tristan's communications, and we have received the following report and photographs from Philip Kendall. The worst damage appears to have been confined mainly to the business part of the settlement, and thankfully there have been no casualties. However, Philip and his wife Louise were personally affected, as they had to evacuate the Residency after the 124mph (200km/h) gust recorded at 19:43 tore off part of the roof.

The scene in the Residency garden at daybreak, strewn with longboat debris. The longboat had been blown from the side of the road to the left in this picture, where they are all normally kept tied down.

The scene in the Residency garden at daybreak, strewn with longboat debris. The longboat had been blown from the side of the road to the left in this picture, where they are all normally kept tied down.

Here are Philip's own words:

"Last night was the worst night of my life. The concerns for my own safety were by compounded by my concerns for Louise and of course overshadowed by my thoughts of the islanders. Louise and my departure from the Residency could not have been better timed, as within minutes, the front of the house was side swiped by a flying longboat which showered the lounge with glass where we had been sitting just moments earlier."

Another longboat straddles the Residency garden wall, but the Administrator's flag continues to defy the elements.

Another longboat straddles the Residency garden wall, but the Administrator's flag continues to defy the elements.

The Residency's front door and living room windows were broken by the flying longboat. The longboat was itself badly cracked with bits torn off.
The Residency's front door and living room windows were broken by the flying longboat.
The longboat was itself badly cracked with bits torn off.
The main Residency living room, drenched and scattered with broken window glass. The main Residency living room, drenched and scattered with broken window glass.
The main Residency living room, drenched and scattered with broken window glass.
The smashed Residency door from the inside, and later temporary repairs.
The smashed Residency door from the inside, and later temporary repairs.

"Our experience was nothing compared to the devastation caused to one family, who I will not name to protect their privacy at this time, who were in their house as it was destroyed around them. They were remarkably unharmed physically, but the mental scars will remain for a long time, I am sure. The debris from their house broke through the windows of the Albatross Bar allowing the hurricane force winds to wreak havoc inside."

Flying debris from one of the houses broke windows at the Albatross Bar and damaged the interior. The broken windows have since been temporarily boarded over.

Flying debris from one of the houses broke windows at the Albatross Bar and chaos (below) in the interior.
The broken windows have been temporarily boarded over.

"Today the island spirit came out in force, and we have been patching up buildings where possible, including the Residency, the Albatross bar and some storage sheds. Unfortunately, some buildings are unsalvageable, including the BioSecurity building, and a couple of the Communications offices. The BFBS receiver was also destroyed, so we have no TV, but the Starlink Antenna amazingly survived!"

The relatively new Bioesecurity Facility lost its roof, and its interior (below) was totally trashed. Note the cascades running down the cliff face behind, which only appear after heavy rain.

The relatively new Bioesecurity Facility lost its roof, and its interior (below) was totally devastated.

Some of the Other Damaged Buildings and Repair Work

One of the PWD sheds lost a door and suffered damage to the roof.
One of the PWD sheds lost a door and suffered damage to the roof.
Damage to a family storage hut. Damage to the RIB boathouse.
Damage to a family storage hut. Damage to the RIB boathouse.

Boarded up windows at the Residency.

Boarded up windows at the Residency.

Alongside previous repairs, the Residency roof is gradually acquiring a 'coat of many colours'.
Alongside previous repairs, the Residency roof is gradually acquiring a 'coat of many colours'.

Initial repair work has concentrated on making buildings watertight and a certain amount of salvage. It will take many months to fully tidy up the settlement, make good all the damage and/or procure replacements.