Tristan da Cunha Storm News

Two Months Since the July 2026 Storm - Rebuilding Together

Report and photos from Administrator Philip Kendall

It is now two months since the devastating storm of the 7th July 2026, and while progress has been slower than we might wish, step by step the island is recovering. The damage was widespread, touching homes, offices, and essential facilities, but thanks to determination and support from near and far, we are moving forward.

The storm-wrecked longboat Lorna being removed from outside the Residency. Photo: Philip Kendall

We are especially grateful to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for £250,000, which is enabling us to tackle the most urgent repairs. Roofing, windows, and other immediate needs are being addressed first, ensuring that families and key services can regain a sense of stability. We are also grateful for the donations received through the TdCA's Disaster Fund and through the David Wilson Charity Fund. It’s humbling to see such a generous response.

The Biosecurity building now has a new roof, a vital milestone in protecting one of our most important facilities. Work inside continues, with electrical wiring and other repairs still to be completed before the building can fully reopen.

The Biosecurity building gets a new roof - before and after. Photos: Philip Kendall

At the Residency, a new front door was fitted last week. This small but significant change has allowed Louise and me to once again welcome friends and neighbours for dinner, restoring a cherished tradition of hospitality. The new windows for the house have also arrived on the island, although they will be installed only after more urgent repairs to other properties are completed.

The Residency gets a new front door - before and after. Photos: Philip Kendall

Some challenges remain larger. Danny and Lynette’s house that was completely destroyed, along with the Telecommunications Office, will take longer to rebuild. These projects are complex, but our hope is to see both completed before next winter, ensuring that no one is left without shelter and that vital services such as internet, phones and television are not only restored but enhanced.

Through all of this, the kindness of the community and the many supportive messages we have received have been a source of strength. Rebuilding is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about resilience, friendship, and the shared determination to see Tristan thrive again.

Thank you for standing with us as we continue this journey of recovery. Together, we will emerge stronger, with renewed hope for the future.

Using the telehandler to lift the windblown longboat Britannia off the Residency garden wall. Photo: Philip Kendall

Tristan Association to help Tristan family after storm damage

Disaster Fund launched

Following a bid from the island, Tristan da Cunha Association (TdCA) trustees have agreed to fund a grant of up to £15,000 to help re-build the home of Danny Swain & Lynette Green which was severely damaged by the 7th July 2026 storm. The couple have two children (aged 8 and 2) and have had to move out until their home is restored.

Photos from Lorraine Repetto show the damaged home

Tristan da Cunha islanders have no house insurance, which is unavailable in such a remote location, and there is only a limited local disaster fund which has also given some support.

The TdCA has existing funds to support this project but has now established a separate Disaster Fund so that potential donors can give to help with this project, or future disasters which unfortunately may occur in the future.

Side view of the damaged roof

The TdCA has a specific Object to provide grants following natural or other disasters, and in 2022 a grant of £10,313.89 was given to Eugene & Kirsty Repetto to help re-build their home which was destroyed by fire.

Anyone can donate by credit or debit card, using the Disaster Fund section of the TdCA Order Form >>

A view from within the house

To find out more about the storm and other damage, please see earlier reports of the July 2026 storm

7th July 2026 Storm Recovery Update Two Weeks On

Report and photos from Administrator Philip Kendall on the 21st July 2026

Two weeks on from the hurricane force winds that wreaked destruction on Tristan, things are slowly getting back to some semblance of normality. At the Residency we have managed to dry out the reception rooms and have shampooed the carpet. The wooden shutters on the lounge windows have been replaced by Perspex to allow light back into the house. An order has been placed for replacement coffee tables, a new TV stand, windows and doors, which will all hopefully be delivered in time for the arrival of the Agulhas II in September. The longboats are yet to be removed from the front of the house, and the garden walls will have to be rebuilt. We have yet to decide whether to replace the greenhouse which is lying in a heap in the corner of the vegetable patch.

The Residency's benches may have been put back, but the longboat and its debris still remain,
as do the scars in the lawn, caused by the flying debris.

The new (temporary) view from the Residency lounge.

The longboat Britannia still lies astride the partially demolished Residency garden wall.

The Admin's destroyed greenhouse.

Elsewhere, the Albatross Bar opened for business last Friday, just 10 days after the storm. There too we have Perspex until the replacement windows arrive. We have plans to re-roof the Biosecurity Building and rebuild the Communications Department offices. The family whose home was destroyed have cleared the site and are planning to rebuild.

What remains of the Biosecurity office - The unopened bottle of beer evidently survived on Trevor's desk!

Removing the destroyed Communications Department office huts.

As time has gone by over the last couple of weeks, more damage has come to light. The Thatched Cottage had damage to its door and roof, but this has now been repaired.

Damage to the east end of the Post Office and Tourism Centre.	Repairing the roof of an island family's home. Photo: Kelly Green

The radio repeater at Burntwood was also seriously damaged, meaning that we have limited radio communications to the west and south of the island, including on Nightingale. Encouragingly, a team visiting Nightingale Island found no damage there.
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello watches Nicky Swain secure a spare Starlink antenna as a temporary replacement for the BFBS receiver.	Damaged radio repeater at Burntwood. Photo: Nicky Swain

It is clear that this is going to be a long recovery, but we will get there. The FCDO, RSPB and Blue Belt have all offered assistance and we have received generous private donations too, which will all help us to rebuild better and stronger.

Just over half of the Adminstrator's flag remains.	Diplomatic bags drying out at the Government Building.

Stephen Doughty MP, the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories sent the following letter of support to the island community on the 13th July.

Aftermath of the 7th July 2026 Storm
Many buildings were damaged by the storm, but despite some narrow escapes everyone is safe. Initial repairs are underway. 8-Jul-2026
Full story >>

Damaging Storm hits Tristan, 7th July 2026
Tristan was hit with damaging hurricane-force winds on the 7th July 2026, expected to continue overnight. 7-Jul-2026
Full story >>

First Update on the February 2024 Flooding
Update the weekend following flooding on the 2nd February 2024. 6-Feb-2024
Full story >>

New Flash Floods and Landslides on Tristan
Heavy rain and landslides on the 2nd February 2024 caused flooding in many homes and blocked the road to the Patches. 3-Feb-2024
Full story >>

Heavy Rainstorm, 30th April 2021
Exceptionally heavy rain fed cascades in the cliffs behind village and caused flooding in the island store. 30-Apr-2021
Full story >>

Progress Report on Storm Damage at St Mary's School, March 2020
Photo report on the state of the school in January 2020, with an update on the situation in March. 19-Mar-2020
Full story >>