 The system affected the Northern Vanuatu Islands between January 10 – 11 and was the fourth major tropical cyclone to affect the island nation since 1985 , after Severe Tropical Cyclones Eric , Nigel and Uma . Ahead of Anne affecting Vanuatu , various alerts and warnings were issued including a hurricane warning . During January 10 , the cyclone directly passed over the Torres Islands and came within 65 km ( 40 mi ) of the Banks Islands , although it missed Vanuatu 's most populated districts around Port Vila and the rest of Espiritu Santo . Within Vanuatu , over 1600 people were made homeless while wind gusts of up to 225 km / h ( 140 mph ) were recorded . Torrential rain , flooding and storm surge caused damage to houses , crops and property while triggering a landslide on the island of Epi . The hardest hit area was <unk> Province with severe damage recorded on the islands of Ureparapara and the Torres Islands , while extensive damage was recorded on the islands of Vanua Lava and <unk> . Within the province , virtually the whole population lost their houses , as well as their cash crops . There were reports of 4 – 5 m ( 13 – 16 ft ) tidal waves , washing away houses on the west coast of Ureparapara , while significant wave heights of over 11 m ( 36 ft ) were recorded . Within the province of <unk> , severe damage was recorded on Espiritu Santo after Anne flooded huts , unroofed school buildings , uprooted coconut trees and destroyed the main wharf . Overall the total damages from Anne in Vanuatu , were estimated at US $ 500 thousand . 
