article_snippet: #CyclonePam still tearing through #Vanuatu. '
article_snippet: In #CyclonePam 8 a.m. Saturday update, the Vanuatu Meteorological Services warned of "very destructive hurricane force winds" of 155 mph (250 kilometers per hour) in Shefa and Tafea provinces, with several others facing "very rough to phenomenal seas with heavy swells.
article_snippet: the cyclone has dumped more than 9 inches of rain on Vanuatu's capital in a 36-hour period and has wind gusts of up to 190 mph (305 kph).
article_snippet: the Vanuatu Meteorological Services could bring heavy rainfall to North Island, including Auckland.
article_snippet: The capital, the biggest city in the Vanuatu island chain, sits on the coastline, which is vulnerable to storm surges during powerful cyclones.
article_snippet: Even before the sun rose Saturday, Vanuatu was already getting hit hard, with most communication and power cut off due to the storm.
highlights_snippet: Storm has made a direct hit on the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila .