Alyono wrote:where in the world did I say Pam was a mid grade TS? I said the obs in Port Vila were sustained TS. Check them for yourself before you put words in my mouth
Also, the codes CANNOT be designed to withstand cat 3 winds. You think we're dealing with Grand Cayman? Many buildings have tin roofs! It's an impoverished nation and the construction reflects that. Many homes could not survive a low end TS.
I'm interested if there are any obs in the more southern islands that got the eastern eyewall. That would provide a better estimate regarding the intensity
Actually, even though building codes are weaker than in other countries, the destruction defies that.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/ehGXT88.jpg)
![Image](http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/81672000/jpg/_81672272_026344314-1.jpg)
And finally an article. http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-vanuatu-conditions-more-difficult-than-philippines-typhoon-2015-3