Tidal surges and high tides flood outer islands. Pohnpei (19 Dec), Kosrae (24 Dec), Chuuk and Yap (26 Dec) declare emergencies.

What happened

Unusually high tides and surges washed over low islands in all four states. In Pohnpei’s outer islands people lost staple crops and their livelihood; in Kosrae homes and businesses in Tafunsak and Lelu flooded and residents were evacuated; Yap’s outer islands faced erosion and food shortages.