16 Dec 2012

Full extent of cyclone damage not yet known

10:47 am on 16 December 2012

The full extent of the damage from Cyclone Evan in Samoa is still to be known because many outlying areas cannot yet be reached.

The death toll is at four, with eight missing. A state of disaster was declared on Thursday.

Disaster management teams are now making their way to rural communities for the first time since the cyclone.

It is raining in much of Samoa, but the weather is calm.

Prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele said there could be food shortages next year because of the destruction of crops.

Much of the water supply was damaged by flooding. The main power station on Upolo is damaged.

About 4000 people spent another night in emergency shelters at the National University, schools, hospital and sports facilities.