Steadily intensifying as it moved to the east and subsequently south, Funa reached peak intensity with 10-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph).

On January 14, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) reported that Tropical Disturbance 10F had developed within a monsoonal trough of low pressure about 700 km (435 mi) to the northwest of Port Vila in Vanuatu.

[3] Over the next day, vertical wind shear surrounding the system relaxed, while atmospheric convection wrapped into the disturbances rapidly consolidating low level circulation centre.

Severe damage occurred over the groups of islands in the Torba, Sanma, and Penama provinces of Vanuatu, particularly on dwellings (made of local material), trees, and crops.

On Mota Lava and Rah Island, as well as Gaua, bungalows, resorts, and restaurants along the coast were either washed away or inundated by sea flooding, according to their provincial council reports.

Most schools in the Torba and Penama provinces sustained major damages to classrooms and other semi-permanent structures, while other buildings had their roofs ripped off.