Funafala

At the time the cyclone struck, he was the sole inhabitant of Fongafale; Tema, the Samoan missionary, had taken everyone else to Funafala to work on erecting a church.

The buildings on Fongafale were destroyed, including the church and the trade stores of George Westbrook and Alfred Restieaux.

Little damage had occurred at Funafala, and the people returned to rebuild at Fongafale.

[7] Cyclone Bebe knocked down 90% of the houses and trees on the island, and the storm surge created a wall of coral rubble along the ocean side of Fongafale and Funafala that was about 10 miles (16 km) long, and about 10 feet (3.0 m) to 20 feet (6.1 m) thick at the bottom.

[7][8] As a result of the system's storm surge and flooding, drinking water sources across the island were contaminated.