A boy called Samuel kicks a ball as his father Phillip searches through the ruins of their home which was destroyed by Cyclone Pam in Port Vila, Vanuatu, in the South Pacific Ocean on Monday. Photo by Dave Hunt/Pool/Reuters

Cyclone Pam, with winds of more than 185 mph, flattened homes, washed out roads and knocked out power to the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu over the weekend, and relief organizations were rushing to respond on Monday.

Eight people were reported dead, but authorities feared the number would grow as more rescuers searched the islands. About 10,000 people had to evacuate their homes.

Local resident Uwen Garae stands in his home damaged by Cyclone Pam in Port Vila, the capital city of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Photo by Dave Hunt/Pool/Reuters

It was the strongest storm to make landfall since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013.

Military flights from Australia and New Zealand were bringing water, sanitation kits and shelters to the islands. Relief organizations, including Stamford, Connecticut-based AmeriCares, also were mobilizing supplies and medical volunteers from NYC Medics to help.

An aerial view on Monday, shows homes destroyed by Cyclone Pam in Port Vila, the capital of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Photo by Dave Hunt/Pool/Reuters

With 65 inhabited islands, its a real challenge getting supplies to where theyre most needed, said Garrett Ingoglia, vice president of AmeriCares emergency response. Typhoon Haiyan was challenging because it hit a whole series of islands. But this is even more challenging with less infrastructure and more islands, and more population affected.

Children stand in front of debris on a street near their homes after Cyclone Pam hit. Photo by Kris Paras/Reuters

The medics and supply teams were planning to fly to Brisbane, Australia, and figure out how to get to the islands from there, he said. They were bringing medications such as pain killers and antibiotics to help with injuries and prevent water-borne illnesses.

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Photos: Isolated islands thrashed by Cyclone Pam challenge relief efforts