The storm is leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
The storm is leaving widespread destruction in its wake
Cyclone Evan hit Samoa on Dec 13, causing flash floods and damage across the country. The main airport has been affected, and many areas evacuated. It left a death toll of at least four with a further eight people missing. Electricity and phone lines are down across much of the country, although mobile phone networks are still working.
The storm has since intensified from a Category 2 to a Category 4. Yesterday it powered across Wallis and Futuna, two small French islands, and since last night, nothing had been heard from them. The northern islands of Tonga felt the impact of the storm as it moved towards Fiji. It has since struck Fiji with wind speeds of about 166 km per hour (103 mph). Power is out and a lockdown is in force for the northwestern Fijian town of Labasa.
Flash flooding has destroyed a number of homes. The province of Bua had opened evacuation points and a curfew had also been placed over the northern divison. Fiji authorities reported just over 800 people had already moved into evacuation centres.
Information from Stuff.co.nz
