WATCH the view from a hotel room on Denarau Island in Fiji as Brisbane couple Joanne Foster and Brendon Taylor wait for the cyclone to hit
AN AUSTRALIAN couple are in lock-down at a hotel on Denarau Island, in Fiji's west, waiting for the worst of Cyclone Evan to hit.
Australian Joanne Foster who is holidaying in Fiji with partner Brendon Taylor said the hotel had sandbagged along the seafront and warned guests to stay in their rooms.
"I would like the sandbagging to be a little bit higher than it is, but they can't be that concerned," said Ms Foster, of Brisbane.
"We are OK at the moment, it's just like a normal storm in Brisbane, but it's starting to pick up.
"It's mainly wind and rain. The hotel is fairly confident we will be OK, it's one of the more modern hotels. They are a little bit concerned about a storm surge on the ground floor."
Cyclone Evan has ripped through Fiji with flooding and structural damage.
The couple arrived in Fiji on Saturday for a well-needed break, only to fly into a storm.
"We have essentially come to Fiji for a cyclone, we leave on Thursday," she said.
"It's supposed to get worse here by the afternoon so the hotel is waiting to see if they will serve dinner in the ballroom or bring food to our rooms."
People walk through debris in Samoa's capital Apia on Friday after cyclone Evan ripped through the South Pacific island nation.
At the Sofitel on Denarau Island, all guests have been evacuated into the ballroom with bedding.
Erica Greg, of Brisbane, said they were told it was the only safe refuge in the hotel.
"People have made up beds and are making themselves comfortable, playing cards and singing," she said.
"No one is allowed to stay in their rooms. I was worried before but I feel safe now."
Fijian authorities scrambled to evacuate residents from low-lying areas as a monster cyclone approaches.
While the break is far from ideal for these Australians, they are faring better than most with power outages and flooding reported on the main island of Viti Levu.
Thousands of people have fled to evacuation centres in Fiji as authorities warn to "prepare for the worst'' from the powerful category four cyclone.
Earlier, Australian Schoolie revellers were evacuated as a potentially catastrophic cyclone closes in on the island nation.
Unleashed Travel, which organises school leavers' trips to the tropical paradise, announced on its Facebook page the last of its Schoolies guests had secured flights out of Nadi Airport after 6pm yesterday.
"We can now confirm that all schoolies are on a flight out of Fiji. Thanks for everyone's patience and understand in these trying times,'' the Facebook post reads.
Relieved parents took to the social media website to thank the travel company for organising the swift exit.
It comes after party resort Plantation Island was among holiday spots evacuated as Cyclone Evan neared the Fijian coast.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said a mass SMS was sent to 2100 Australians registered in Fiji advising them follow advice from local authorities.
"High Commission staff are also in contact with island resorts where Australians are likely to be and have indicated that those resorts are evacuating guests to the mainland in advance of the stormfront.
Cyclone Evan left thousands of Samoans homeless over the weekend as the island nation of Fiji also braced for the storm. Lindsey Parietti reports.
"Those travelling to or from Fiji should check with airlines first to ensure that flights are still operational,'' the spokesperson said in a statement.
Australia has pledged to assist the Fijian Government if required.
It comes after at least four people were killed by Cyclone Evan after it smashed through Samoa, leaving a path of destruction on the Pacific island nation.
Budget airline Jetstar has cancelled its flights to and from Fiji.
"Safety remains Jetstar's number one priority. We will continue to monitor the activity of Cyclone Evan to assess its impact on flight operations and provide further updates as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience,'' a statement on the airline's Facebook page said.
The New Zealand Air Force will continue its search for eight fishermen missing off Samoa after Cyclone Evan hit, as people in Fiji brace themselves for the severe storm.
Four people died and eight fishermen from three boats are still missing after the cyclone ripped through Samoa last week.
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand says the P3 Orion and French Navy will continue to search for the men today.
Fiji residents have been evacuated as category four tropical cyclone Evan hits the Pacific islands.
"Damaging" swells will hit some northern coastal areas and flooding is expected, it says.
At the centre of the cyclone winds are reaching 170km/h with gusts of more than 230km/h.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is urging Aussies to stay alert and informed.
''We encourage Australians in Fiji to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments,'' DFAT said in its latest travel advice.
It also urged them to review and follow hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans.
''You should carry your travel documents at all times or secure them in a safe, waterproof location,'' it said.
''We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts.''
The government is urging people worried about loved ones in Fiji to contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135.
The Fijian government fear it could prove as devastating as Cyclone Kina, which killed 23 people and left thousands homeless in 1993.
Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama warned the storm is an ''impending disaster'' as his government moved to open more than 200 evacuation centres.
After crossing Samoa, Evan intensified as it ploughed through the Pacific and forecasters said destructive winds could reach nearly 300km/h by the time it hits Fiji early Monday.
Government officials fear it could be as devastating as Cyclone Kina, which killed 23 people and left thousands homeless in 1993.
Tourists in luxury resorts on outlying islands were being ferried to the mainland, while Fiji's main airline, Air Pacific, said it had either cancelled or rescheduled its Monday flights.
Philip Duncan, head analyst with the WeatherWatch.co.nz meteorological service, said Fiji could expect to be walloped by the storm, with the prospect of flash flooding and mudslides.
"Gusts may end up climbing to 280km/ per hour or greater around the centre of Evan," Duncan said.
"Some small, low-lying communities and resorts may suffer catastrophic damage and some small islands may be entirely submerged as the storm and storm surge roll by."
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Canberra was offering financial aid as well as expert personnel and supplies.
"We're going to work with other nations including New Zealand and France, in doing what we can to save lives, and support search and rescue," he said.
Meanwhile, it could be some days before the full extent of the cyclone damage in Samoa is known because of the difficulty reaching outlying islands.
About 4500 people have been forced to remain in emergency shelters after Evan destroyed houses and damaged electricity and fresh water supplies, Samoan officials said.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele also warned of possible food shortages next year because of the destruction of crops.
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