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Winds batter coconut palms in Fiji. Photo courtesy of Courtland Lee - Source: ONE News -
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Fiji's Disaster Management Centre says it is expecting significant damage from Cyclone Tomas as gusts up to 270 km/h batter the island nation.
The centre says communications are down and power on the second largest island, Vanua Levu, has been turned off for security reasons.
The cyclone has destroyed homes and caused significant damage to water and power supplies in parts of northern Fiji.
The Fiji Times is reporting that emergency services are trying to evacuate 18 patients from a hospital on Tavenui Island, east of Vanua Levu, after part of the hospital's roof was blown away.
Radio Fiji deputy editor Elenoa Osborne says the cyclone is causing huge waves of up to eight metres, forcing the evacuation of three entire villages. A woman drowned after battling to save others in massive waves pounding a beach off Vanua Levu.
River levels in northern parts of Vanua Levu have reached unprecendented levels and rescue teams have been sent to low-lying areas to assess bridges and crossings, according to the Fiji Times.
Fiji's Disaster Management Centre has confirmed it is setting up emergency morgues around the country.
Villagers on the island of Lakeba, one of the outer islands in Fiji feeling the wrath of cyclone Tomas, have been told to take to the hills and shelter in caves.
Fiji's Disaster Management says all contact has been lost with the nearby island of Cikobia, which has been feeling the full force of the cyclone.
Weather watch analyst Philip Duncan says the cyclone is slow moving and will cause major damage over the next 18 hours.
A curfew imposed on Sunday night has been temporarily lifted to give people a chance to stock up on supplies.
The cyclone is expected to build power over the next twelve hours.
Prime Minister John Key says officials are closely monitoring the cyclone's impact and any offer of support from New Zealand will be discussed with Fijian authorities before a decision is made.
He says anyone planning on travelling to Fiji or to the Solomon Islands should keep a close eye on the Safe Travel website.
At least 470 New Zealanders are known to be in Fiji, but the Foreign Affairs Ministry says there may be more out there who haven't been in touch with them.
Meanwhile, cyclone Ului, now at category five, is sweeping across the Solomon Islands and heading towards Australia's east coast.
Both cyclones are stronger than Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans in 2005.
Travel
All flights in and out of Fiji have been cancelled as the cyclone bears down on the northern part of the island group.
Kiwis with immediate travel plans to Fiji are being advised to contact their airline or travel agent.
Marie Pilkington from Flight Centre says hotels and resorts are taking precautions.
"Some island resorts are bringing their clients onto the mainland to ensure their safety."
The cyclone has also forced the closure of New Zealand High Commission in Suva and it is not expected to reopen until Wednesday.
New Zealanders in Fiji are being advised to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Do you have images or video of the storm? Email them to us at news@tvnz.co.nz
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