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Cyclone Mick headed out of Fiji waters early this morning leaving behind a trail of destruction.
The category 2 cyclone, Fiji’s first this summer, went through the main island last night and on its current path, is expected to be located about 175km South-South East of Suva or about 130km East-South East of Kadavu at around 9am today.
A gale force warning is in force for Lomaiviti, Moala and the Lau group.
For Vatulele, Beqa, Kadavu and nearby islands, destructive storm force winds with average speeds of 90 to 100km per hour with momentary gusts to 150km per hour are expected.
Tropical Cyclone Mick is moving southeast at 20km per hour.
The National Disaster Management Office has set up temporary shelters around the country and is expected to release its latest statistics at daylight.
While those in the central division are expecting further devastation by flooding at high tide later today, the western division has reported damages to homes, schools and plantations.
Altogether, 35 evacuation centres have been set up between Rakiraki and Sigatoka in Viti Levu’s west.
In Lautoka, DISMAC spokesman Taniela Wacokecoke confirms that 81 people are homeless and taking refuge in the temporary shelters.
Six homes (permanent dwellings) have been destroyed - three in Viwa, Yasawa Islands and three in Nadarivatu in the Viti Levu highlands.
In the Ba Province, 21 buildings have been destroyed; this includes one home in Toge, 13 homes in Drala and seven high schools.
Schools that have suffered damages are Yasawa High School and Naloto District Schoool in Toge.
DISMAC has also reported damages to the Naloto crossing and debris strewn along roads in the western division while there are broken power poles in many parts of Ba.
Water has receded at the Ba River and other water ways in the area.
In Navua, most parts remain flooded while rising water levels at the Rewa River has forced many out of their homes at the Rewa delta.
