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There are now more than 10,000 people sheltered in evacuation centres around Fiji, with the largest number of people displaced by Hurricane Tomas in the northern division.
Weather officials say however that the north has seen the worst of Tomas and expect winds to die down by later today.
There are 6,887 people in 118 evacuation centres in the north with 1,535 people in 38 centres in the western division.
Eighteen centres in the central division are home right now to 1,290 evacuees while 18 people are housed in 389 centres in the eastern division.
Thomas is currently stationed directly over the Lau group with all communication links to the group down, including COMSAT satellite links.
Northern Lau is being lashed by storm-to-hurricane force winds.
Director of Meteorology Rajendra Prasad said Hurricane Tomas intensified only slightly overnight with winds increasing from 90 to 95 knots (approximately 170 kilometres per hour) but has peaked off in intensity since.
The hurricane is expected to maintain peak intensity for 12 hours or so before commencing a gradual weakening trend. However, it should maintain its category three hurricane strength until after leaving Fiji waters.
While winds over the northern division are expected to decrease slowly today and rain easing, the central division can expect marginal gale force winds of 35 knots with gusts to 45 knots today with periods of rain. Some flash flooding is possible but not on a large scale, Prasad said.
Rakiraki and Sigatoka should also experience strong to near gale force winds of up to 30knots with gusts to 40 knots and periods of rain.
The rest of the western division should experience some fresh to strong winds of up to 25 knots and occasional rain while no flooding is expected.
