SUVA, Fiji – Fiji began a massive clean-up on Sunday, February 21, after the most powerful cyclone in its history battered the Pacific island nation, leaving a trail of destruction.
The Category 5 super-storm lashed the popular tourist destination overnight Saturday, February 20, packing wind gusts approaching 300 kilometers (185 miles) per hour, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
At least one man was killed by flying debris on Koro Island, the Fijivillage news website reported, with aid agencies saying it was too early to assess the impact on other remote islands.
Severe tropical cyclone Winston is the only Category 5 storm system to ever hit Fiji.
"It is being described as one of the most powerful in recorded history... as a nation, we are facing an ordeal of the most grievous kind," Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said in a national address late Saturday.
Bainimarama declared a state of natural disaster, to remain in place for one month, and the government imposed a curfew "to ensure the safety of all Fijians".
Falling trees cut power and blocked roads on the main island of Viti Levu, where all flights were cancelled as high winds buffeted Nadi international airport.
Many residents spent the night huddled in evacuation centers where they were given food and water.
Suva resident Danny Southcombe said the capital escaped the brunt of the storm but was still brought to a standstill.
"It's not too bad here in Suva. We weren't that badly damaged, just a few panels flew off the house," he told Agence France-Presse.
"It's pretty calm now but when I look around all I can see is trees on the road."
The acting head of the Red Cross' Pacific office Ahmad Sami said a proper damage assessment would take time.
"But we anticipate that humanitarian needs will be very high," he told Agence France-Presse.
"This is the first time that Fiji has experienced a cyclone of this magnitude in their history, a category five, so we're still trying to find out the figures."
He said priorities were restoring power and repairing damaged homes, as well as maintaining drinking water supplies in more than 700 evacuation centers.
Winston has been moving around the South Pacific for a week, skirting around Vanuatu and Tonga and has previously taken aim at Fiji before veering away.
The Fiji Meteorological Office said it had moved out to sea about 230 kilometers west of Nadi by mid-morning Sunday, although the islands could still expect strong winds, heavy rains and powerful swells. – Rappler.com