Authorities in Samoa have been assessing damage from Cyclone Gita, which was upgraded to a category three storm last night as it headed towards Niue.
It was expected to pass just east of Niue, lashing the country with gale force winds.
Restoring power, clearing roads and supporting people affected by Cyclone Gita is the focus for Samoa emergency officials but no deaths or injuries have been reported.
Photo: Samoa Land Transport Authority
A state of disaster has been declared in the country in the wake of Cyclone Gita.
Samoa's National Disaster Committee met Saturday afternoon to discuss the status and effects of damage caused by the category two cyclone.
The committee said the Electric Power Corporation was working overtime to restore power to areas around the country, asking people to please be patient as they attempt to fix downed power lines.
Strong winds caused damage to power lines across Samoa, cutting electricity to thousands of households.
Electricity has been restored in urban areas including Toomatagi, Vaivase, Faatoia, Moataa, Vaitele, Toamua, Puipaa, Faleula, Aleisa to part of Ululoloa, Siusega and Tuanaimato.
The Land Transport Authority was also working to clear roads for major arterial routes.
Photo: Samoa Land Transport Authority
Updates from the Samoa Tourism Authority for Savai'i indicate medium damage to beach fale accommodation with the major issues being electricity and telephone outages, and a lack of water supply in some areas.
For Upolu, in the Apia area Sheraton guests have been evacuated to Sheraton Mulifanua, Tanoa and Hotel Insel Fehrman.
Evacuation centres remain open for some 244 people who sought shelter.
Red Cross secretary general Namulauulu Tautala Mauala said they were providing blankets, clothing and medical attention, particularly to older evacuees.
The government said there had been no reports of any casualties as a result of Tropical Cyclone Gita.
The New Zealand government said an experienced emergency management adviser from New Zealand was in Samoa.
Minister of Civil Defence Kris Faafoi said a person with experience during emergencies was on the ground and ready to start work to help the response effort.
Police headquarters on Niue Photo: RNZI/Sally Round
Niue prepared for Gita in "the dead of the night"
New Zealand's High Commissioner to Niue, Ross Ardern, said locals were taking heed of the National Disaster Management Office's advice about tropical cyclone Gita and its likely impact.
"Businesses and houses have put up protective shutters following the office's first alert," he said.
The cyclone was a category two when it tore through Samoa and American Samoa bringing damaging winds and torrential rain and gathered momentum as it made its way towards Niue.
The Fiji met service said tropical Cyclone Gita is now a category three.
It said the cyclone shifted in the last few hours and would be more to the east of Niue as it passes it tonight, but it won't be as close as initially thought.
Meanwhile, Mr Ardern said they were experiencing the calm before the storm but that the National Disaster Management Office said Gita would make landfall during the night.
"We expect the cyclone to make its presence felt in the dead of the night. We are prepared for that."
"We understand what the potential for the cyclone is and we've had good communications with the emergency management office and with our own people in New Zealand as well," he said.
After Niue, Gita is forecast to head towards Tonga's densely populated and low-lying main island, Tongatapu, on Monday.
Fiji's capital, Suva. Photo: Ariela Zibiah
Fiji government issues a public advisory.
Fiji's National Disaster Management Office is advising the general public to examine their level of cyclone preparedness and to ensure that families and properties are ready for the cyclone.
T forecast track of Tropical Cyclone Gita may pass close to the south of Fiji in the next few days from Tongan waters.
The Fiji Meteorological Services has forecast that Tropical Cyclone Gita at this stage poses no direct threat to Fiji.
"Yet given that cyclone paths can defy forecast tracks, it is important to remain prepared at all times," the government said.
As precautionary acts of preparedness, members of the public are advised to:
- Ensure the strength of rooftops and walls
- Trim treetops and branches that may pose a danger to property
- Clear compounds or secure loose material that could be blown easily by strong winds and cause injury or damage to property
- Know where nearest evacuation centres are, or safe high ground is in case of storm surges, flooding, or extreme damages to property
- Have emergency contacts at the ready
- Prepare a family emergency kit to last for 3 days inclusive of:
- A portable, battery-powered radio, a torch, and spare batteries
- Dried or canned food and clean water containers
- A first aid kit
- Important documents
Members of the public are also advised to exercise caution as heavy rain and floods caused by Tropical Depression 08F affecting parts of Fiji.
In the event of a flood, members of the public should take heed of the following advice:
- Drivers and pedestrians should refrain from walking or driving through flood waters
- Caution should be exercised when travelling along hillsides or landslide-prone areas
- Parents and teachers are to ensure that infants and children do not play in flooded areas, drains, rivers, and other waterways
- Stay informed for regular updates on all media for further alerts or advisories from authorities
A strong wind warning is also in place for all Fiji waters.
Fiji authorities also advise all mariners to take heed of the strong wind warning especially for small fishing boats to avoid venturing into fishing activities as rough seas and heavy rain will be experienced.
In the past there have been experiences where lives are lost at sea due to people's negligence to take heed of the warnings.
Members of the public are further advised to stay informed through regular news bulletins on the radio and on official social media sites of various authorities.