Highlights
Humanity Road activated its response for Cyclone Winston on Friday, February 19, 2016, in advance of landfall. Below is our first situation report with local social media account information. After passing through Fiji and Tonga as a smaller and less intense storm,
Tropical Cyclone Winston made a turn and headed back west towards Tonga and Fiji. As of 20 February (local FJT time), forecasts from Fiji Meteorological Services lay the path of the cyclone directly over Viti Levu (the main island of Fiji) and parts of Lomaiviti. (source)
As of 21 Feb, most communications are down on Koro and Taveuni Islands, in the Northern Division, but there are some unconfirmed reports of damage that have come through. Communications are also out on Vanuabalavu, Lakeba, Cicia and Nayau in the Lau Group. There are some reports of damage on Koro, Taveuni, Ovalau, and Vanua Leva Islands. The north coast of Viti Levu, especially Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, and Nadi were also impacted.
Situation Overview
Background
After passing through Fiji and Tonga as a smaller and less intense storm, Tropical Cyclone Winston made a turn and headed back west towards Tonga and Fiji. As of 20 February, forecasts from Fiji Meteorological Services lay the path of the cyclone directly over Viti Levu (the main island of Fiji) and parts of Lomaiviti. (source)
As of 21 Feb, most communications are down on Koro and Taveuni Islands, in the Northern Division, but there are some unconfirmed reports of damage that have come through.
Communications are also out on Vanuabalavu, Lakeba, Cicia and Nayau in the Lau Group.
There are some reports of damage on Koro, Taveuni, Ovalau, and Vanua Leva Islands. The north coast of Viti Levu, especially Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, and Nadi were also impacted.
Significant Updates (most recent first)
21 Feb:
● 11:00 JFT - Ba Mission Hospital chairman says it's a "war zone" and can't recognise the town. (source)
● 09:15 JFT - Flooding at Bua Hospital, Vanua Leva (source)
● 08:00 JFT - Heavy damage reported at Tulani resort on Koro Island. Most phones are not working, so not much information is known. (source)
● 07:00 FJT - Report of damage in Tavua - "heavy rain n strong winds continue.10 houses damaged.few partly, livestock n farms destroyed" - Fane, Tavua. (source)
● 07:00 FJT - Nationwide curfew still in place today. (source)
● 02:54 FJT - Reports that Savusavu (Vanua Leva) has been badly damaged. Some parts of the road at Urata village in Savusavu have been washed out causing difficulties for DISMAC team to go to the other side of the town. 133 people that were stranded in Savusavu town have been evacuated to Yaroi village hall and church. (source)
● 00:35 FJT - Tidal waves have caused damage in Tokou Village in Levuka, Ovalau Island.
More than 10 houses destroyed by winds. (source)
20 Feb:
● 22:53 FJT - Bua - the villages of Waitabu in Nabouwalu and Tacilevu in Bua are currently flooded with seawater. The hospital wards in Bua are flooded with rain water as the morgue is also not functional due to power shutdown with two bodies already inside it. (source)
● 20:50 FJT - Reported landfall on Viti Levu
19:00 FJT - Koro Island - “in Navaga village, of the 54 houses, only 4 are left standing.” (source)
● 17:40 FJT - Cabinet declares State of Natural Disaster for the whole Nation for a period of 30 days beginning from today. (source)
● 17:15 FJT - Koro Island - report that 5 teacher’s quarters in Nabasovi village have been destroyed. “All the people’s houses have been damaged and the trees have broken branches and roofing irons are flying around everywhere.” (source)
● 16:33 FJT - All communications are down at the moment on the Islands of Vanuabalavu,
Lakeba, Cicia and Nayau in the Lau Group. (source)
● 16:30 FJT - The National Disaster Management has advised that a total public curfew will take effect across the country today from 6.00pm. (source)
● Divisional Commissioner North and Head of the DISMAC operation in the North Division,
Jovesa Vocea, has directed that the Savusavu and Labasa Towns will be closed from 2pm today until further notice. (source)
● 12:20 FJT - Koro Island - “No communication on Koro Island... primary school ripped off and all roofs in the village.” (source)
● Vanuabalavu - From Care Australia staff, Winston "Passed over Vanuabalavu, widespread damage, wind 94knts, coconut trees lost crowns". (source)
● 12:00 FJT - Winston has changed course and is now expected to pass in between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. (source)