Evacuations Ordered in Fiji As Cyclone Evan Hits the Island Chain

Authorities in Fiji have ordered evacuations across the archipelago after Cyclone Evan hit its shores late Sunday.

The category four storm has caused flooding in parts of Fiji after devastating Samoa where it killed three, left eight missing and left over three thousand without homes.

Residents in the international airport town of Nadi have been urged to evacuate. Nadi has been severely flooded twice in the last year and now residents of Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Yasawa, Lautoka, Korolevu, Beqa and Kadavu have also been urged to evacuate.

"I cannot stress how serious this is -- every Fijian will be affected," Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Saturday. "If the weather forecasters are correct it will affect Fiji in a very damaging way, bringing about destructive winds and flooding."

According to New Zealand website Stuff.co.nz, power has already been cut in several areas of the island chain including the capital Suva. All flights into and within Fiji have all been cancelled as well. According to the Miami Herald, 3,500 people evacuated to emergency shelters.

Evan is moving southwest at about 20 kilometers an hour with winds at the center averaging 185 kmh with gusts of up to 270 kmh.