Tropical cyclone Gita has moved away from Fiji but it has lashed the Southern Lau islands. Here's what you need to know.
- Find out the latest on our live blog,
Fiji
- Communications cut to Ono-I-Lau and Vatoa islands, restored Thursday at earliest
- No doctors on Vatoa and Ono-I-Lau
- Those islands thought to have been hit by 275km/h winds and storm surges, other Southern Lau group and rest of Fiji avoided the worst
- Cyclone moving west out into open waters
Tonga
- Capital Nuku'alofa severely damaged, power and water out, many landmark buildings destroyed
- Power turned off for 75,000 residents in Tongatapu
- Police confirmed 72-year-old man from Fuaamotu was rushed to the hospital last night, but died of a heart attack before arrival, and the director of health said the cyclone could have contributed to his death
- Tongan MP Lord Fusitu'a, who lives near the centre of Tongatapu, said another woman also died after her house blew away
- Police also confirmed three major injuries and 30 minor injuries on Tongatapu as a result of Gita
- All airports in Tonga closed due to damage and disruption
- Disaster assessment teams say water, shelter and food are the immediate needs for people there
- Tongan Met Office roof in Tongatapu ripped off, equipment affected and offices evacuated
- A Catholic church completely destroyed
- State of emergency declared to help prevent loss of life and damage to property
- New Zealand's government has pledged $750,000 to help rescue and relief operations and an RNZAF C130 Hercules, carrying emergency relief supplies, will fly to Tonga
- Australian government is providing $US274,000 dollars worth of emergency aid and life-saving equipment including emergency shelter, kitchen and hygiene kits to assist over 2000 people in need
- Australia also released humanitarian supplies, including tarpaulins and water purification tablets, to be delivered through the Tongan Red Cross
American Samoa and Samoa
- Massive cleanup under way across Samoa and American Samoa
- Fears about sanitation and the spread of mosquito-borne dengue fever
- People advised to boil all water
- Schools closed
- Emergency teams working to restore power and running water to thousands of households
New Caledonia and Vanuatu
- People in both countries have been advised to be aware of the possible impacts of Gita and listen to updates from meteorological services in those countries
