Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu: Aussies trapped in Fiji as category three cyclone wreaks havoc: ‘Didn’t feel safe’

Exclusive: Melanie Harris arrived in Fiji this week hoping for a serene tropical vacation, but instead she’s stuck on the edge of a Category 3 cyclone.

Severe tropical cyclone Vaianu has caused extensive damage to the western side of the island, near the tourist center of Nadi.

Harris and her son are currently staying in a hotel about an hour south of Nadi and witnessed the “terrifying” force of the cyclone.

“The wind is loud, relentless and completely unpredictable,” Harris told nine.com.au.

“You can hear it constantly, even through the walls.

“It just puts you on edge.”

Fiji has been hit by high winds and rain, and local authorities have issued flash flood warnings in several provinces.

Harris said that while eating dinner last night at the resort where she is staying, she heard objects being thrown around in damaging winds.

She also reported multiple power outages at the resort, which were especially alarming at night.

“Everything suddenly goes dark and the wind is still howling outside,” she said.

“It just didn’t feel safe.”

It was difficult to reassure her son and stay calm herself.

“At one point my son slipped on the wet tiles in the wild weather and hit his head, which was absolutely terrifying,” Harris said.

‘You’re already tense, and then something like this happens.

“It just takes everything to another level.”

Nearly all of the activities and day trips Harris had booked have been canceled and she is awaiting refunds.

Hotel staff were helpful but appear overwhelmed and under-resourced, Harris claimed.

“They have almost downplayed the cyclone and don’t have much information to give,” she said.

Harris struggles to sleep and fears the situation could escalate without warning.

Tomorrow she plans to move to another hotel in a more protected location.

She just hopes that the cyclone will not affect her flight to Australia on Sunday.

A flight from Sydney to Fiji was diverted to Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa yesterday due to bad weather and travelers are warned to expect significant disruption.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has urged travelers to be on high alert, warning parts of the country could be devastated by high winds, heavy rain and flash flooding.

Another tropical cyclone, Cyclone Maila, is currently tracking the Solomon Islands and could hit Papua New Guinea.

The Category 3 storm could still hit Australia, experts warn.

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