A HARCOURT man who stayed in a beachside hotel in Fiji throughout a category four cyclone on Monday night said it “seemed to go on forever”.
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Kye Livingstone spent the night at a beachside hotel called Smugglers Cove near mainland city Nadi, as Cyclone Evan lashed the Fijian coastline.
He said the clean-up operation was beginning to take shape despite there being no power, telecommunications or running water since early yesterday.
Mr Livingstone said he was not fearful during the cyclone, in which 270-kilometre winds ripped up branches, uprooted trees and caused widespread damage to buildings.
He said the winds hit their peak at about 6pm.
“We had an open upstairs area and if you stood in the open wind the rain would really hurt.
“Looking into the wind was almost impossible as the rain hit so hard it would sting your eyes.
“Some gusts would be powerful enough to unbalance you and make you grab for the rail so you didn’t fall over.”
Mr Livingstone said a lot of the beach near his hotel had eroded away.
“The beach is covered in weed and there are palm branches everywhere.
“Everyone just wants the power and water to be restored now.”
He said his hotel had internet connection but only limited tank water.
Mr Livingstone has one more night planned in Nadi before heading to Pacific Harbour near Suva.
“My friend has a resort there and we will help with the clean-up there if needed,” he said.