Transcript
A local youth worker Vanessa Heleta volunteering with the Red Cross says every second house they have passed in Tongatapu has either been totally destroyed or damaged by the cyclone.
She says people in the communities they are visiting are absolutely devastated by the damage and destruction to their homes.
"We are seeing shops that the rooftops have been uprooted all their goods are exposed. We are seeing floods and also a lot of branches and a lot of electric lines. We have talked to some women this morning their priorities are water, blankets and foood."
One resident in the capital Joshua Saveeti described the scene as people in his neighbourhood emerged from their shelters after what he says was a terrifying night.
The managing editor of online newsite Matangi Tonga, Mary Fonua says she has not seen a storm like this in decades.
Graham Kenna from Tonga's National Emergency Management Office says historic buildings have been badly damaged or destroyed and the landmark tree near to the palace has been destroyed.
According to the latest reports from Nuku Alofa several thousand people are already being housed in evacuation centres.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has pledged an initial 50 thousand New Zealand dollars to help storm ravaged Tonga.
Ms Ardern says the needs for further aid are still being worked out and preparations are underway.
As Tonga begins its clean up the southern most islands of Ono i Lau in Fiji are bracing for what could be an even stronger Cyclone Gita with gusts predicted to reach 295 km hour over the afternoon as the system continues to move west.
Fiji's Disaster Management Office says it is anticipating Topical Cyclone Gita to make landfall in Fiji by 6pm this evening.
The Director for Fiji's National Disaster Management Office Anare Leweniqila, says two islands in Fiji's southern waters in the cyclone's direct path Ono-I-Lau and Vatoa have 2500 people living on Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa.
"We hve identified two islands in the southern Lau group that will be facing a direct hit, that is Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa and surrounding nearby islands will be likely to be facing a storm wind. Those two islands are likely to be facing the cyclone, the Cat 5, the full brunt of the Cat 5 winds."
He says preparations are well underway with evacuation centres identified and food and water supplies being gathered.
