Families and communities in the North began moving to evacuation centres.

At Sangam Primary School in Labasa, Sofi Diyalowai of Tuatua Branch Road said they felt their home shaking which prompted their move.

Ms Diyalowai, a referee by profession said two-year-old, Nicholas Koroikarawa was the youngest and her brother Iowane Bonakeli, 43, was the eldest in the family of 15.

“I don’t think we will able to see the same condition of the house when we return home after this TC Yasa,” she said.

“That is our family house and it has been in existence for more than three decades.”

At Labasa Sangam College, Alanieta Disa of Namara Village said: “We are just praying to Jesus to help us survive through this TC Yasa and remain safe.

“My husband and son quickly secured the house in the morning and told me rush to the school with the belongings.

“We had a family meeting and decided that lives were more important than staying in a house.”

At All Saints Secondary School, Nacani Nabaro of Vunivaisavi Settlement, was seen carrying a mattress to the school.

The 41-year-old cassava farmer said he was afraid to learn that Tropical Cyclone Yasa was a Category 5 like Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“I have six children and as soon as heavy rain began we decided to move out of the house,” Mr Nabaro said.

“Seems like this natural disaster will not spare anyone.”

Meanwhile, the Emergency Operation Centre in Labasa confirmed that by midday yesterday, ten schools in the Macuata Province were activated as evacuation centres.

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