People walk through debris in Samoa's capital Apia on Friday after cyclone Evan ripped through the South Pacific island nation. Source: AP
NEARLY 700 teenage schoolies are among thousands of Australians bracing for monster Cyclone Evan's arrival in Fiji.
Fijian authorities are scrambling to evacuate people from low-lying areas amid warnings the category 4 tropical cyclone could wreak catastrophic damage.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr says there are 2100 Australians registered with the government as currently being in Fiji, with many more believed to be unregistered.
The 2100 includes 680 schoolies travelling as part of organised tour groups, a spokesman for Senator Carr said today.
''Those 680 have all been accounted for, none of them are wandering about by themselves,'' the spokesman told AAP.
Some of those schoolies managed to get out of the country today but many more could not get flights, reports suggest.
Tour groups have been ferrying many of them from outlying islands to the main island of Viti Levu.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is urging Aussies to stay alert and informed.
''We encourage Australians in Fiji to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments,'' DFAT said in its latest travel advice issued today.
It also urged them to review and follow hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans.
''You should carry your travel documents at all times or secure them in a safe, waterproof location,'' it said.
''We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts.''
The government is urging people worried about loved ones in Fiji to contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135.
At least four people were killed when Evan slammed into Samoa, with the toll expected to rise after eight men were reported missing on three fishing boats.
Thousands more were left homeless and Australia's High Commission was damaged, forcing its temporary closure.
Senator Carr's spokesman says Australia's offer of assistance was ''warmly received'' by the Samoan government and an AusAID official is in the capital Apia to assess the damage and humanitarian needs.
Evan intensified as it moved through the Pacific and forecasters said destructive winds could reach nearly 300km/h by the time it hits Fiji early on Monday.
The Fijian government fear it could prove as devastating as Cyclone Kina, which killed 23 people and left thousands homeless in 1993.
Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama warned the storm is an ''impending disaster'' as his government moved to open more than 200 evacuation centres.
At least four people were killed when Cyclone Evan slammed into Samoa and the toll was expected to rise as a search was launched for eight men still missing on three fishing boats.
Only one survivor has been found, said the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre, which is overseeing the search.
After crossing Samoa, Evan intensified as it ploughed through the Pacific and forecasters said destructive winds could reach nearly 300km/h by the time it hits Fiji early Monday.
Government officials fear it could be as devastating as Cyclone Kina, which killed 23 people and left thousands homeless in 1993.
Squally thunderstorms were expected to flood low-lying areas while coastal villages were at risk of sea flooding, authorities said.
Tourists in luxury resorts on outlying islands were being ferried to the mainland, while Fiji's main airline, Air Pacific, said it had either cancelled or rescheduled its Monday flights.
Philip Duncan, head analyst with the WeatherWatch.co.nz meteorological service, said Fiji could expect to be walloped by the storm, with the prospect of flash flooding and mudslides.
"Gusts may end up climbing to 280km/ per hour or greater around the centre of Evan," Duncan said.
"Some small, low-lying communities and resorts may suffer catastrophic damage and some small islands may be entirely submerged as the storm and storm surge roll by."
More than 200 evacuation centres have been opened and Information Ministry permanent secretary Sharon Smith-Johns said people at risk should move.
"People living in low-lying areas should consider moving to higher grounds or evacuations centres," she said.
"By sunset tonight everyone should be ready with torches, batteries, candles, supplies and other necessities."
Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama has warned the storm is an "impending disaster" and offers of international aid have already been received.
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Canberra was offering financial aid as well as expert personnel and supplies.
"We're going to work with other nations including New Zealand and France, in doing what we can to save lives, and support search and rescue," he said.
Meanwhile, it could be some days before the full extent of the cyclone damage in Samoa is known because of the difficulty reaching outlying islands.
About 4500 people have been forced to remain in emergency shelters after Evan destroyed houses and damaged electricity and fresh water supplies, Samoan officials said.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele also warned of possible food shortages next year because of the destruction of crops.
The New Zealand Air Force and Tahiti search and rescue authorities were scouring the ocean for the fishing boats missing in rough seas.
New Zealand search coordinator Tracy Brickles said the 30-year-old skipper of one of the boats was known to have survived and made his way ashore after his boat tipped over on Friday but there was no information about his crew.
A vessel fitting the description of another boat has been seen washed up on an island but there was no sign of survivors.
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