Fiji hunkers down as formidable cyclone nears main islands

By Nick Perry, Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Pacific island nation of Fiji was hunkering down Saturday as a formidable cyclone with winds of 300 kilometers (186 miles) per hour bore down. Cyclone Winston was forecast to pass between the two main populated islands overnight. Many domestic and international flights were canceled and authorities urged people to secure their homes and not venture outside. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama wrote on Facebook on Saturday that the island’s evacuation centers were operational and that the government was prepared to deal with a potential crisis. “As a nation, we are facing an ordeal of the most grievous kind,” he wrote. “We must stick together as a people and look after each other.” He said he was concerned some people in the cities weren’t taking the threat seriously enough. Photo courtesy of NASA Goddard Rapid Response The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center said [...]