<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Exclusive: </span></strong><span>Melanie Harris arrived in Fiji this week hoping for a serene tropical holiday, instead she's trapped on the edge of a category 3 cyclone.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu has been wreaking havoc on the western side of the island, near the tourist centre of Nadi.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Harris and her young son are currently at a hotel about an hour south of Nadi and have witnessed the cyclone's "terrifying" power.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-8-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines-australian-fuel-price-and-supply/7129929f-2032-47c5-afed-d097de3d97d2" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump agrees to two-week ceasefire with Iran after frantic peace talks</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The wind is loud, relentless, and completely unpredictable," Harris told nine.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You can hear it constantly, even through the walls.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It just puts you on edge."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/fiji-severe-tropical-cyclone-vaianu-weather-travel-warning-exclusive/e4e97ea6-16c1-48f3-8a77-6b1da7227dd5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fiji has been buffeted by strong winds and rain, and local authorities have issued flash flood warnings in several provinces.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Harris said she heard objects being tossed around in damaging winds just last night while eating dinner at the resort where she's staying.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She also reported multiple power outages at the resort, which have been particularly alarming at night.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Everything suddenly goes dark and the wind is still howling outside," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It just didn't feel safe."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/can-you-get-a-dui-on-e-bike-laws-penalties-state-by-state-rules-explained/a8ec941d-e45d-4d49-a8bb-f686fe375663" target="_blank"><strong><span>A Sydney expat was slapped with drink driving charge on a Lime Bike. So what are the rules?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trying to reassure her young son and remain calm herself has been difficult.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"At one point, my son slipped on the wet tiles in the wild weather and smashed his head, which was absolutely terrifying," Harris said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You're already on edge, and then something like that happens.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It just takes everything to another level."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nearly all of the activities and day trips Harris had booked have been cancelled, and she is waiting for refunds.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hotel staff have been helpful but appear overwhelmed and under-resourced, Harris claimed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They have almost been downplaying the cyclone and don't have much information to give," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Harris has been struggling to sleep and fears the situation could escalate without warning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-charged-alleged-war-crime-murder-gina-rinehart-speaks-out/4dd62981-7fc1-41e2-9422-b661a3303040" target="_blank"><strong><span>Gina Rinehart asks how investigation into Ben Roberts-Smith can be 'justified'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tomorrow she plans to move to a different hotel in a more protected location.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She just hopes the cyclone won't impact her flight home to Australia on Sunday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A flight from Sydney to Fiji was diverted to Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, yesterday due to bad weather and travellers are being warned to expect significant disruptions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has urged travellers to be on high alert, warning parts of the country could be smashed by strong winds, heavy rain and flash flooding.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another tropical cyclone, Cyclone Maila is currently tracking off the Solomon Islands and could hit Papua New Guinea.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The category 3 storm could still hit Australia, experts have warned.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>