Apia residents evacuated as cyclone hits

A number of residents near Apia have evacuated their open fales to seek safety in evacuation sites and enclosed homes today, when wind speeds from Cyclone Evans picked up.

The cyclone has caused flash floods, blocked roads, damaged buildings and spread debris across Apia urban areas, in what has become a surprisingly strong Cyclone.

"I didn't think it was going to be this big," said Toaumu Taseni, who lives next to a river and witnessed the onslaught of water this afternoon.

Samoan Red Cross teams have been mobilised in Samoa to assist in evacuating residents in low lying areas of Samoa after cyclone Evan hit the islands overnight.

Emergency workers are out in full force as residents struggle to cope with the winds and rain.

No casualties have been reported, but the Disaster Management Organisation is issuing regular reports to the public.