The Nadi Weather Office said a gale warning remains for Kadavu, Lomaiviti, Lau and the Moala group and nearby smaller islands as Tropical Cyclone Mick moves through the Southern Lau group.

A strong wind warning is in force for the Southeastern half of Viti Levu.

Tropical Cyclone Mick was located near 19 decimal 0 south 179 decimal 0 east or aboutm 215 km southeast of Nadi or 115km south-southeast of Suva at 3am this morning.

Close to its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 80km per hour with momentary gusts to 100 km/hr.

On this forecast track the cyclone centre is expected to lie about 120km to the southeast of Ono-i-Lau or about 490km southeast of Kadavu at 3pm today and about 780km to the Southeast of Ono-I-Lau at 3am tomorrow.

For Kadavu, Lomaiviti, Lau and the Moala group, damaging gale force winds with average speeds of 65 to 80km per hour with momentary gusts to 100km per hour is expected.

Tropical Cyclone Mick is moving Southeast at 20km per hour.

The Southern Lau group is right now experiencing strong winds.

Noa Yavala from the village of Yaroi in Matuku, Lau said they are preparing for the worst.