Regina man's home village destroyed by cyclone in Fiji

With 42 people killed and tens of thousands more stuck in evacuation centres with no homes to go back to, the effects of the Cyclone Winston that hit Fiji this weekend will be felt for a long time.
 
One man in Regina is feeling it as well. Peni Lutudromu lives in Regina and is the rugby coach at the University of Regina, but he’s from Koro Island in Fiji.
 
He said at first, he thought it would be alright because it looked like the category 5 cyclone would miss his island, but then it turned and was heading right for it.
 
The cyclone, with its winds topping 280 kilometres per hour, hit on Saturday, but it wasn’t until four days later that Lutudromu heard anything about his family.
 
“It took four days of no sleep, 24/7 in front of my computer, sitting there waiting, waiting, waiting, and finally got an update from government of Fiji.”
 
The update had devastating pictures of his village.
 
“I saw those pictures and all I say to myself is ‘oh my god, my house is gone, and I bet my family’s gone.'”
 
Thankfully he later found out his family was alright, and was able to talk to them.
 
“I just can’t describe how happy I (was), at the same time, how scary I (was) to know what they’re going through that night.”
 
Lutudromu said his family is alright “in the Fijian way”.
 
“They will tell you they’re alright; they’re not going to tell you how hurt they are.”
 
Crops and whole villages were destroyed in the storm, and as of Wednesday night the death toll was at 42. Cyclone Winston was the most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the western hemisphere.