The Fiji Meteorological Service says islands in the Lau group are now feeling the effects of tropical cyclone Winston.
It says the category five cyclone has average winds of 220 kilometres an hour and momentary gusts of 315 kilometres an hour.
The cyclone is moving west at about 22 kilometres an hour.
A tropical cyclone forecaster at the Fiji Meteorological Service, Misaeli Funaki, said "On its track it went really close to Vanuabalavu at 7am local time, an island in the Lau group, and the weather observation centre recorded winds of 185 kph."
He said they are yet to receive reports of damages on the ground
Mr Funaki also adds Winston shifted slightly overnight, and it's now expected to pass in-between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, moving closer to the bigger island of Vanua Levu, with the capital Suva narrowly missing a direct hit.
But he said while some islands may not be in the hurricane warning areas, the devastation will still be damaging at his is a category five system.
Evacuation centres open
Fiji's National Disaster Management office says more than 700 evacuation centres across the country are ready and on standby in the four regions.
Some families have already moved into the centres according to the office's George Dregaso.
"Those that don't have a proper house and those living along coastal and rivers that are vulnerable to storm surge and flooding."
Mr Dregaso has urged those living in the low lying areas have been advised to move to higher ground.
He also added that people have been advised to secure their homes and keep a check on their children.