SUVA (AFP) – The Fiji government declared a state of disaster in the cyclone-ravaged nation Tuesday as the scale of damage began to emerge after 17,000 people fled to evacuation centers.

Cyclone Tomas cut a swathe of destruction through the north and east as winds averaging 165 kilometers an hour lashed the Pacific island group for a second day.

The main island of Viti Levu was spared the worst of the devastation but there were reports of extensive damage from the second largest island, Vanua Levu, and eastern outlying islands, officials said.

A state of disaster was declared in the north and east of the country after the National Disaster Council, under military leader Voreqe Bainimarama, met Tuesday to assess the first damage reports.

“We have so far got a tally of over 50 homes destroyed – a very serious issue,” Blake told reporters.