A NATIONAL state of emergency is in place after Cyclone Gabrielle smashed parts of New Zealand’s North Island. It’s only the third time such an emergency has been declared in the country’s history.
High winds, rain and coastal surges pounded the island’s north leading to severe flooding and landslides, and cutting power to thousands.
Local media reports showed people stranded on their roofs amid the rising waters, houses swept away by landslides and roads submerged by water.
“It has been a big night for New Zealanders across the country, but particularly in the upper North Island … a lot of families displaced, a lot of homes without power, extensive damage done across the country,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told reporters early today (Tuesday) after the emergency was declared.
The cyclone was tracking about 100km east of Auckland, near the east coast of the country’s North Island, and moving east-southeast, roughly parallel to the coast.
“The wind is still howling here in east Auckland, but at least the rain has stopped,” NZ Catholic newspaper editor, Michael Otto, said.
“But people on the east coast of the North Island have suffered the worst from this cyclone.
“We await news on places like Napier and Gisborne, where communication is difficult. From what I have read, much of Napier and places elsewhere in Hawkes Bay are without power after a substation was flooded.
“They could be without power for days or weeks, authorities are saying.
“A major evacuation is underway in Taradale and other parts of southern Napier as the Tutaekuri River is bursting its banks.
“I used to live about 200 metres from this river and used to go walking along the stopbank. It beggars belief for me that this has been breached – if that is the case. I fear for my old neighbourhood.
“Napier suffered a catastrophic earthquake in 1931, with the loss of many lives, including priests and seminarians. We can only pray and hope that there is no loss of life this time.”
More rain and high winds are expected, and as the cyclone moves, the severe weather is expected to extend to the upper South Island.
About 1.6 million people live in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city. It was already struggling to clean up after the area was hit by major floods two weeks ago.
