Residents of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, and the surrounding area are being told to prepare for more rain, flooding and strong winds as Cyclone Gabrielle approaches the country’s coast.
Gabrielle, is currently 250 km northwest of the country and is expected to approach the east coast within the next 24 hours.
“We expect the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle to unfortunately get worse before they get better,” said Rachel Kelleher, deputy controller of Auckland Emergency Management on Monday. “This is not the time to be complacent,” he added.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Monday announced an NZ$11.5 million package to support community groups such as food banks and groups affected by the floods. .
Many schools and local government facilities in Auckland and the upper part of the North Island were closed and people were asked not to travel if possible.
A state of emergency is in place in Auckland and at least five other regions.
Electricity went out in 46,000 homes, cell service is spotty in some areas, and trees have fallen and roofs have been torn off.
Public transport has been disrupted with ferries, buses and trains suspended or operating at reduced hours.
Air New Zealand canceled 509 flights and said flights would resume on Tuesday when the weather was expected to improve.
Police said they were trying to locate a person who was on board a boat near Great Barrier Island this morning after responding to reports that the boat was in distress.
“The Maritime Police Unit, with the help of Eagle, attempted to board the boat throughout the morning, however conditions have been difficult, and at this stage no one has been located,” the statement said.
Metservice meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said overnight that Auckland and the Great Barrier Island could see heavy rain and winds.
“I think parts of Auckland that haven’t seen challenging wind conditions are likely to experience gales overnight,” he said.
“The storm surge is still coming in and could peak at high tide in eastern Auckland.”
She added that as Auckland was already saturated, some localized landslides and surface flooding were to be expected.
The cyclone is the second significant weather event to hit Auckland and the upper part of the North Island in just a few weeks.
Last month, Auckland and surrounding areas were hit by record rainfall that triggered flooding and killed four people.
Source: CNN Brasil
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