Status: 02/15/2023 08:00 a.m
A tropical storm has wreaked havoc on New Zealand’s North Island. Thousands had to flee their homes and four people died. The government declared a national emergency for the third time in national history.
At least four people have died in New Zealand’s tropical storm Gabrielle. Among the victims was a child who had apparently been swept away by the water masses on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. A firefighter died during rescue work in Auckland after being buried in a landslide.
Cyclone Gabrielle kills at least four people, New Zealand police say
Tagesschau 07:30 a.m., 15.2.2023
More than 10,000 people had to flee their homes, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management. The Hawke’s Bay region of the North Island was hardest hit. About 9,000 people were brought to safety there with military trucks, reported the broadcaster Radio New Zealand. Military helicopters were deployed to rescue residents from the roofs of their homes. “In some cases, the water reached the second floor of the houses,” said an army spokesman.
Several places cut off from the outside world
“Gabrielle” raged on Monday with wind speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour and caused severe devastation with heavy rain and waves up to eleven meters high. Bridges were washed away, roads were impassable. Some places were cut off from the outside world.
There were heavy storms on Tuesday as well. According to the authorities, the worst was apparently over on Wednesday, “but we’re not out of danger yet.” According to the Ministry of Disaster Management, 140,000 people were still without power on Wednesday. In several places, schools are to remain closed until the end of the week. Meanwhile, “Gabrielle” moved to the southern part of the North Island. The MetService weather service warned of heavy rain there.
Because of “Gabrielle”, the New Zealand government declared a national emergency on Tuesday – only for the third time in the country’s history. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins described the cyclone as “the most serious weather event” in New Zealand in this century.