Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Environment
By Lucy Craymer and Renju Jose

Cyclone Gabrielle moves away from New Zealand, recovery efforts begin

An NH90 helicopter and crew recover people from the rooftops of their homes in Esk Valley, Napier in this handout photo released on February 14, 2023. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS

Cyclone Gabrielle weakened and moved away from New Zealand on Wednesday as the country started to assess the damage caused by significant flooding, landslides and high winds that left four people dead and displaced thousands from their homes.

Gabrielle, which reached New Zealand on Sunday before making its way down the east coast of the North Island, cut off entire towns, washed away farms, bridges and livestock, and inundated homes, stranding people on roof tops.

A view of flood damage in the the aftermath of cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, in this picture released on February 15, 2023. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS

"Our immediate focus has been undertaking lifesaving missions for those affected by the floods who needed to be rescued," said Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday at a televised media briefing, adding that all people stranded on roofs by floodwaters have been rescued.

"Please don't return to your homes until you have been given the all clear to do so," he said, warning that the situation remains dangerous even as the weather improves.

Residents in hard-hit areas are now being asked to conserve water and food because of fears of shortages after the cyclone forced New Zealand on Tuesday to declare a national state of emergency for only the third time in its history.

Crew of a RNZAF NH90 helicopter unload supplies before providing airborne reconnaissance and photography, personnel transport and cargo movement in Northland in response to the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle in this handout photo released on February 14, 2023. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS

Hipkins confirmed on Wednesday four people had died including a volunteer firefighter who responded to a call out and was caught in a landslide on Monday.

With around 1,400 people unaccounted for since the cyclone crisis began, Hipkins said roughly 1,100 have been reported found and there is likely to be considerable crossover between the two lists.

However, he added that police hold "grave concerns" for several missing people.

A view of flood damage in the the aftermath of cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke?s Bay, New Zealand, in this picture released on February 15, 2023. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS

Parts of New Zealand's North Island, where about 75% of the country's 5 million residents live, are enduring their second major storm in as many weeks. Record rains last month triggered flash floods in Auckland and four people lost lives then.

Authorities estimate more than 9,000 people have been displaced so far, with around 3,000 housed in temporary shelters.

Defence has deployed over 700 personnel along with four aircraft, seven helicopters and two naval ships to help rescue those stranded by the floods and deliver essential supplies to isolated towns, Hipkins said.

A view of flood damage in the the aftermath of cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke?s Bay, New Zealand, in this picture released on February 15, 2023. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS

Alysha Haidekker was back assessing the flood damage at her home in badly hit Hawke's Bay on Wednesday. The water has drained away but it has left silt, swollen wood and damaged her new kitchen, wall linings and doors.

She said they'd managed to move a lot of their belongings to an upper storey but the flooding happened fast.

"The water was coming in the door and I panicked and tried to get a towel but by the time I turned around I could tell a towel was not going help," she said. "It had just started seeping in from every corner."

EVACUATIONS CONTINUE

Meteorological service WeatherWatch said Cyclone Gabrielle is now east of the country and continuing to track away from the North Island with weather now improving.

Both domestic and international flights have resumed though airline schedules maybe disrupted for several days, Auckland Airport said in a tweet on Wednesday morning. Napier Port will be closed until Thursday

However, rivers in Hawke's Bay continue to pose risks and the local emergency management ordered further evacuations early on Wednesday. Electricity is out for around 160,000 customers across the island, down from the peak of 225,000 on Tuesday. Authorities expect that number to improve again on Thursday.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer, Renju Jose and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Sandra Maler, Himani Sarkar and Michael Perry)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.