#cyclone #storm #gabrielle

About 46,000 homes were left without power as Cyclone Gabrielle hit northern New Zealand on Monday. Authorities have issued warnings of heavy rain and winds, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled.

The cyclone is the second significant weather event to hit Auckland and the upper North Island in just a few weeks. Last month Auckland and surrounding areas were hit by record rainfall that sparked floods and caused major damaged.

A state of emergency has already been declared in five northern regions including Auckland. The declaration gives local authorities greater power to respond to dangerous situations and allows them to restrict travel and provide aid.

Public transport has been disrupted with ferries, buses and trains either suspended or operating on a reduced schedule. Many schools and local government facilities across Auckland and the North Island have closed and some 10,000 international Air New Zealand customers were disrupted by the cancellation of 509 flights.

In addition, huge swells in Whitianga have caused widespread erosion, with waves toppling over the shore and onto roads. People in affected regions have been advised to stock up on three days worth of supplies.

The storm is forecast to ease heading into Wednesday and Thursday. People in the meantime are being advised by authorities to bunker down, avoid any unnecessary travel and take other precautionary measures to stay safe.


The channel lists such natural disasters as:
1) Geological emergencies: Earthquake, Volcanic eruption, Mud, Landslide, Avalanche;
2) Hydrological emergencies: Flood, Tsunami, Limnological disaster,
3) Fires: Forest fire, Peat fire;
4) Meteorological emergencies: Tornado, Cyclone, Blizzard, Hail, Drought, Tornado, Hail, Hurricane, Tsunami, Storm, Thunderstorm, Tempest.

#weather #northland

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