Devastation on North Island: New Zealand declares a state of emergency because of the cyclone

Many roads have been flooded or washed away, mobile phone networks have been disrupted and some cities have been cut off from the outside world: for the third time in its history, the government in New Zealand has declared a national emergency because of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Devastation on North Island: New Zealand declares a state of emergency because of the cyclone

Many roads have been flooded or washed away, mobile phone networks have been disrupted and some cities have been cut off from the outside world: for the third time in its history, the government in New Zealand has declared a national emergency because of Cyclone Gabrielle.

The New Zealand government has declared a national emergency after massive damage was caused by tropical cyclone Gabrielle. It is only the third time in the country's history that authorities have declared a nationwide emergency, said Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty.

So far, the storm has wreaked havoc on the North Island in particular. Some places were cut off from the outside world. Tens of thousands of people had no electricity. Air, ferry and train connections have been partially suspended. The National Emergency gives the central government more powers to deal with crises. The measure had previously been taken because of the 2020 corona pandemic and after the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. McAnulty emphasized, "This is an unprecedented weather event affecting much of the North Island." He described the storm as a significant disaster "which poses a real threat to the lives of New Zealanders."

In the Hawke's Bay area and parts of the coastal town of Napier, residents have been urged to take shelter on hills due to rising flood waters. In some areas, the water masses were so high that only the roofs of houses could be seen. Rescuers searched a suburb of Auckland's largest city for a firefighter who was buried under the rubble of a collapsed house. Many trees and power poles were also swept away by the storm. In many supermarkets, the shelves were empty after panic buying before the storm.

"Gabrielle" moved in a southeasterly direction along the Pacific state today, Tuesday. Just a few weeks ago, in the middle of the New Zealand summer, there were devastating floods on the North Island. Four people died in the catastrophic floods in Auckland. Eyewitnesses spoke of the worst flooding they had ever experienced.