New Zealand has declared a national state of emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread flooding and landslides, affecting several regions in the country. The emergency will apply in six regions including Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawkes Bay. This is the third time in New Zealand’s history that a national state of emergency has been declared, the previous two being after the 2011 earthquake and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle: Displacement, Power Outages, and Damage
As a result of the cyclone, 2,500 people have been displaced and 225,000 people around the North Island have been left without electricity. The massive flooding and landslides have caused significant damage to the power supply system, roads, shops, and homes. Fire and Emergency New Zealand has reported that one of their two firefighters who were trapped in Motutara Road in Muriwai has been rescued, while another one is still missing.
Cyclone Gabrielle’s Movement and Unraveling
According to the New Zealand weather agency, at 6 p.m. Cyclone Gabrielle’s center was about to slowly track out to sea off from East Cape, in a south-easterly direction. However, the central air pressure has been rising steadily, indicating that the storm is slowly unraveling and easing. It will still take a few days for the storm to unravel properly, as it moves away past the Chatham Islands.
The movement of the cyclone has caused significant flooding and landslides, leading to displacement, power outages, damage to infrastructure, and the loss of a firefighter. Although the cyclone is slowly easing, the effects of the natural disaster will continue to impact affected regions for some time. The situation highlights the need for effective weather forecasting and emergency preparedness plans to minimize the impacts of extreme weather events.
Disruptions in Transportation and Flight Services
Roads in the affected regions remain closed, and telecommunications services have also been affected. The transport agency has advised people in the upper North Island to avoid all nonessential travel. Several state highways are closed due to downed trees, slips, and flooding, and local roads are also affected.
The cyclone has also disrupted the flight service, leaving hundreds of travelers stuck at airports. The New Zealand government has assured affected people that they are working hard to mitigate the situation and will continue to do so until the situation is fully under control.
The disruption in transportation has caused significant inconvenience to people in the affected areas and beyond, with some being unable to reach their homes, workplaces, or loved ones. The situation emphasizes the importance of effective transportation infrastructure in ensuring access to essential services during natural disasters and highlights the need for emergency preparedness plans to minimize the impacts on transportation systems.
Government Response and Assistance for Affected Areas
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has urged people to stay calm and follow the advice of emergency services. “We know that this is an incredibly tough time, and our hearts go out to everyone who is affected by this event,” she said. “We want people to know that we’re doing everything we can to support them, and we’ll continue to provide regular updates on the situation.”
The government has also assured the public that they are working with local and national agencies to provide food, water, and shelter to those affected. The New Zealand Red Cross is providing assistance to those in need, including support with emergency accommodation, food, and clothing.
This natural disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and the need to be vigilant during extreme weather events. The government and emergency services have urged people to stay safe and to avoid unnecessary risks during this difficult time.
