A yacht stuck on the rocks on Great Barrier Island.
Photo: Supplied / Ninette Birck
The breadth and scope of flooding and damage from Cyclone Gabrielle has been unprecedented. We’ve collected photos from RNZ reporters and readers from across the regions.
Flood waters reached up to the roof of this house in Rissington, north west of Napier.
Photo: Supplied / Adam Hedley
Workers in New Zealand from Tonga sought shelter on the roof
Photo:
The Waipaoa River, near Gisborne.
Photo: Supplied/ Ray Worters
* Read more: Live weather updates: Cyclone Gabrielle unleashes fury across North Island
Northland
Towns in and near the Bay of Islands area in Northland, including Moerewa, Kawakawa, and Paihia, have seen damage, debris, flooding, and tree falls from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Photo: Supplied / Joe Rapana
Flooded roads in Kaipara District, Northland.
Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati
Flooded roads in Kaipara District, Northland.
Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati
ACE Rentals in Dargaville were out delivering excavators and sweepers through the night to help clear storm damage.
Photo: Supplied/ ACE Rentals
ACE Rentals in Dargaville were up overnight helping supply heavy machinery during the storm, but the company’s own yard flooded with the heavy rain.
Photo: Supplied/ ACE Rentals
Towns in and near the Bay of Islands area in Northland, including Moerewa, Kawakawa, and Paihia, have seen damage, debris, flooding, and tree falls.
Photo: Supplied / Joe Rapana
Towns in and near the Bay of Islands area in Northland, including Moerewa, Kawakawa, and Paihia, have seen damage, debris, flooding, and tree falls from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Photo: Supplied / Joe Rapana
Towns in and near the Bay of Islands area in Northland, including Moerewa, Kawakawa, and Paihia, have seen damage, debris, flooding, and tree falls from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Photo: Supplied / Joe Rapana
Police at a flooded property on Whareora Road in Whangārei.
Photo: RNZ/ Soumya Bhamidipati
Towns in and near the Bay of Islands area in Northland, including Moerewa, Kawakawa, and Paihia, have seen damage, debris, flooding, and tree falls from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Photo: Supplied / Joe Rapana
Towns in and near the Bay of Islands area in Northland, including Moerewa, Kawakawa, and Paihia, have seen damage, debris, flooding, and tree falls from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Photo: Supplied / Joe Rapana
Auckland
Workers removing downed trees from power lines near Kumeū.
Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
A worker out clearing fallen trees from power lines near Kumeū.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A barge stuck on the rocks on Great Barrier Island.
Photo: Supplied / Tryphena House
Workers at the at the Civil Defence Centre at Trust Arena in Henderson, on Tuesday morning, including Sir Michael Jones (second from left).
Photo: RNZ/ Ashleigh McCaull
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins arrives at the Civil Defence Centre at Trust Arena in Henderson.
Photo: RNZ/ Ashleigh McCaull
Traffic battling the water in Kumeū.
Photo: RNZ / Jonty Dine
* Read more: Cyclone Gabrielle: By the Numbers
Debris on the road to Muriwai.
Photo: RNZ / MARIKA KHABAZI
Fire and Emergency chief executive Kerry Gregory giving a brief on Tuesday morning about two firefighters who were trapped in a crushed house during a landslide in Muriwai late on Monday.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A house collapsed after a slip on Rayner Road, Piha.
Photo: Supplied / Jay Piper-Healion
Strong winds brought down trees on Hobson Street, in Auckland’s central business area.
Photo: RNZ / Jeremy Rees
Waikato
A slip covering the road at Sailor’s Grave, near Tairua.
Photo: Supplied/ Leonard Powell
Flooding on Tararu Road/ State Highway 25, in the north end of Thames, early on Tuesday morning.
Photo: RNZ/Luka Forman
Albert Street in Thames.
Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman
Albert Street, Thames.
Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Ngati Maru Highway, which leads into the Thames township, was flooded after heavy rain from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman
Photo: RNZ/ Luka Forman
Flooding on Tararu Road in Thames brought down mud from the cliffs.
Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman
A river of mud across Tararu Road in Thames.
Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman
Power lines down in Scott Street, Leamington, Cambridge, Waikato.
Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti
The Waipaoa River, near Gisborne.
Photo: Supplied/ Ray Worters
The high water line is clearly visible along the Taruheru River in Gisborne.
Photo: Supplied/ Kate Green
Slips and foliage blocking a one-way bridge in Rissington.
Photo: Supplied / Adam Hedley
Ormond Road, Gisborne.
Photo: Tairawhiti Civil Defence
A falling gum tree behind a ‘beware of falling branches sign’ in Mārewa.
Photo: Supplied / Paula Thomas
More forestry slash was strewn about in Tolaga Bay.
Photo: Supplied / Bridget Parker
Tolaga Bay farmers reported forestry slash and land damage.
Photo: Supplied / Bridget Parker
The empty car park at Countdown Napier – supermarkets and many other businesses closed for the storm.
Photo: RNZ/ Krystal Gibbens
Taranaki
A truck trailer blown onto its side State Highway 3 between New Plymouth and Bell Block, near the Henwood Road on-ramp.
Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Builders’ wrap torn from the Atkinson Building in downtown New Plymouth. The building is currently being refurbished by Te Atiawa iwi.
Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Manawatū
Flooding at Herbertville Campground in the Tararua District.
Photo: Supplied / Herbertville Campground
Herbertville Campground.
Photo: Supplied / Herbertville Campground
National state of emergency: What you need to know
- The New Zealand government has declared a National State of Emergency, to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
- The declaration will apply to the six regions that have already declared a local State of Emergency: Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawke’s Bay.
- A national state of emergency gives the national controller legal authority to apply further resources across the country and set priorities in support of a national level response.
- Put safety first. Don’t take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.
- Stay at home if it is safe to do so. But have an evacuation plan in case your home becomes unsafe to stay in.
- If you have evacuated, please stay where you are until you are given the all-clear to go home.
- People should stay up to date with the forecasts from MetService and continue to follow the advice of Civil Defence and emergency services.
- Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater: even water just 15 centimetres deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles. Flood water is often contaminated and can make you sick.
Story Credit: rnz.co.nz