New Zealand declares National Emergency amid Cyclone Gabrielle passes

A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand as Cyclone Gabrielle lashes the North Island, bringing landslides, floods and torrential rain.

A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand this morning as Cyclone Gabrielle continues to lash the North Island.

Tens of thousands of homes were left without power overnight, with emergency services responding to 900 callouts as the nation battles devastating landslides and torrential rain.

Coastal communities west of Auckland – including Piha, and Muriwai – as well as Coromandel, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay were among those hardest hit overnight.

A firefighter is missing in Muriwai and another is in critical condition in hospital after a house collapsed in a landslide. The crew was investigating flooding at the home at the time.

🌀10:30pm: Current position of #CycloneGabrielle, which is now strengthening a further 6 to 10 hours.
The centre will slowly start to drift towards East Cape, arriving there Tuesday afternoon, likely mid-afternoon.

Low air pressure estimates (dawn Tue):
🇦🇺961 hPa
🇺🇸961
🇬🇧964 pic.twitter.com/lPlHHJNmJC

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 13, 2023

Civil Defence Minister Kieran McAnulty said it was distressing to hear about the two firefighters trapped by a landslide in Muriwai.

“These are highly trained volunteers, they left their own families to go help their communities,” he told AM.

Ball said Muriwai had been completely cut off due to slips and residents were evacuated overnight.

“It’s been a very frightening and challenging night for people, especially in Muriwai.”

He said the cyclone had so far closely followed the predicted track and is warning that conditions are not expected to start easing until this afternoon.

A major emergency operation was launched in Muriwai, 42km northwest of Auckland, after the two firefighters were caught in the landslide.

Surfers heads out into large waves and rough seas from Cyclone Gabrielle at Goat Island Marine Reserve. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

“Last night, a crew from one of our volunteer fire brigades were investigating flooding in a house on Motutara Rd in Muriwai,” said FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory.

“While they were at the property, a landslide occurred on the slope above, and the house collapsed.

“Two of our firefighters were trapped. One was rescued early this morning and is in a critical condition in hospital. The search for our second firefighter was suspended in the early hours of the morning due to the instability of the land.”

Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand on Monday. Satellite image from 7am AEDT, February 14. Picture: Zoom Earth

Gregory said a full rescue operation was initiated as soon as the landslide occurred, involving 10 crews from seven brigades and including Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), police and St John.

“Our thoughts are with our firefighters, and with their loved ones. We are also providing support to the other members of their brigade. This is a very difficult time for them, and for every member of Fire and Emergency NZ when we are also focused on responding to the continuing need in so many communities across the North Island today.”

This article was originally published by the NZ Herald and reproduced with permission

Originally published as New Zealand declares National Emergency amid Cyclone Gabrielle passes