New Zealand Cyclone Gabrielle turns deadly as image shows horse trapped on roof

Two people have died in a cyclone labelled New Zealand’s “most severe weather event this century”, as photos show a horse’s brave act as towns go underwater.

At least two people have died and a volunteer firefighter remains missing as new aerial images reveal Cyclone Gabrielle’s deadly coast-to-coast path of destruction across New Zealand’s North Island.

Homes have been destroyed, towns entirely cut off, animals trapped and hundreds of thousands of residents are still without power across many regions as the cyclone cut a path from Muriwai in the northwest to Hawke’s Bay in the southeast of the island.

Aerial images show a horse trapped on a roof after flooding in Hawke's Bay.

Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Muriwai have been among the regions most severely hit – and there are new evacuations in Napier this morning amid rising floodwaters, the New Zealand Heraldreports.

“Overnight there have been reports of further fatalities across the country and our hearts go out to the families,” NZ Fire and Emergency chief executive Kerry Gregory said at an 8am emergency briefing.

“As New Zealand wakes this morning there are parts of the country that are still in the middle of the effects of the cyclone.”

A helicopter crew saves people stranded on the rooftops of their homes in Napier. Picture: New Zealand Defence Force

Cyclone turns deadly

So far, there have been two confirmed deaths while a volunteer firefighter is still missing at Muriwai, west of Auckland. One woman died after a landslide on her property in Hawke’s Bay and another person’s body has been found on a storm-ravaged beach.

And rescuers hope to resume their search today for missing volunteer firefighter Dave van Zwanenberg who was swept up in the landslide as he attended a flooded home. One of his colleagues was pulled from the collapsed house and is in a critical condition in hospital.

“Our intention is to bring our firefighter home,” a NZ Fire and Emergency official said.

A large landslide threatens houses in the coastal suburb of Muriwai following Cyclone Gabrielle. New Zealand has declared a national state of emergency. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Flooding and inundation into a coastal suburb of Hawke’s Bay was “escalating”, the area’s Civil Defence said this morning, recommending that all residents in the area evacuate to family or friends’ homes.

It comes as new images reveal the extent of destruction caused by Gabrielle – and the heroic efforts of rescuers.

Aerial photographs show towns such as Wairoa in Hawke’s Bay have been completely swamped by floodwaters, while Gisborne, Napier, Hastings and other settlements along the east coast of the North Island struggle with the loss of homes, roads, power, phones and the internet.

Meanwhile, photos from Auckland’s west coast beaches reveal the devastating landslides that took out homes on Monday night.

A resident wades through a large landslide in Muriwai. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

‘Most severe weather event’

The tales of tragedy come as Prime Minister Chris Hipkins labelled Cyclone Gabrielle the “most severe weather event this century”.

About 225,000 people have lost power and around 2500 families have been displaced from their homes, including at least 1000 in Hawke’s Bay and 1000 in the far north.

The Defence Force has also released images of residents being plucked from their rooftops near Napier. Homes and properties were completely swamped in the area. The Defence Force said three NH90 helicopters were used to rescue people from their homes.

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

And aerial photographs released by Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence show Wairoa has been completely isolated, with homes underwater.

There are fears the town has supplies for only one more day. Authorities are urgently trying to build communication and transport channels with the town.

Wairoa’s river burst its banks, around half of its 8000 population. With no power or phones, the only communication is via satellite phone. Wairoa Council used Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites to make contact. The area faces “severe challenges”, it said.

Trees ripped apart as Cyclone Gabrielle left a trail of destruction. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

In an email on Tuesday evening, the council said Wairoa had been “significantly impacted by river flooding as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle”.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated.

“We are managing but we are geographically isolated and facing severe challenges. These include food and water supply, fuel and communications. We are working to ensure people’s safety and trying to provide the best services we can given our limitations,” the email said.

There are very limited supplies of food and water with no drinking water supply due to the flooding. An RNZAF reconnaissance flight was to be sent to the northern Hawke’s Bay town. “Wairoa, particularly, is of concern,” Emergency Response Minister Kieran McAnulty said earlier.

This article originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald and was republished with permission.