Red Alert for Coromandel, Norfolk Island ahead of Cyclone Gabrielle
RNZ (with ABC)
Auckland, February 11, 2021 (7.45 pm)
Heavy rain from Cyclone Gabrielle is likely to arrive in Northland slightly earlier than expected, while people in the Coromandel in areas at risk are being warned to self-evacuate.
An orange warning is in place for severe wind and heavy rain for several areas including Northland, Auckland north of Whangaparaoa and Great Barrier Island.
A red warning for heavy rain was issued today for the Coromandel Peninsula and Tairawhiti Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay.
The Cyclone has been downgraded to Category Two from Category Three, with wind speeds estimated between 89-118 km/h.
Worrying Weather
Civil Defence Controller (Coromandel) Garry Towler said that after weeks of severe weather, civil defence officials are very worried.
Civil Defence is recommending that residents in the Coromandel consider evacuating before Sunday evening if they live in an at-risk area.
Through a video circulated on media and other channels, he said that “a very severe and possibly destructive Cyclone” is descending on the Coromandel.
“We ask people to seriously consider preparing to evacuate if they are in areas that are prone to flooding or areas and areas that are possibly going to be inundated with the coastal surge. We need people to take this seriously,” he said.
MetService Head of Weather Communication Lisa Murray said that regardless of the storm’s eventual track, there is a very high risk of extreme and impactful weather over the upper North Island late Saturday night, spreading to south and central New Zealand by Monday.
“The Service expects up to 400 millimetres of rain to fall in the regions, mostly on Monday. Central Auckland is still under a Severe Weather Watch. It has not been upgraded due to the uncertainty of the movement of the Cyclone, but it could be in the near future. Auckland is already sodden from recent events which could exacerbate impacts of any strong wind and rain,” she said.
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island (in the North) has declared a red alert and residents have been urged to take shelter as Cyclone Gabrielle continues to track straight towards the island.
The Bureau of Meteorology said that gale-force winds could impact the island through Saturday night and into Sunday. Despite the downgrade (to Category Two), the storm is likely to bring destructive winds, heavy rain and abnormally high tides.
Much of the island has lost power.
Norfolk Island Emergency Controller George Plant said that gale-force winds and heavy rain started to ramp up around the island this (Saturday) morning.
Strong winds are already being felt in the north, with the New Zealand Transport Agency issuing a warning about the Auckland Harbour bridge.
“Please take extra care especially if you are in a lighter or high-sided vehicle or riding a motorcycle. The storm is due to track across Northland before moving south to Auckland, Coromandel, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne on Monday and Tuesday,” the Agency said.
Travel Warnings
The government is urging people to avoid non-essential travel in areas that could be hit by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Air New Zealand has cancelled several flights.
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty appealed to New Zealanders to heed official advice and take the warnings seriously and that government agencies and local civil defence services have assured that updates will be available on social media channels.
While people in Northland including parts of Auckland have been advised to stock food for at least three days, supermarkets have urged shoppers to be patient while supplies are replenished.
St John Ambulance spokesperson Dan Ohs said that additional deployments are being made in Northland, Coromandel, Auckland, and the Bay of Plenty.
The Education Ministry has advised the management of schools in Auckland to decide individually whether to stay open or close in response to the storm.
Several maraes in Northland may be available as welfare centres when Cyclone Gabrielle hits the region. Whakawhiti Ora Pai, a health organisation based near Kaitaia said that it has been talking to maraes in the area.
General manager Errol Murray said that several maraes, including the Potahi Marae in Te Kao, and Waiora Marae in Ngataki are prepared to offer any assistance.
“We are doing welfare checks on vulnerable communities as well as preparing food packs and water ahead of the Cyclone,” he said.
The above Report and pictures have been published under a special agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
