Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle hits New Zealand
Auckland, The Gulf Observer: Heavy rain is now falling across Auckland, Northland, Coromandel and other North Island areas as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle hits New Zealand. Residents are being urged to avoid non-essential travel, while MetService has upgraded rain and wind alert levels for many regions.
There are 18 rain and wind warnings for the North Island for up to two days. Northland and Auckland are now under orange heavy rain warnings – and Coromandel is under the highest red warning. The East Coast, north of Tolaga Bay, comes under the red warning from 3pm today. Heavy rain watches and/or strong wind warnings are in place for most North Island regions, with latest timings detailed in the liveblog below.
Far North resident Lennox Goodhue-Wikitera told the Herald that Gabrielle’s storm system was already hitting New Zealand.
Goodhue-Wikitera said strong wind and rain had started in Ahipara, near Kaitaia, just before 9pm on Saturday. “It windy and getting worse. It’s really strong gusts of wind and the rain has just started. It’s not heavy yet but it’s slowly getting heavier and heavier.”
Goodhue-Wikitera said their home was exposed, being across the road from the beach and next to a creek. “When it rains, the creek fills up and sometimes it can flood onto the property.”
Goodhue-Wikitera said swells from the beach could also sometimes wash in and meet with the creek, raising the water levels higher. If the waters did rise in the next few days, they could always seek shelter higher up the hill in Ahipara where they have family.
