Auckland: New Zealand is facing its heaviest weather in 100 years as storm Gabrielle hit the country.
The storm has led to waves up to eleven meters high, winds gusting up to 140 kilometers per hour, heavy rain, landslides, floods, and road washouts.
As a result, at least 2,500 people have had to leave their homes, and 225,000 households are without power.
A national emergency has been declared due to the storm.
The Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, has called it the most severe storm New Zealand has experienced in the past 100 years.
The storm is expected to move southeast of Auckland and remain approximately parallel to the coast.
People in hard-hit areas are being asked to conserve water and food, as there are fears of a shortage.
Few supermarkets are closed, and people are urged not to hoard at the still-open supermarkets.
This is the third time New Zealand has declared a national emergency.
It happened previously due to the earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The central government has more power to provide aid in the affected areas.
The Prime Minister said the weather would improve in the coming days, but the country will have to hold on for a while.
Get our best stuff sent straight to you! Join our WhatsApp Channel.
Post's Author
