On February 12, 2023, local time, Auckland, New Zealand, a man stood on a breakwater on a bicycle when a hurricane hit northern New Zealand. Visual China map
As Hurricane Gabriel hit New Zealand's North Island, about 46,000 New Zealand homes lost power.
On February 12, 2023, local time, Auckland, New Zealand, a hurricane hit northern New Zealand, and people watched the waves hit the river embankment on Auckland Beach. Visual China map
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), on February 12, local time, as Hurricane Gabriel approached, rainfall in many places on New Zealand's North Island and gradually intensified. The New Zealand Meteorological Service said on the 13th that the rainfall in Whangarei City in the past 12 hours reached 100.5 mm.
On February 12, 2023, local time, Auckland, New Zealand, road closure signs were set up on the waterfront. Visual China map
So far, about 46,000 New Zealand households have reportedly lost their power supply. Authorities issued heavy rain and gale warnings, and hundreds of flights were canceled. New Zealand Prime Minister Shipkins announced an aid package worth 11.5 million New Zealand dollars (about 50.66 million yuan).
Sandbags were placed on the coastline when Hurricane Gabriel hit Coromandel, south of Auckland, on February 12, 2023, local time. Visual China map
New Zealand Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty said at a press conference on the 13th that the government is considering declaring a national emergency. Five northern New Zealand regions, including Auckland, have declared a state of emergency. The declaration of a state of emergency means that local authorities will be given greater powers to respond to dangerous situations and allow local authorities to restrict movement and provide emergency assistance. In addition, he warned that the 13th would be a "critical day" due to a "highly dangerous" combination of strong winds and heavy rain, when hurricanes with winds of up to 140 km/h hit large areas of northern New Zealand and the Auckland Bay Bridge was hit by a hurricane with speeds of 110 km/h. It may also take several days to restore power supply, as bad weather makes grid operation "unsafe".
According to reports, on January 27, local time, Auckland and its surrounding areas suffered the worst rainstorm disaster since records began, and flooding caused by heavy rain killed four people. Hurricane Gabriel is the second major extreme weather event to hit Auckland and New Zealand's North Island in just a few weeks.