25 Feb 2023
Fifty seven thousand people are in need of support. More than $28 million has already been made to 57,000 people following cyclone Gabrielle. That doesn’t count other events, tropical storms and earthquake relief. Over 3,100 people in evacuation centres, 10,000 displaced from homes. The prime minister noted 800 homes evacuated in Auckland and Northland.
Civil Defence Payments can help people in affected regions cover the costs of food, bedding, clothing, accommodation and loss of income.
Following equivalent disasters internationally, the cost to repair and rebuild infrastructure and lives will be $10s of billions. $250 million already pledged by central government to add to roading repairs via Waka Kotahi. A further $50 million to support local affected businesses. Relief agencies say the best way to help remotely is to donate funds.
New Zealand recovery. Your news, photo’s and videos sought with full credit for your help.
Wednesday 22 Feb 2023
Your news, stories, photo’s, video’s are welcome here with full credit. If you wish to be part of a contribution to recent events that recognises you, your username/detail as you request, please send them here so we can preserve that history. Your story is not someone elses or some corporates. It belongs to you. When you post to mainstream media (e.g. Stuff, Herald) they claim ownership. Let’s change that.
Luxon tells Government to get tough on ‘low-life, scumbag’ looting
The leader of the Opposition has law and order concerns. The get tough view is widespread. We should get behind that and deal harshly to thiefs and vandals in cyclone affected areas. Or as more than one close friend and whanau says, just shoot them (maybe not terminally, but enough to stop them.) Very spiritual notion. We may help avoid future karma.
Tuesday 21 Feb 2023 – summary
| 21/02/22 | Summaries |
| Register | Police are urging people who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle to register that they are safe online. Communications in areas most affected by Cyclone Gabrielle are slowly coming back on. Anyone who has not yet reported themselves as safe should do so as soon as possible via the “Registering I’m Alive” online form, here https://forms.police.govt.nz/im-alive. |
| Hawkes Bay | |
| 3 people arrested for discharging firearms Saturday evening. Napier mayor Kirsten Wise told RNZ the main thing message to locals on Sunday morning was to continue to “conserve water”. Wise said that while drinking water was fine, the wastewater management plant was still “non-operational”. | |
| Police | Stated they will not tolerate abhorrent offending that targets victims in areas affected. |
| Donations | Cyclone-affected businesses will begin receiving payments from the Government’s $50 million relief package within a week, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. |
| Donations | Cantabrians can help those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle by making donations which will be shipped to Napier. People can donate good quality, clean, new or used clothing, shoes, blankets and linen at the collection point at The Welder, 20 Welles St, in central Christchurch. Organisers ask you to “consider donations across all age groups, from babies to the elderly”, as well as practical items “such as new packs of undies and socks in all sizes”. Collections will take place from Monday February 20 to Wednesday 22, between 9am and 2pm. |
| Westpac have allocated a $1 MILLION SMALL BUSINESS FLOOD RELIEF FUND. https://www.westpac.co.nz/about-us/upper-north-island-flooding/ | |
| Hawkes Bay Disaster Relief Trust received $1 Million from central government. Ata mārie Ahuriri Napier! During challenging times many people are left asking, “What can I do to help?” Here’s some ways you can lend a hand: ��If you want to volunteer, please email manager@volunteeringhb.org.nz ��If you’d like to donate, please do so through Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Trust, bank account 02-0700-0010824-002 ��If you’d like to help with the needs of animals and pets, you can donate to Helping You Help Animals (HUHA) who are caring for displaced animals | |
| Safety | New Zealand Food Safety is warning Kiwis not to eat food that’s been in contact with flood waters. Floodwaters can be contaminated with sewage, bacteria, viruses, parasites and physical contaminants such as glass and debris. |
| Travel | Air New Zealand reduced flight costs flights in and out of Gisborne and Napier. Air New Zealand has reduced the cost of travelling to and from the communities hit hardest by Cyclone Gabrielle, with lower fares for all flights into and out of Gisborne and Napier until February 28. |
| General | With phone connectivity still limited, word of mouth is often the only way information is getting from one place to another. |
Sunday 19 Feb 2023 – summary
| Summaries | Over 3200 people remain completely unaccounted for. Fatality count will rise. |
| Register | Police are urging people who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle to register that they are safe online. Communications in areas most affected by Cyclone Gabrielle are slowly coming back on. Anyone who has not yet reported themselves as safe should do so as soon as possible via the “Registering I’m Alive” online form, here https://forms.police.govt.nz/im-alive. As of 2pm today, 18 February, there have been 5608 reports of uncontactable people registered and 1196 reports from people registering that they are safe. |
| Hawkes Bay | Hawkes Bay Disaster Relief Trust received $1 Million from central government. Ata mārie Ahuriri Napier! During challenging times many people are left asking, “What can I do to help?” Here’s some ways you can lend a hand: ��If you want to volunteer, please email manager@volunteeringhb.org.nz ��If you’d like to donate, please do so through Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Trust, bank account 02-0700-0010824-002 ��If you’d like to help with the needs of animals and pets, you can donate to Helping You Help Animals (HUHA) who are caring for displaced animals |
| Napier | 3 people arrested for discharging firearms Saturday evening. Napier mayor Kirsten Wise told RNZ the main thing message to locals on Sunday morning was to continue to “conserve water”. Wise said that while drinking water was fine, the wastewater management plant was still “non-operational”. |
| Police | Stated they will not tolerate abhorrent offending that targets victims in areas affected. |
| Donations | Cantabrians can help those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle by making donations which will be shipped to Napier. People can donate good quality, clean, new or used clothing, shoes, blankets and linen at the collection point at The Welder, 20 Welles St, in central Christchurch. Organisers ask you to “consider donations across all age groups, from babies to the elderly”, as well as practical items “such as new packs of undies and socks in all sizes”. Collections will take place from Monday February 20 to Wednesday 22, between 9am and 2pm. |
| Auckland | 3000 Auckland homes, businesses still without power. This number includes around 600 in the West Coast beaches of Piha, Bethells, and Muriwai. |
| Roading | On Saturday, Waka Kotahi said there were “multiple incidents” of abuse towards roadworkers across regions impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. |
| Gisborne | SH2 between Wairoa and Gisborne is now OPEN between 7am and 7pm each day. Please adhere to various speed restrictions currently in place and drive to the conditions. |
| Safety | New Zealand Food Safety is warning Kiwis not to eat food that’s been in contact with flood waters. Floodwaters can be contaminated with sewage, bacteria, viruses, parasites and physical contaminants such as glass and debris. |
| Travel | Air New Zealand reduced flight costs flights in and out of Gisborne and Napier. Air New Zealand has reduced the cost of travelling to and from the communities hit hardest by Cyclone Gabrielle, with lower fares for all flights into and out of Gisborne and Napier until February 28. |
Thursday 16 Feb 2023
Wednesday 15 Feb 2023
The Lower North Island has just been rocked by a strong earthquake.
The magnitude-6.1 quake struck at 7.38pm on Wednesday and was centred 50km northwest of Paraparaumu, at a depth of 48km. Geonet classified the quake as “strong”.
Fears cyclone death toll will rise, as bodies seen floating in water
A man helping chopper crews pluck people from roofs in flood-hit Hawke’s Bay believes the death toll is likely worse than reported, having seen at least one body floating in water he could not reach.
On Wednesday, a young child was found dead in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle and more than 1400 people have been reported uncontactable, police say.
It’s finally moved off coast and cleanups continue. The country was hammered. Thank you to all those heros and heroins who saved the day and for all the many weeks of work ahead.
Tuesday 14 Feb 2023
This is the third time in history a national state of emergency has been declared. The other two were also recent, Covid and the Christchurch earthquakes. The rationale is for emergency services to be distributed around the country where needed. The main message – stay safe!
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty has confirmed a national state of emergency was declared at 8.43am.
The Middle North Island, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa are heavily under cyclone conditions. Wellington and top of South Island are feeling the effects now.
A firefighter is missing and another seriously injured. Growing numbers of homes are being evacuated.
Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Stay home. Stay safe.
Sunday 12 Feb 2023
Updated rain forecast to Tuesday
Current position of storm as of 10 AM Sunday 2 Feb 2023.
Big Hit or Near Miss… Cyclone Gabrielle inches closer
Saturday 11 February 2023 5:16 PM
Experts say… prepare for the worst. It’s a good moment to prepare anyway. Associate says… she’s gonna turn left… and do a near miss. But whatever happens, it’s going to be wet and a little windy. Best you get prep’d anyway huh. Even the ‘oh, she’s gonna fizzle’ brigade is still preparing for the worst. Wise! Remember most out there are interested in their own positions. What does your psychi say right now?
Now is the time to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle
Saturday 11 Feb 2022 8:53 AM
NEMA and Civil Defence update
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says now is the time to prepare, as Cyclone Gabrielle approaches.
Civil Defence Emergency Management director Roger Ball says “now is the time to take action to get your whānau and your household ready. This means preparing for the possibility of power cuts and road closures. It’s also a good idea to have a grab bag in case you need to evacuate. If you don’t have a household emergency plan, sit down and have a prep talk with your family and friends about what you’ll do to support each other in an emergency.
“If you can, take some time to prepare your whare for high winds and heavy rain. Clear gutters, report blocked drains or culverts to your local authority and secure any loose items, including flood-damaged items awaiting disposal.
“Stay safe by staying out of harm’s way. Try and run any important errands before the weather hits so you won’t need to do any non-essential travel in treacherous conditions.”
Friday 10 Feb 2022 8:00 PM
Cyclone Gabrielle slides back closer to Auckland, gusts of 140kph possible
The latest update: The cyclone has moved west towards Auckland. Coromandel will still get hit the worst.
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says people need to “sit up and take notice” as Cyclone Gabrielle approaches the country, promising another destructive storm in the north.
Friday 10 Feb 2022 mid day
Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is in the Coral Sea moving southeast and reached “severe” category 3 status on Friday.
MetService says it is expecting a “significant weather event” with strong wind, heavy rain and large swell from Sunday.
On Friday morning, MetService issued heavy rain watches for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.
These watches could be upgraded to orange, or possibly red, warnings in coming days, depending on the track taken by the cyclone.
Strong wind watches were issued for Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula.
Updated Thursday 9 Feb 2023 PM
Cyclone Gabrielle to bring significant severe weather to north and central New Zealand. The coverage at this point is anywhere from Wellington to Auckland.
https://zoom.earth/storms/gabrielle-2023/
- Cyclone Gabrielle expected to hit the upper North Island on Monday
- Auckland Emergency Management will hold a 1pm press conference on Thursday, related to the recent flooding
- Officials are working on advice for the public
- Not yet clear which parts of North Island will be worst hit
- MetService hasn’t forecast severe weather past Tuesday, but rain is forecast for main centres nationwide on Wednesday
NIWA has released tracking range for the cyclone
Please refer to Metservice for updates and tracking.
Updated 11:18 AM 9 Feb 2023
Refer global cyclone tracking website for live updates.
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