People fill up sandbags at a public collection point in preparation for the arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle in Auckland, New Zealand, February 12, 2023. REUTERSPIX: Around 58,000 homes are without power in New Zealand's upper North Island on Monday as the approach of Cyclone Gabrielle brings strong winds, heavy rain and huge swells to Auckland and nearby regions.
It is now sitting just north of New Zealand, with weather forecasters expecting rain and winds to intensify as it nears land during Monday and Tuesday. The meteorological agency Metservice said Whangarei, a city north of Auckland, had received 100.5 mm of rain in the past 12 hours, while winds of 159 km per hour had been recorded off the coast of Auckland.
“There has been significant disruption to public transport with aircraft, ferries, buses and trains either suspended or operating on a reduced schedule,“ McAnulty added.