Bad weather in New Zealand claimed lives of 7 people

02/17/2023

1 minute read

2023.02.17 02:44

By Tiffany Smith

Budrigannews.com – Cyclone Gabrielle’s death toll increased to seven on Friday, and New Zealanders were informed that the number was likely to rise as a result of the fact that emergency services have not yet contacted hundreds of communities.

“We do need to prepare for the fact that this is likely to result in more fatalities across the nation. “We won’t know for a while the true extent of that,” New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stated.

Before making its way down the east coast of New Zealand, the cyclone, which struck the uppermost part of the North Island on Sunday, cut off entire towns, washed away bridges, farms, and livestock, inundated homes, and left people stranded on rooftops.

More than 3,000 people were listed with the police on Thursday as having not yet communicated with friends or family since the cyclone struck. The majority of those on the list, according to police, do not appear to have access to any communication networks.

Hipkins stated, “This is without a doubt the biggest natural disaster that we have seen probably this century.” Because it covers such a large area, the damage is of a significant magnitude.”

In one of the worst-hit regions, the Hawke’s Bay region, which includes the towns of Napier, Hastings, and Wairoa but is mostly rural, two temporary morgues have been established.

It is still difficult to communicate and get to some places, and surveillance flights are being taken to look at the damage and figure out who might be alone.

Food, water, medicine, and fuel are being transported into remote areas by truck convoys, and the military is bringing the necessary supplies into east coast areas by ship.

While search and rescue teams continued their work, helicopters and boats continued to visit remote communities in Hawke’s Bay to check on people.

The weather has started to get better, and on Friday, much of the North Island should see some sunshine.