Following the heavy rains that hit Auckland three weeks ago, the powerful Cyclone Gabriel has now hit New Zealand, causing devastating damage in parts of the eastern North Island.
▶︎Click here for information on the heavy rain damage in Auckland
Hurricane Gabriel brought heavy rain and strong winds to New Zealand's North Island from February 12th, and the government issued a state of emergency declaration on the 14th. This is the third time in New Zealand's history that a state of emergency has been declared, following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, which claimed the lives of 28 Japanese people, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Damages amount to more than $8 billion
"Gabriel" weakened on the 16th and left New Zealand, but cities, especially in the Hawke's Bay area, were flooded. Floods and landslides have also occurred, and some cities have been isolated with roads closed. Damage to agricultural and livestock products is also spreading.
As of February 21, 11 deaths have been confirmed, and more than 2,000 people are still missing.
On the 20th, the New Zealand government announced that damages from the cyclone could exceed $8 billion (approximately 670 billion yen), and that it would allocate $300 million (approximately 25 billion yen) for emergency reconstruction measures.
Just one month into his term, the New Zealand Prime Minister is facing major challenges as he deals with the floods in Auckland and now the cyclone.
Prime Minister Hipkins (second from left) visits the scene with New Zealand Red Cross staff.
Animal Rescue Stories
We also received some animal rescue stories.
The first photo in this Instagram post shows a tiny piglet covered in mud. Apparently, the piglet had drifted into the bedroom of the house by chance. He was found resting on a mattress and was later named Lucky and taken into care.
The second photo shows a cow stuck in the mud in flooded Hawke's Bay. A local resident found the cow and posted a picture of it on social media, asking for help. Recovery workers quickly came together and a six-person rescue unfolded.
The third photo shows Lucy the dog who was rescued safely despite floodwaters reaching 6m in height at one point. After her rescue, she was renamed "Lucky Lucy."
New Zealand Red Cross receives $5 million in donations
The New Zealand Red Cross, in cooperation with major newspaper company NZ Herald and its parent company NZME, began collecting donations on its website on February 17. After the collection began, about 200 million yen was raised in the first day and a half, 400 million yen by the weekend, and nearly 500 million yen in four days.
Donations can be made easily by credit card on this page.
▶︎ New Zealand Disaster Fund | New Zealand Red Cross
This cyclone is one of the most devastating disasters in New Zealand's history. The number of victims is expected to increase, and the full extent of the damage is still unknown.
In the eastern part of the North Island, mainly Napier and Hastings, which were the hardest hit, nearly 30,000 homes are still without power even a week after the cyclone hit, and it looks like it will take some time for it to be restored.
