As New Zealand’s largest city prepare for its second major storm in as many weeks, flights have been cancelled and schools closed.
Auckland residents are hunkering down at home as they prepare for Cyclone Gabrielle’s expected heavy rain, flooding, and gale-force winds.
Due to the suspension of flights, cancellation of train service, and closure of most libraries and schools, residents of the city and its environs were advised to stay at home except for absolutely necessary trips.
Approximately 250 kilometres (155 miles) northwest of New Zealand, Gabrielle is expected to approach the east coast within the next 24 hours.
“We expect the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle to get, unfortunately, worse before they get better,” said Rachel Kelleher, deputy controller of Auckland Emergency Management, on Monday.
“It’s not the time to be complacent,” she added.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Monday announced a NZ$11.5 million ($7.25 million) package to support community groups such as food banks and to groups impacted by the floods.
The cyclone comes two weeks after a record-breaking storm swamped Auckland and killed four people.
States of emergency were in place in Auckland and at least five other regions.
The approaching storm has already brought down trees and damaged roofs, with power cut to 46,000 homes. Mobile phone services were also reported to be patchy in some areas.
Air New Zealand has cancelled 509 flights and said flights will resume on Tuesday when the weather is expected to improve.
Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said overnight that Auckland and Great Barrier Island could see heavy rain and winds.
“I think parts of Auckland that have not yet seen challenging wind conditions are expected to see gales overnight,” she said.
“Storm surge is still coming and might peak with the high tide at 2am for eastern parts of Auckland.”
She added that given Auckland was already saturated, some localised landslides and surface flooding were expected.