The full extent of the destruction from Cyclone Gabrielle - from the east coast regions of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne to Auckland’s west coast beach settlements of Muriwai and Piha - is starting to dawn.
Thousands of peopleare out of their homes, many remain “uncontactable” on a missing-person database, and new images reveal wrecked roads and bridges, properties, and infrastructure. Nearly 150,000 people were still without power across the North Island yesterday - and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council said this morning that Napier should expect to be without electricity for the next two weeks.
Gisborne police have confirmed they located a deceased individual in the region, who was believed to have died from floodwaters. This brought the death toll of Cyclone Gabrielle to five, but North Island locals fear this toll could rise further with recounts of “multiple bodies” spotted during the storm.
Image 1 of 43: A truck has been left overwhelmed in debris on SH2 between Napier and Wairoa. Photo / Defence
Auckland
Image 1 of 26: People of Piha have been cut off by the effects of the Cyclone with many houseswiped out due to landslides. Photo / George Heard
Coromandel
Image 1 of 23: Flooding in Coromandel. Photo / Supplied
Northland
Image 1 of 12: State Highway 15 from Maungatapere to Kaikohe was damaged by the Cyclone Gabrielle. Slips and collapsed roads have reduced traffic to one lane in places while other areas have severely potholed tarmac. Photo / David Fisher
Rotorua
Image 1 of 16: Government Gardens.
Bay of Plenty
Image 1 of 16: Massive tree brought down in Memorial Park during fierce gales overnight on Monday. Photo / Sandra Conchie
