Cyclone Vaianu is causing significant flooding and damaging winds as it approaches New Zealand’s North Island, prompting warnings of potentially life-threatening conditions.
According to MetService, New Zealand’s meteorological authority, the cyclone is moving south towards the Bay of Plenty and is expected to make landfall today. The cyclone’s center is currently situated east of the Coromandel Peninsula, where winds have reached gusts exceeding 130 kilometers per hour.
Stace Tahere from Bay of Plenty Emergency Management informed Radio New Zealand that the area is experiencing severe winds, heavy rainfall, and large swells, resulting in power outages and the issuance of evacuation orders.
Mr. Tahere indicated that while conditions have already become hazardous, the most severe impacts are anticipated shortly. Authorities are advising drivers to avoid flooded roads, particularly in towns near Coromandel, following incidents where vehicles attempted to navigate through floodwaters.
In the Waikato region, located south of Auckland, Radio New Zealand reported approximately 800 power outages and multiple evacuations due to flooding. Fallen trees have also obstructed various roadways.
Julian Snowball, the Waikato Civil Defence Group Controller, communicated to local media that the cyclone could lead to additional power outages and road closures, potentially isolating some communities. He noted that emergency evacuations are being coordinated for several homes, with displaced residents being accommodated by friends and family. Civil Defence Centres are available throughout the region for those in need of shelter.
On Saturday, MetService advised residents in coastal locations to evacuate, emphasizing the dangerous combination of high winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding. “This is a multi-hazard situation that could be life-threatening,” they stated.
A state of emergency has been declared in major North Island regions, including Tauranga, which recently experienced landslides that resulted in eight fatalities. Additionally, flood warnings have been issued for Auckland.
The weather service forecasted that Auckland, home to 1.7 million residents, could see up to 110 millimeters of rain from late Saturday into Sunday afternoon, with expectations of heavy swells and potential coastal flooding. They cautioned that rivers and streams may rise quickly.
Gareth Wallis, the controller of Auckland’s emergency operations center, stressed that this is not the time for sightseeing or taking risks, urging the public to respect closures put in place to safeguard lives.
Alison Stern, the director of Beach Point Apartments at Ohope Beach, is one of many residents in Whakatane, on the northeastern coast, who have evacuated following a council order. She expressed concern about the steep cliffs behind her property and the proximity to the water as the storm approaches.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon warned on Friday that the cyclone poses a serious threat and encouraged those in its path to prepare adequately. He advised residents to ensure their drains are clear, check on neighbors, and be ready for potential power outages.
The arrival of Vaianu has rekindled memories of Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, which resulted in 11 deaths and displaced thousands, marking one of New Zealand’s most significant natural disasters in recent history.
