News > New Zealand declares national emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle pounds North Island

New Zealand declares national emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle pounds North Island

New Zealand declared a National State of Emergency on Tuesday for the third time in its history as Cyclone Gabrielle pounded the North Island with wind and rain, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes. Winds gusts of over 140 kmph were recorded along the coast, with waves close to 11 meters high off the Bay of Islands. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the full scale of the disaster only became apparent as the country woke Tuesday.