New Zealand Disasters: Cyclone Gabrielle (12-16 February 2023)

One of the worst storms to hit Aotearoa in living history, Cyclone Gabrielle affected the North Island and the top of the South Island from 12 to 16 February 2023, with a national state of emergency declared on 14 February. The weather event brought heavy rain and gale-force winds resulting in flooding, landslips, falling trees, evacuations, power outages, road blockages, and a death toll of at least 11. Gabrielle was on a par with Cyclone Giselle (1968) which caused the Wahine Disaster, and Cyclone Bola (1988).

New Zealand had experienced an unusually wet start to 2023 before the powerful subtropical storm hit. Rain began falling on 11 February, and continued for several days. Many places saw all-time daily rainfall records.

Victims of Cyclone Gabrielle

1. John Coates (aged 64)
2. Ivy Collins (aged 2)
3. Marie Greene (aged 59)
4. George Luke
5. Craig Stevens - Muriwai firefighter
6. Dave van Zwanenberg
7. Shona Wilson - volunteer firefighter
8. Bay View, Napier - An as yet unnamed person found washed up on a beach
9. Crownthorpe, Hastings - An as yet unnamed person found
10. Onekawa, Napier - An as yet unnamed person found in their home
11. Waiohiki, Hawke's Bay - An as yet unnamed man aged in his 70s found

As at 22 February 2022, 346 people are still listed as uncontactable.

Links

• NASA
• RNZ