February is normally the hottest driest month of the year,
but not so in 2023. It wasn’t cold last
night, but it was certainly dismal and dreary and we welcomed the sight of our
log fire as we hunkered down for the evening.
Cyclone Gabrielle (now classed as an ex-cyclone) has been
causing devastating damage, equivalent to (if not worse than) that caused by
Cyclone Bola in the late 1980s.
The government has now declared a National State of
Emergency, only the third time in the country’s history for this to happen. It means that local Civil Defence centres can
now officially be helped by national resources.
Many rivers have burst their stop-banks. Roads are closed. Landslides have been frequent. Trees are down in every area. Thousands of residents are without
electricity. Many others have been
evacuated from their homes.
I doubt there is anyone in the North Island who does not
know somebody who has been impacted in some way, and for many places the
situation is still worsening.
Hamilton itself has escaped the worst, with most damage
being caused by trees coming down in the strong winds. We went to sleep last night with torrential
rain and howling wind, but by 2.30am the rain had stopped and by 6am the winds
had died down as well.
This morning we have even had some sunshine, although the
clouds are still black and there is the occasional strong gust of wind.
Our TV is on and we are watching extended coverage from
around the Island. It is sobering – more
so as we are still waiting to hear that certain friends and family are safe.
Sending arohanui (much love) to all those affected by this
storm,
Margaret.
That looks Cosy. We didn't light fire because the strong winds were battering the chimney. We are lucky to still have power although no tv.
ReplyDeleteGoodness Margaret - good to read that you are ok but scary to know that people have been seriously affected so soon after all that flooding. We hope you stay safe and thst friends znd fzmily are likewise safe, warm and hzve access to food. Xxx Mr T
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds devastating! Hope you are doing alright and everything gets back to normal fairly quickly!
ReplyDeleteGood to know you are o.k. I didn't sleep until 1:00a.m. thanks to the wind noise, and the rain hitting my very large bedroom window.... woke at 7:00 and it was almost eerily quiet - the wind is up again now, and it's spitting. We have family in Gisborne whom we cannot contact.... it's a nervous wait!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
Oh, I hope they are alright. We've heard family in Whangamata and Matarangi are OK, but still no communications with those in Hastings. The winds have picked up here again as well, from a different direction this time (but the sun is currently shining!). Stay safe, Mxx
DeleteHope everyone is safe, Margaret! Take care.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear you are safe Margaret! Such a devastating cyclone, so scary. We are keeping an eye on cyclone 'Dingani', it is supposed to track South before it comes too near. Unpredictable as they are, it may change its trajectory.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear your ok. But it’s so heartbreaking seeing all the devastation on the TV.
ReplyDeleteI've been closely following the cyclone. My neice is on Great Barrier. She was battered of course but is fine. Like you, staying close to the fire. Everyone else is talking about trees down and flooding. My mother often talked about Bola. They lived next to the sea and the beach was completely changed.
ReplyDeleteNews of the cyclone was on TV here - so much damage done. Hope you soon hear that your friends and family are all OK
ReplyDeleteIt sounds bad. Good to hear you are okay.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds scary and oh. The work that is ahead. I still have the bad smell from Ingo´s old home in my nose when it was flooded.
ReplyDeleteAll the things we could but throw away... and pay money for that, too.
It was in the aftermath the best that could happen cause ever since we live together.
But I certainly feel for those who have to go through this now.
2C here, "too warm for the season"... Weird weather, hugs...
It was and is a most devastating cyclone! So many people and whole communities shattered. I wish your countrymen well.
ReplyDeleteIt's comforting to know that you're okay but so many others are definitely not. What strange and violent weather. I hope you hear from your friends in Hastings and that they're alright. GM
ReplyDeleteThankfully we have made contact now. They are ok amongst all the devastation around them, but know others who haven't been so fortunate.
DeleteDown in Wellington city we've suffered nothing worse than very strong winds, downpours and transport disruptions, but we've friends and family further north for whom it's much more real. This is going to take years to get over, and certainly change the mindset as far as climate change goes! That fire looks comforting. I'm glad your family has made contact. Kia Kaha.
ReplyDelete