At least 5,000 homes in New Zealand's Far North District have been left without power on Sunday as tropical storm Gabrielle hits the country. The national meteorological service said the heaviest rain is expected on Monday, with the worst affected areas receiving 350-450 mm of rain and winds reaching 120-140 km/h. Bay of Islands near New Zealand's North Island has seen waves as tall as 11 m.
"Extreme rain and wind are expected for many North Island regions, accompanied by phenomenal seas along northern and eastern shores, and significant storm surge near, and slightly in advance of, the cyclone’s center," head of Weather Communications at MetService Lisa Murray said. "The wind of this strength combined with rain means rain could be almost horizontal making it very difficult to walk in and rain could get under the eaves of houses adding to the flooding risk."
