New Zealand has declared a state of emergency in response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced an emergency relief package worth $186m to help with the recovery and relief efforts, while Finance Minister Grant Robertson warned that the final cost of the storm could be as much as $8bn.
The cyclone hit the North Island’s northernmost region on February 12 and tracked down the east coast, leaving 11 people dead and 2,200 unaccounted for. The destruction caused by the storm is unprecedented in New Zealand’s history, with Prime Minister Hipkins noting that the “required investment to reconnect our communities and future-proof our nation’s infrastructure is going to be significant”.
The relief package includes $250m to fix critical roads across disaster-hit regions, and a further $50m in emergency support for businesses and primary producers. New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has warned that the death toll is likely to rise, with difficulty in communications hampering efforts to make contact with affected people. To address this issue, the government has deployed 60 Starlink satellites, built by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, with another 30 on the way, to plug gaps in the telecommunications network.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with search and rescue teams still working in cyclone-damaged areas. Roughly 15,000 people across the North Island remain without power, while roads are closed and people are reporting issues getting cash. The government is expected to provide more relief and rebuilding funding as the recovery process continues.
The New Zealand government has taken decisive action in response to Cyclone Gabrielle, extending the national state of emergency for a further seven days and announcing an emergency relief package worth $186m. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has warned that the cost of rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure could be significant, while Finance Minister Grant Robertson has estimated that it could reach as high as $8bn.
Search and rescue teams are still working in cyclone-damaged areas, while power and telecommunications remain down for some homes. The government has deployed 60 Starlink satellites to help restore communications, with another 30 on the way, while also providing emergency support for businesses and primary producers.
The death toll from Cyclone Gabrielle currently stands at 11, with 2,200 people still unaccounted for. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has warned that the number of deaths could rise as recovery efforts continue. The government is expected to provide more relief and rebuilding funding as the situation develops.