Cyclone "Vaianu" struck New Zealand's North Island, bringing gusts exceeding 130 kilometers per hour, heavy rain, and large ocean waves, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate high-risk areas and causing power outages across several regions.
Cyclone "Vaianu," a Category 3 storm, hit New Zealand's North Island, resulting in strong gusts, heavy rainfall, and storm surges that prompted red-level warnings in multiple regions.
The impact of Cyclone Vaianu produced wind gusts over 130 kilometers per hour, strong enough to rip roofs off houses and damage infrastructure, especially in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas, which suffered the heaviest damage.
Initially, over 5,000 homes lost power before crews managed to restore some electricity. Hundreds of residents were evacuated for safety, with New Zealand's defense forces deploying heavy machinery to assist. The town of Wanganui reported over 100 millimeters of rainfall within 24 hours.
Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management, stated that despite maximum preparations, it was fortunate the storm shifted more toward the eastern coastline, sparing Auckland—the country's most populous city of over 1.8 million people—from severe damage. "The storm moved toward the island's edge and eastward, meaning we did not face the severity initially predicted, which is very positive," he said.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance, especially regarding high tides combined with giant waves expected in the afternoon, which may cause flash flooding along coastal areas.
This storm has reminded New Zealanders of Cyclone Gabriel in 2023, which caused massive losses including 11 deaths and extensive damage. Cyclone Vaianu is following a similar path, expected to move across the eastern part of the North Island and exit through Hawke Bay by the evening of the same day.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths, and rescue teams remain on call around the clock to respond to emergencies.