Cyclone Gabrielle event 2023 - Public information release #1

Published on 14 February 2023

As Cyclone Gabrielle affects the North Island, Whanganui residents are advised to stay home where possible and only drive where necessary.

Rural roads such as the Parapara Road (SH4) and Whanganui River Road should only be used when essential, due to risks of slips and tree fall as a result of the current weather.

Emergency Manager Tim Crowe says, while Whanganui is predicted to escape the worst of the rain and wind, there is likely to be strong southerlies reaching 80km per hour with continued sporadic rain up to Wednesday.

“Other than a tree blocking a road in Ranana, no other storm events have been reported. However, Powercuts may occur, so please review your family preparedness plans,” he says.  

He says to avoid beaches, particularly the North mole, due to rough coastlines.

Tim Crowe says the Whanganui District Civil Defence Emergency Management team is likely to move to support other districts in the Horizons region, including Tararua and Rangītikei districts, which are being heavily affected by the cyclone.

“Once we are comfortable about our local situation, we can offer help to our neighbours in the Horizons region, who are likely to be more affected by heavy winds and rains.

“We work as team across the region and have skilled Civil Defence Emergency Management staff in Whanganui who could help out elsewhere, but as they say, we have to ‘put on our own oxygen mask before helping others’ so once we are confident locally, we can support the region.”

For further information about what do in a storm, visit https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/what-to-do-during-a-storm/

For weather updates visit https://www.metservice.com/national

ENDS