Cyclone Cook: Evacuations as huge storm lashes north NZ

by Dramelin 2:00 AM 0 comments

Heavy rain is lashing New Zealand`s North Island as Cyclone Cook, called the worst storm in generations, hits the north-east of the country.
States of emergency have been declared in the Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty, with landslips, flash flooding and downed power lines closing roads.
Some coastal areas have been evacuated, with 5m (16 ft) waves, storm surges and 150km/h (90mph) winds forecast.
But Auckland, New Zealand`s largest city, has been spared the worst.
The storm made landfall in the Bay of Plenty at about 18:30 local time (06:30 GMT).
It is then expected to move to the South Island early on Friday.
It comes after severe floods caused by the remnants of Cyclone Debbie hit some parts of the country last week.
The storm has been classified as an extra-tropical cyclone.
That means it has changed into a different weather system as it approached to New Zealand, but has not necessarily weakened or been downgraded, according to New Zealand`s MetService.
Residents in the low-lying parts of the Coromandel were told to leave immediately.
Schools and businesses across the island closed early, while residents in affected areas were urged to stock up on emergency supplies.
Flights across the country have either been delayed or cancelled, and national carrier Air New Zealand has suspended operations from Tauranga Airport in the North Island.
The cyclone formed around Vanuatu on Sunday and moved towards New Caledonia, bringing heavy rain and winds and causing cuts to power and water supplies.
One man died in New Caledonia when he was trying to cross a river to a friend`s home.
New Zealand weather officials said Cyclone Cook would be the worst to hit the country since 1968.
They have warned that it would bring a "phenomenal" amount of rain and wind, reported The New Zealand Herald newspaper, compared with Cyclone Debbie which was more spread out.
Cyclone Debbie hit Australia at the end of March, before its remnants moved towards New Zealand.
It soaked New Zealand cities like Wellington and Auckland.
Authorities are now worried about how Cyclone Cook will impact land that is already saturated from heavy rains.