Only three national states of emergency have ever been proclaimed in New Zealand’s history, according to the Xinhua news agency
Before Cyclone Gabrielle unleashes its full wrath, the New Zealand government issued a National State of Emergency on Tuesday.
According to the Xinhua news agency, this is just the third time in New Zealand’s history that a national state of emergency has been proclaimed.
As power outages, aircraft delays, and school closings are occurring in six North Island districts, including Auckland, New Zealand’s largest metropolis, emergency preparations have been made.
After approving the declaration on Tuesday morning, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty stated, “This is an unusual weather phenomenon that is having substantial repercussions over much of the North Island.”
The six areas that have enacted a local State of Emergency on Monday will be included by the proclamation.
According to McAnulty, this designation will provide the government the ability to assist the impacted areas, offer extra resources as required, and assistance in establishing priorities for the response across the nation.
The National Controller has the legal right to deploy resources all throughout the nation in support of a national level response when there is a national state of emergency, he explained.
Only two weeks ago, record-breaking rainfall and flooding swamped Auckland and the nearby area of Waikato.
In order to protect their houses, save food and water, and be ready for any required evacuations in the coming days, the administration has advised locals to make sandbags. Locals are urged to prepare their own sandbags in case of emergency at one of the many sandbag stations that have been put up across Auckland throughout the course of the night.
The extreme weather warning should be taken seriously, and people should “remain at home, cancel any unnecessary travel,” according to New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.
An 11.5 million New Zealand dollar ($7.25 million) Community Support Package was made public by the New Zealand government on Monday to assist those affected by the recent flooding and their preparations for Cyclone Gabrielle.
Over 25,000 individuals have received assistance with food, clothes, housing, bedding, and medicine. According to Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni, many families will experience anxiety and distress due to the significant disruption caused by the floods and impending cyclone. People have lost their homes and vehicles, and families are having additional difficulties getting their children back to school.
The government has put in place a number of supports to improve the emergency response in Auckland, including the package announced on Monday.
