Auckland flood victims anxious as Cyclone Gabrielle barrels towards NZ

Thursday, 9 February 2023

Tia Toarea-Katia has lost everything in flood, and is now living with 15 others in a three-bedroom home.

Auckland flood victims are suffering sleepless nights as a new tropical cyclone looms on the horizon.

Cyclone Gabrielle, which is currently over the Coral Sea, is due to hit the North Island early next week.

While forecasters said there was still uncertainty about where it would hit or its full impacts, it was likely to bring heavy rain and severe gales.

Officials are preparing additional Civil Defence evacuation shelters around Auckland and the Defence Force has been brought in to clear flood waste from kerb sides.

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Mt Roskill resident Catherine Beggs’s property got flooded three times in 10 months.

Mount Roskill resident Catherine Beggs, 65, has had her home flooded three times in 10 months.

“It was almost like the Earth has been twisted and we are getting all the weather that Australia used to get, up in Brisbane and up in the Pacific Islands, and now New Zealand is getting it.”

Tony Pervan at his rental property on Parrish Rd in Sandringham, where he was helping his tenants clean the house out after the floods.

Onehunga resident Greg Capper said he felt “anxious” as the cyclone approached.

“Once it starts really pouring down, it takes half an hour for the drains to get clogged in no time. The water can jump into my house easily.”

“We are definitely not prepared for another storm. We need some summer time.”

Takapuna resident Tony Pervan said he was “concerned” about the weather and the response from the insurance company.

“Nobody could be prepared for a storm like the one that struck the city last month. I hope it doesn't hit us as hard.

“I am anxious about it a little bit, but we will have to take the time as it comes.”

Pervan, who owns a yellow-stickered property in Sandringham, said his primary concern was how long it would take insurance companies to respond to any new flooding.

“My primary concern is the insurance company to respond. I understand there is a massive backlog for them to clear and I feel for them.

“I am concerned about the weather knowing that we are likely to get flooded again. And more concerned about getting a resolution to get this thing [flooded properties] fixed.”

Umbrella Wellbeing clinical psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland said feeling anxious and nervous was natural and the key was to be prepared.

“There is going to be rain again, whether you like it or not. [However], the first step is to be physically safe and prepare for the danger.

“Sharing your experiences and feelings with other people who have been in similar situation can help.

“You don’t have to talk about rain. Just be with the people and the community so that you don’t feel lonely.”