A powerful cyclone named Uyanu looms over New Zealand, prompting mass evacuations and emergency declarations across the North Island. Officials ordered thousands from their homes Saturday, preparing for what could be catastrophic weather. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a stark warning via X, calling for immediate action to safeguard lives and property.
Luxon detailed the timeline: Uyanu hits the far north Saturday afternoon, raging through the night into Sunday across northern regions and upper South Island. Brace for fierce winds, deluges of rain, river overflows, slope failures, sea surges, blackouts, blocked roads, and cut-off towns.
Preparation is key, the PM advised. Now’s the moment to fasten down loose objects, unclog stormwater systems, clear rubbish, stock up for outages, devise exit plans, and support those in need nearby. When it strikes, hunker inside—skip non-essential trips, ignore flooded paths. Spot water rising or ground shifting? Trust your gut, evacuate without delay; no need for formal signals.
Stay informed via MetService’s latest alerts and Civil Defence guidance, Luxon posted. The Meteorological Service predicts landfall Sunday, with the system veering west of Chatham Islands Monday, packing 130 km/h gusts and heavy precipitation.
In Whakatane, population 37,150 and 270 miles north of capital Wellington, evacuations are underway amid declared states of emergency. New Zealand’s resilient communities gear up, prioritizing protection in the face of this intensifying peril.
