The death toll from Cyclone Gabrielle has risen to five as emergency workers survey the destruction from New Zealand’s worst storm this century.
A fifth death was confirmed early on Thursday morning in the Gisborne region, where police believe the person was caught in flood water.
A volunteer firefighter was crushed in a collapsing house in Muriwai, in Auckand’s west, and three have died in Hawke’s Bay, where flash-flooding took many by surprise.
More than 10,000 have been dislocated by the cyclone, with thousands spending the night at civil defence centres in hard-hit regions.
Maik Beekmans, a resident of Eskdale who was on holiday during the cyclone, told Radio NZ a woman was still missing after failing to escape rising waters at his property on Tuesday.
Mr Beekmans’ best friend Gareth and his girlfriend had spent three weeks house and dog-sitting when they found themselves in the path of the storm.
“They sought refuge on our bench-top in the kitchen and the water kept rising. He smashed his way through the ceiling,” he said.
“They both managed to get into the ceiling, when the water kept rising into the ceiling space they had to clamour onto the roof.
“As they were trying to make their way onto the roof, only Gareth made it.
“We think he lost his girlfriend that night. She disappeared underwater. She disappeared under the house and she’s been missing and things aren’t looking great.”
A missing persons report has been filed for the woman, with Mr Beekmans stuck in transit in Auckland and unable to get to Napier to surveil his property.
“We don’t know anything. We’re trying to locate our dogs but I’m not holding our breath,” he said.
“The orchard is completely ruined. The house is gone. Sheds, trucks, there’s literally nothing there.”
Already, one fatality has been confirmed in Eskdale: a child who died in floodwaters.
New Zealand media have detailed other eyewitness reports of bodies or missing people, which are yet to be confirmed.
Both police and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Wednesday they held grave fears for several other people in Hawke’s Bay.
Police have received 1442 reports of uncontactable people – most from Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti communities – but are attributing the “vast majority” to telecommunications breakdowns.
Transport Minister Michael Wood said “there’s an immediate focus on those necessities of life where people need them.”
“There’s still a huge amount of work going on today to provide welfare support and make sure people are accounted for,” Mr Wood told Radio NZ.
“There’s deep concern when we hear those reports (of missing people).”
More than 700 defence force personnel have joined the effort, with 70 police also re-stationing to the eastern regions where concerns are highest.
Food and water drops have taken place to towns that have lost road access, with the navy sending supplies from Auckland by sea.
© AAP 2023
