Only two weeks after Auckland was struck by flood waters, New Zealand declared a national state of emergency on February 14 as Cyclone Gabrielle, the worst storm to hit the country in this century, devastated the North Island. The cyclone displaced more than 10,000, and 4 have been confirmed dead.
According to Sally Lavea, ADRA New Zealand program manager, there has been significant damage, particularly in Northland, along the coastal regions.
“Flooding, landslips, fallen trees, and downed power lines all creating havoc for those service providers trying to restore access and services across the various regions,” said Lavea.
“People were struggling today to come to terms with the incredible loss of life, property, animals, roads, and crops—from Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel, Hawke’s Bay, and Tairawhiti, including Gisborne,” she added.
Damage to Adventist-owned buildings is still being assessed. A few Adventist schools across the North Island were hit by strong winds and heavy rain, causing flooding, but no major damage has been reported so far.
“While our schools may have escaped relatively lightly, we pray for those parents and members of staff whose homes have been more seriously affected and whose communications and infrastructure have been disrupted—in some cases, seriously,” said Dan Carrasco, Adventist Education director for the region.
In efforts to ease the impact, ADRA sent communications the week before, encouraging churches to follow best disaster-ready practices, including how to make an emergency plan. In mid-February, ADRA opened up its “Love Thy Neighbour” response for local churches to register and engage in the response efforts in their local communities affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Church members in Auckland are volunteering at local centers. In Kaitaia, the local Adventist church has partnered with the trusts in the area to open its doors and provide food packs, information, and clothing.
“A combination of church members and Trust staff are gladly working together, transforming the church hall into a center of well-being—reaching out and connecting with many whānau/families and individuals—providing relief from emotional stress in practical and relational ways. The church facilities became a hive of activity for three days,” said Pastor Shane Harper.
The original version of this story was published by the South Pacific Division’s news site, Adventist Record.