It’s just the third time a state of emergency has been declared across the nation

 
New Zealand’s government has declared a national state of emergency for just the third time in its history.

It follows Cyclone Gabrielle causing widespread flooding, landslides and huge ocean swells, forcing evacuations and even stranding people on their roof tops.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins thanked rescue workers who have been working around the clock.

“It has been a big night for New Zealanders across the country, but particularly in the upper North Island … a lot of families displaced, a lot of homes without power, extensive damage done across the country,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told reporters after the declaration.

Gabrielle is 100 km east of Auckland, near the east coast of the country’s North Island and is expected to move east-southeast, roughly parallel to the coast. #trending #featured