Police prioritising people uncontactable, isolated, following cyclone Gabrielle

Tūranganui-a-Kiwa  - Around 3544 people have been registered via the police 105 online reporting form as uncontactable following cyclone Gabrielle. The vast majority are from Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti.Police, including specialist search and rescue staff, are prioritising rescue and recovery efforts in those areas.

Additional police staff are already on the ground, with more to come in the days ahead. These officers will assist with recovery efforts and conduct highly visible reassurance patrols throughout affected areas.

While the worst of the weather has passed, Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti still face significant and potentially life-threatening challenges in the wake of cyclone Gabrielle.

Police are focused on locating those unaccounted for and reaching anyone who may have been isolated by flood waters.

Searches are being carried out carefully and methodically, which takes time. Police know many people are concerned about family members and friends in the region and they have a dedicated team working through reports submitted via the police 105 online reporting form.

Four hundred and fifty people have reported themselves safe however we expect that number to rise significantly.

If people are still unable to reach a loved one, police ask them not to submit multiple reports.

The fifth cyclone fatality, the body of a man in his 60s, was recovered from flood waters in Gisborne.

Many rivers remain flooded, and water levels are dangerously high. Police are asking people to stay out of and away from all floodwaters. If people have evacuated their homes they should stay where they are until the all-clear to return is given.

Motorists are urged to stay off the roads unless their travel is urgent. Private vehicles are causing unnecessary congestion on local roads, delaying the response of emergency services to people in need of assistance.

Police are responding to some reports of burglaries across the district and will be taking a hard line with anyone acting unlawfully and compounding the suffering of our hard-hit communities.

It is a stressful and challenging time for many whānau so everyone affected should take a breath and tautoko (support) each other in the times ahead, police say.