New Zealand experienced heavy flooding and damage due to Cyclone Tam last week through this weekend.
What started out as a tropical low hovering over the South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu was upgraded to Cyclone Tam on April 14 by the Fiji meteorological service, media reported. The cyclone then moved southeast toward New Zealand, bringing winds of 100 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour) to northern parts of the country, including to the city of Auckland.
Northland, the northernmost region of New Zealand, saw some 3,500 homes lose power by April 15 as the cyclone downed trees and power lines.
One yacht reportedly sank. Strong winds also left the cruise ship Royal Princess stuck at the Port of Auckland for a few days.
The cyclone’s impact peaked on April 17, with more than 8,700 homes affected in Northland. Cellphone towers were damaged and multiple flights and ferry services were suspended.
The Coromandel Peninsula was isolated for a night after a major highway was flooded, and at least one person had to be rescued after being stuck in a car amid rising waters, local media reported.
By April 18, New Zealand’s MetService said “the worst is over for the northern regions” and reported that Northland experienced winds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph). By then, some places like the Pinnacles, Golden Cross and Glenbervie had been hit with more than 200 millimeters (8 inches) of rain.
However, even as the cyclone was expected to further weaken, heavy rain continued on April 19. In Auckland, around 750 lightning strikes were reported and 150 emergency calls were made, a report said.
Cyclone Tam also caused “wild surf conditions” on beaches in neighboring Australia, media reported, killing at least five people over the weekend.
On April 21, New Zealand’s MetService announced the start of better weather as it posted online: “Cyclone Tam this, Cyclone Tam that, Cyclone Tam to get outta here! While there is still a severe thunderstorm watch over the central North Island, Tam is continuing to weaken and sunshine will become a more common sight over the next couple of days.”
Utility company Wellington Water warned people to stay out of the water after wastewater overflowed at the Moa Point, Seaview and Titahi Bay treatment plants. The same news report mentioned that an Auckland resident found an eel in his garage after flooding, which was promptly returned to the nearby creek.
Meteorologist Alec Holden was quoted telling local media that while Cyclone Tam had remained in New Zealand longer than expected, the weather should improve soon. “It is gradually losing steam, we’ve seen the worst of the rain at this point, although that does not mean the rain has stopped currently, but we are most certainly on the easing trend.”
Banner image of Cyclone Tam via New Zealand MetService.
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