Cyclone Vaianu causes severe flooding and evacuations
Cyclone Vaianu has made landfall on New Zealand's North Island, causing severe flooding, widespread power outages, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The cyclone struck near the Maketu peninsula, bringing winds exceeding 130 km/h (80 mph), heavy rainfall, and large swells. States of emergency have been declared in several regions, and MetService issued 'red' level wind warnings, indicating the extreme severity of the weather system. While Auckland has been spared the worst, other areas are experiencing significant impacts, including flooded homes and disrupted infrastructure.