Cyclone Vaianu struck New Zealand’s North Island on Sunday, bringing a dangerous mix of flooding, power outages and evacuations as severe weather spread across the region.
The cyclone crossed the coast near the Maketu peninsula, according to national weather provider MetService, with destructive winds exceeding 130km/h (80 mph), heavy rain and large swells. MetService described Vaianu as a “life-threatening” system.
As the storm moved inland, hundreds of people were forced to evacuate from affected areas. The combination of strong winds and persistent rain raised concerns about further flooding and infrastructure damage across parts of the North Island.
Power outages were reported in areas hit by the storm, adding to the disruption caused by the cyclone’s arrival. Large swells also battered the coast, intensifying the hazardous conditions faced by residents and emergency responders.
Vaianu’s landfall came as New Zealand authorities monitored the storm closely, warning of its potential impact as it tracked across the country’s northern regions. The cyclone’s destructive winds and intense rainfall made it one of the most serious weather events to affect the North Island in recent days.
Emergency officials have been dealing with the immediate effects of the cyclone, including flooded areas and evacuations from places at risk. The situation remained fluid as the system continued to affect the North Island after crossing the coast.
MetService’s warning underscored the seriousness of the storm, with the weather provider highlighting the life-threatening nature of the cyclone. With damaging winds, heavy rain and rough seas all arriving at once, the storm created widespread disruption across the region.
The full extent of the damage was still emerging after landfall, but the early impact of Cyclone Vaianu was already clear: flooded communities, cut power and people moving to safer ground as the North Island confronted severe and dangerous weather.
