Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says the city is well-prepared and taking the threat of Cyclone Gabrielle seriously.<\/p>\n
He said it would be a challenging time, but Auckland was well-prepared and taking it seriously.<\/p>\n
“This time we’ve got a lot more warning and we are better-prepared.”<\/p>\n
He said the build-up to the cyclone had been “intense”.<\/p>\n
“I’m well aware of the remote rural areas. I’ve ensured that they’ve been included in all of the planning, not just an urban-based plan.”<\/p>\n
He said emergency services are on high alert, and asked for people to check on neighbours, whanau, friends that they are okay.<\/p>\n
“Aucklanders are strong and resilient and we will get through this. Stay safe. Kia kaha.”<\/p>\n
Deputy mayor Desley Simpson urged people to reach out if they needed help.<\/p>\n
“You’ve still got time, Auckland. Please prepare. There will be destruction from this cyclone.”<\/p>\n
Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Rachel Kelleher confirmed that Monday and Tuesday rubbish collections will not happen and the next collection won’t be until next collection date.<\/p>\n
She said several programmes of work – such as the flood-affected property from kerbsides – had been stopped, and would resume once the impact of Gabrielle was known.<\/p>\n
She said this would be a “severe and potentially devastating weather event”, and urged people to take advice seriously.<\/p>\n
“I want to assume you that supermarkets will continue to remain open. They’re well-stocked.”<\/p>\n
She said individual supermarkets might shut if they were affected.<\/p>\n
Kelleher said anybody going to a shelter could take pets such as “contained cats” and dogs on leashes with them.<\/p>\n