Cyclone Gabrielle lashes northern New Zealand

A damaged property in Titirangi, Auckland Monday. Pic/AFP

Residents in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland and the surrounding area are being told to brace for more heavy rain, flooding and gale-force winds as Cyclone Gabrielle nears.

Gabrielle, is sitting 250 km (155 miles) northwest of New Zealand and was forecast to move close to the east coast over the next 24 hours. "We expect the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle to get, unfortunately, worse before they get better," said Rachel Kelleher, Deputy Controller Auckland Emergency Management on Monday. "It's not the time to be complacent," she added.

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Last month Auckland and surrounding areas were hit by record rainfall that sparked floods and killed four people.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Monday announced a NZ$11.5 million ($7.25 million) package to support community groups such as food banks and to groups impacted by the floods. On Monday, many schools and local government facilities in Auckland and upper North Island were closed and people were asked not to travel. States of emergency are in place in Auckland and five other regions.

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