Sydney – Reuters. Cyclone Fiaone hit New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, causing power outages for thousands of residents, forcing hundreds to evacuate, and officials warned that conditions would worsen throughout the day. According to the National Weather Service (MetService), the cyclone brought destructive winds exceeding 130 km/h, heavy rain, and high waves even before it was expected to make landfall in the afternoon. Authorities declared a state of emergency in several areas and issued red-level wind warnings, which are reserved for the most extreme weather conditions. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell stated that the cyclone is moving "more towards the fringes" of the North Island, sparing the country's most populous city, Auckland, the worst of the weather, but stronger winds and higher waves are expected as it crosses the coast. He added: "In terms of what we expect over the next twelve hours, we will see a slight increase in the intensity of the cyclone." He noted that the cyclone has forced hundreds of residents to evacuate and caused power outages for about five thousand homes so far, with electricity restored to around two thousand of them.
