In Pics | Cyclone Gabrielle wreaks havoc in New Zealand

New Zealand declared a National State of Emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc. Flooding and landslides were reported due to the cyclone and nearly 9,000 people were displaced. The cyclone also knocked out power to nearly 2,50,000 residents and thousands of people are out of their homes.

New Zealand declared a National State of Emergency after a potent cyclone flooded parts of the country. Credit: Reuters Photo

The cyclone knocked out power to nearly 2,50,000 residents, stranded people on rooftops and swept at least one sailor out to sea. Credit: AFP Photo

The cyclone, Gabrielle, battered most of the North Island, the northern part of the country, which includes its most populous city, Auckland, according to the National Emergency Management Agency. Credit: AFP Photo

Military officials said that at least 200 members of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force were involved in the response. Credit: Reuters Photo

Officials said that the cyclone had socked the North Island with heavy rain, severe winds and very large waves before moving out to the sea. Credit: AP Photo

MetService, the national weather authority, said that wind gusts of more than 90 mph had blasted many parts of the island and that a few exposed areas had reported gusts of more than 105 mph. Credit: AP Photo

Nearly 16 inches of rain fell in some parts of the North Island, according to MetService, and nearly eight inches fell in Auckland. Credit: Reuters Photo

Roads throughout the North Island were flooded, he said, and travel delays were expected at airports. Officials said that heavily flooded roads had made it difficult to replenish dwindling food and water supplies in some areas. Credit: Reuters Photo

Hundreds of flights were cancelled as a tropical storm lashed the north of the country. Credit: AP Photo

The storm was expected to move away from the North Island on Wednesday (Feb 15), weakening along the way. Heavy rain was expected to drench parts of central New Zealand through Thursday. Credit: Reuters Photo