WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s national flag carrier canceled dozens of flights on Sunday as Aucklanders braced for downpours from Cyclone Gabrielle, two weeks after a record storm killed four people and flooded the largest city in the country.
Air New Zealand said it had canceled many international flights as well as all domestic flights to and from Auckland and would last until midday on Tuesday. The company said some international routes would continue to operate although some flights from Auckland may have to be diverted.
The airline has also canceled domestic flights to and from the cities of Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupo.
Cyclone Gabrielle hit northern New Zealand on Sunday. Forecasts say the storm could drop 25 centimeters (10 inches) of rain in Auckland on Monday.
Gabrielle’s winds had slowed hours earlier as the cyclone slowed. Gusts of 130 kilometers per hour (80 miles per hour) are expected.
Weather service MetService has predicted a weather event of “great magnitude and consideration” with showers, gales and high surf.
“Please take this seriously, we are expecting inclement weather,” New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told reporters.
“Please make sure you are prepared. Make your preparations in case you need to stay locked down for a while or need to evacuate.
A few hours earlier, the cyclone had passed near the remote island of Norfolk, an Australian territory of around 1,750 people.
Norfolk Island Emergency Management Director George Plant said on Sunday he had said all was well.
He noted that there was still little debris on the roads and some downed power lines.
“We were very lucky to get through this cyclone without being hit by the most destructive winds,” Plant wrote on Facebook.
“However, there is still a lot to clean up and restoring services, such as electricity, could take time,” he added.