New Zealand: Cyclone Gabrielle claims four lives, rescue efforts across nation

Water gushes from a storm drain access port on a street in Te Awanga, southeast of Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency across the country's North Island, which has been battered by Cyclone Gabrielle. (Warren Buckland/Hawkes Bay Today via AP)

Cars dodge fallen trees on a road at Cook's Beach, east of Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency across the country's North Island, which has been battered by Cyclone Gabrielle. (Mike Scott/New Zealand Herald via AP)

People walk through flood water in Hastings, southeast of Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency across the country's North Island, which has been battered by Cyclone Gabrielle. (Paul Taylor/Hawkes Bay Today via AP)

A tree lays on the ground after falling and hitting a house in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency across the country's North Island, which has been battered by Cyclone Gabrielle. (Jason Oxenham/New Zealand Herald via AP)

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, left, visits the Emergency Civil Defence Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency across the country's North Island, which has been battered by Cyclone Gabrielle. (Dean Purcell/New Zealand Herald via AP)

In this image released by the New Zealand Defense Force on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, a person is winched from a rooftop of a home to safety by helicopter in the Esk Valley, near Napier, New Zealand. The New Zealand government declared a national state of emergency Tuesday after Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country's north in what officials described as the nation's most severe weather event in years. (New Zealand Defense Force via AP)

In this image released by the New Zealand Defense Force on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, people stand on a rooftop of a home waiting to be winched to safety by helicopter in the Esk Valley, near Napier, New Zealand. The New Zealand government declared a national state of emergency Tuesday after Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country's north in what officials described as the nation's most severe weather event in years. (New Zealand Defense Force via AP)

In this image released by the New Zealand Defense Force on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, debris and logs pile up against a building after flooding in the Esk Valley, near Napier, New Zealand. The New Zealand government declared a national state of emergency Tuesday after Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country's north in what officials described as the nation's most severe weather event in years. (New Zealand Defense Force via AP)