A state of emergency could be declared on New Zealand’s West Coast as early as tonight as Cyclone Gita could bring very strong winds of over 150kmh and heavy rain to a vast area of the country when it hits tomorrow night.
Gita, which caused havoc in Tonga last week, has New Zealand’s South Island in its "firing line". Its centre is predicted to make landfall in the northwest tip of the island late Tuesday.
And West Coast residents "getting their lives back together" after the devastation of ex‑tropical cyclone Fehi a fortnight ago could be among those worst affected.
Nelson that was hit hard by Cyclone Fehi and its mayor, Rachel Reese, told RNZ that people should prepare for Gita.
Forecasters say the heavy rain could start in central areas of the country from tomorrow, and a few hours later in Canterbury and Westland, North Otago could be also be affected.
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