Cyclone Gabrielle: The New Zealand flood victims too scared to go home - BBC News

Cyclone Gabrielle has sparked a nationwide debate about climate change and vulnerable homes.

1 day agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsClimate changeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Cyclone Gabrielle triggered a nationwide state of emergencyBy Briony SowdenBBC NewsLast month, Cyclone Gabrielle smashed into New Zealand's North Island - killing 11 people and displacing at least 10,000 more. It's triggered a national debate about climate change and whether vulnerable homes should be rebuilt or written off.

"I don't want to go back there," said Amy Bowkett.

The mother of two lived in the Hawkes Bay area, one of the regions worst hit by Cyclone Gabrielle. When the Category 3 storm hit with wind speeds of up to 159km/h (99mph), her home was completely destroyed.

Along with 50 of her neighbours she spent a terrifying 48 hours trapped without power, water or phone signal.  

Eventually she was able to make a call and a friend organised a helicopter rescue from a neighbour's backyard.    

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-64940342?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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