Well, I was looking out my window last night and what a vast difference it was a year ago when Cyclone Gabrielle was bearing down on our region.
Rain and strong winds arrived on February 13th and lashed us all that night. When dawn broke the next morning, the devastation was apparent everywhere. People’s homes were flooded and some destroyed beyond repair. Roads and bridges were washed away — and some are still not back to normal. Wairoa and Napier endured similar devastation. Some land will never be the same again.
Power and the internet went down. It was days before communication links were back up, but the council set up a makeshift internet signal. Lines of people were trying to get a signal, even in horrid weather. We were isolated, which is becoming normal now.
I believe Cyclone Gabrielle was way worse than Bola. So, today I will be reflecting.
K.A. Richardson
