New Zealanders evacuated from coastal areas as the storm hits

In New Zealand, hundreds of people have been evacuated from some coastal areas as the second major storm in just over a week made landfall near the North Island town of Whakatane.

Weather authorities had said the country is potentially facing the worst storm since 1968, but residents of the nation's largest city Auckland, breathed a sigh of relief as the remnants of Cyclone Cook moved past them to the east.

Authorities had feared the storm could hit the city and cause major problems. A state of emergency remained in effect for the Bay of Plenty and the Thames-Coromandel district.

Roads were blocked by fallen trees and landslides, and about 15,000 homes in the eastern Bay of



Plenty have lost power. Civil defence authorities said people from about 250 homes in the beach town of Ohope were told they had to evacuate, while other households chose to leave.

Air New Zealand suspended flights from Tauranga Airport and other flights around the country were also delayed or cancelled.The storm also caused power disruptions to hundreds of homes in Whakatane and Tauranga. The military said it had placed 500 troops on standby to assist those affected, if required.

Sarah Stuart-Black, Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, said the storm is extremely serious and severe weather warnings are in place for much of the country.