Cyclone Gabrielle death toll rises to five as recovery starts

FILE PHOTO: Cars are seen in a flooded street during heavy rainfall in Auckland, New Zealand January 27, 2023, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. @MonteChristoNZ/via REUTERS

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Recovery efforts continue in New Zealand Thursday after Cyclone Gabrielle caused havoc across the North Island leaving at least five people dead, displacing 9,000 and causing significant damage.

Gabrielle, which reached New Zealand on Sunday before making its way down the east coast of the North Island, cut off entire towns, washed away farms, bridges and livestock, and inundated homes, stranding people on rooftops.