New Zealand police still seeking 23 people after Cyclone Gabrielle

FILE PHOTO: A view of flood damage in the the aftermath of cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke?s Bay, New Zealand, in this picture released on February 15, 2023. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - The number of people still "uncontactable" in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle that lashed New Zealand two weeks ago has dropped to 23, New Zealand police said on Friday.

Police have been working to reach people that friends or family had registered as uncontactable. The number of people uncontactable topped 6,000 following the cyclone as communications were cut off to many areas.