New Zealand declares emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle eases

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The New Zealand government has declared a national state of emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country’s north in what officials described as the nation’s most severe weather event in years. Authorities said a firefighter is missing and another has been rescued with critical injuries after they were caught in a landslide over Monday night near the country’s largest city, Auckland. Auckland was swamped two weeks ago by a record-breaking storm that killed four people. The government said Tuesday that the national declaration enables the government to support affected regions and provide additional resources. Weather conditions eased on Tuesday as the weather system tracked over ocean southeast away from New Zealand.