New Zealand storm Gabrielle: Tense wait as ex-cyclone moves over North Island
Some people have been told to evacuate there homes and the worst weather is expected on Monday.
prativad 
Authorities have declared a precautionary state of emergency in New Zealand's most northern region as the remnants of a tropical cyclone hit the country.
Gabrielle was downgraded from a category two to a category one storm before it made landfall but is still forecast to bring severe weather.
Power outages have been reported and roads have been closed due to flooding.
Parts of the North Island were badly damaged by flooding only weeks ago.
Northland declared a state of emergency then too over fears of unprecedented rain, but those concerns proved to be unfounded.
This time, however, gale force winds and heavy rain has been reported, leaving thousands of people without power. They have been warned that it may take days for power to be restored.
"This is a serious event for New Zealand," meteorologist Georgina Griffiths told Radio New Zealand.
People who knew their homes were flood-prone were advised to evacuate ahead of the storm's arrival.
Declaring a state of emergency gives local authorities greater power to respond to dangerous situations and allows them to restrict travel and provide aid.
