A state of national emergency has been declared as Cyclone Gabrielle continues to cause destruction across the te ika a Maui - the North Island. The declaration, signed at 8.43am, applies to Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawke's Bay, and gives the National Emergency Management Agency the power to step in and provide additional support and logistics to local civil defence organisations. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes which are at risk of flooding, slips and other damage due to strong winds and rainfall. Power is out across many parts of the North Island and dozens of roads are closed - with towns cut off, bridges washed away and river banks burst. The east coast and Hawkes Bay are paticularly hard-hit, with extremely limited communication due to two major damaged fibre lines, cell towers down because of no power. It is unknown when they will be repaired and back online. People are being asked to conserve water - limiting to hygiene and drinking water only. National Emergency Management is telling people to put safety first, don't take any chances, and to head to higher ground if you see rising water. The Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty joins Midday Report to discuss the situation.