Desley Simpson: Auckland deputy mayor on Aucklanders still recovering from flooding as Cyclone Gabrielle hits - The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

North Islanders are warned to prepare for the worst as Cyclone Gabrielle moves closer.

MetService has issued a Red Heavy Rain Warning for the Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne, north of Tolaga Bay.

Up to 400 millimetres of rain could fall on the regions , with peak intensities of up to 30 millimetres per hour tomorrow.

Northland, Auckland, the rest of Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay are under Orange Wind and Rain Warnings. Waikato is also under a wind warning.

Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson says advice suggests this event will differ from Auckland's earlier storms, but will be no less destructive.

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