New Zealand West Coast residents still reeling from a devastating storm a fortnight ago could be among those worst hit when Tropical Cyclone Gita, which wreaked havoc in Tonga and Ono-i-Lau, makes landfall.

MetService has issued a severe weather watch, warning the cyclone  is likely to cross New Zealand later tomorrow or early Wednesday.

Civil Defence and Emergency Management director Sarah Stuart‑Black said Gita "has the potential to pack a punch and cause a lot of disruption".

The storm comes less than three weeks after ex‑tropical cyclone Fehi smashed into the West Coast.

Source: Stuff.co