Auckland experienced its wettest day on record on Friday, in an unprecedented flood event that claimed four lives, closed Auckland Airport and damaged infrastructure and houses.
The Auckland region is still under a state of emergency as more heavy rain is expected early this week.
Auckland recorded 249 mm of rain on Friday, beating the 1985 record of 161.8 mm. It is also Auckland’s wettest January since records began.
Fire crew responded to 719 weather-related incidents, answered 2242 emergency calls, and made 126 rescues on Friday and during the early hours of Saturday. Emergency services confirmed on Sunday that four people have died as a result of the flooding.
On Sunday evening, Auckland Council confirmed that thousands of properties were damaged by flood waters. Access was restricted to 141 properties and at least 30 properties were completely unsafe to enter.
Several highways remain closed in the upper North Island and flooding is continuing to cause problems on some motorway off-ramps.
Roads with current closures include:
- State Highway 1 at the Brynderwyn Hills in Northland is closed from the intersection with SH12 to Waipu.
- SH1 between Port Marsden Hwy (SH15) and Marsden Point Rd.
- SH2 between SH25 and SH27.
- SH25 between Coromandel and Whitianga. The section of the highway between Thames and Coromandel is open under stop-go traffic management.
- SH25A, which links the two coasts of the Coromandel Peninsula.
- SH37 at Waitomo, between the roundabout at SH3 and Fullerton Road.
Auckland Airport has reopened after its international terminal was flooded on Friday but its chief executive said it could be several days before flight schedules returned to normal. Departing passengers are advised to check their flight schedule before heading to the airport.
New heavy rain warnings have been issued for Northland and Auckland over Monday and Tuesday. Other areas considered at risk of heavy rain in the next few days are Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua.
Auckland’s tap water is safe to drink, emergency services have said. Some areas in the west have no water or low water pressure. Aucklanders have been advised not to swim at any beaches due to contaminated waters.
Where to get help
- If your life is at risk, phone 111. Do not call this number for emergencies that are not life-threatening.
- If you need urgent accommodation assistance, phone 0800 22 22 00.
- For welfare assistance, call the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 400 100.
- Report flooding, damage to drains, or stormwater problems at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-problem.
- To report landslides or slips on public land call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101, or to report slips that might affect roads, call Auckland Transport on 09 355 355.
- When it’s safe, the Student Volunteer Army will assist those who need it. Request assistance here or sign up to volunteer.
