Three dead as torrential rain causes disastrous New Zealand flood

• The city experienced its wettest day on record on Friday.
• Heavy rain is still expected to continue for the next few days, meteorologists say.
• Prime Minister: “It’s going to be a big cleanup job”.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said that catastrophic flooding and multiple evacuations in New Zealand as a result of excessive rain have resulted in three fatalities and at least one person missing.

“The loss of life underscores just the sheer scale of this weather event and how quickly it turned tragic,” Hipkins said in a press briefing after meeting with emergency services and surveying the damage in Auckland. “It’s clear that it’s going to be a big cleanup job.”

He had gone to Whenuapai, which is north of Auckland, to see the impacted areas.

“This is an unprecedented event,” Hipkins, who was only sworn into office this week, wrote on Twitter. “We will get as much support to you as we can.”

The largest city in New Zealand, Auckland, has been severely impacted by thunderstorms and heavy rain.

With an estimated 240mm of precipitation, or the equivalent of an entire summer’s worth of rain, on Friday, the city experienced its wettest day on record.

According to airport authorities, extensive flooding had an impact on both terminals and roads. Twitter users posted images and videos of passengers wading through water in terminals.

Due to the flooding, thousands had also camped out at the terminals over night, according to officials.

Over 400 weather-related emergencies were reported, according to search and rescue teams.

After that, the rain stopped. However, meteorologists indicated that although not as intense, heavy rain is still predicted for the next few days.

Hipkins reiterated the government’s focus on “making sure we support Aucklanders,” while speaking to press alongside Auckland’s mayor and disaster management officials on Saturday.

After that, the rain stopped. However, meteorologists indicated that although not as intense, heavy rain is still predicted for the next few days.

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