Due to widespread flash flooding and power outages brought on by a minimum of 10 inches of rain, Auckland, New Zealand, is currently under a state of emergency.
More than 1,500 calls for assistance were placed to emergency services as a result of the flash flood, which in some places reached waist-deep levels. People who live in flood-prone areas have been warned to get ready to leave when the situation calls for evacuation.
Most Rain Recorded
The city experienced the highest amount of rain ever recorded there in a single day, according to MetService, the weather agency for New Zealand.
Several major roads were blocked by floodwaters, and the city's airport was forced to close due to flooding. Landslides and power outages have both been brought on by the storms in Auckland.
According to the Associated Press, just before Elton John was scheduled to start performing at 7:30 PM at Auckland's Mt. Smart Stadium, the event was postponed due to hazardous weather.
After the show was canceled on Friday, spectators left the stadium. The concert was expected to draw around 40,000 people, The Weather Channel reports.
The region is anticipated to experience rain for at least the upcoming week, according to MetService forecasts.
Floods, Closed Roads, Canceled Flights
According to Reuters, the blocked roads caused long traffic queues on highways. Police urged people to avoid the roads if at all possible while they worked with Fire and Emergency New Zealand to respond to calls.
Reuters reports that both the domestic and international airports were closed due to widespread flooding. As per reports, the International Terminal's check-in area is knee-deep in floodwater.
According to Reuters, the operations team at Auckland Transport is working to reroute special event buses to assist people in getting home.
Weather Alerts
AccuWeather shows two active weather alerts for Auckland.
Heavy Rain Warning - Red. Forecasters predict 60mm to 120 mm of rain, with thunderstorms and torrential downpours possible over the area. A total of 150mm to 250 mm of rain have previously fallen in addition to this amount. It is possible to reach peak rates of at least 40mm/h to 80 mm/h.
Forecasts also indicate that heavy rain will lessen tonight and overnight from the north.
When there is a severe weather warning or watch, it means that there are likely to be severe storms in the area. People in these areas need to be alert for potentially dangerous weather conditions. The Heavy Rain Warning - Red is effective until January 28, 10:00 AM NZDT.
Strong Winds Watch. The Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited issued a Strong Wind Watch over Auckland, which is effective until January 208, 10:00 AM NZDT as well. Weather forecasters issued a severe gale warning for exposed areas where northeastern winds may approach.
AccuWeather warns during this wet weather that mosquitos, as well as indoor and outdoor pests, are very active. Locals are advised to keep their doors and windows closed, clean out any stagnant water, and wear repellents or long sleeves.
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