Auckland flooding live updates: Schools evacuated, motorways inundated, Northland, Nelson-Tasman, Coromandel also in for heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornado risk

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A state of local emergency has been declared in Auckland as flooding swamps the region as a MetService meteorologist warns the most intense rainfall is yet to come.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, who is in Sydney on council business, has delegated his powers to deputy mayor Desley Simpson.

Firefighters have responded to more than 200 calls for help across flood-affected Auckland.

Driving conditions are treacherous with multiple closures across the motorway network.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said it was “a serious situation” in Auckland. Waka Kotahi were regularly updating travel information and people should check before travelling.

Streams and rivers have burst their banks in parts of the region and schools and daycares across Auckland are evacuating. State Highway 1 at Dome Valley and the Brynderwyn Hills are closed due to flooding, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says.

In Whangarei, a rescue operation is underway as a school group caving at Abbey Caves have got into trouble.

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Auckland can expect to see 70mm of rain between 5pm and 7pm and 94.5mm over 24 hours, with rainfall rates of 25-35 mm per hour. Parts of the South Island could see 350mm.

Flooding on the Northwestern Motorway in Auckland. Photo / Jason Oxenham

A band of severe thunderstorms have been impacting the Wellsford area and moving south towards the Auckland region.

The forecaster warned of severe thunderstorms ushering in wind gusts greater than 110 km/h and localised torrential downpours.

This morning Waka Kotahi NZTA said surface flooding was starting to be reported on state highways in the Far North, with people urged to delay trips and on alert for possible slips and fallen trees.

Auckland Transport has started to replace some ferry services with shuttles due to the weather conditions.

Services between Auckland and Pine Harbour between 10.20am and 3pm have been swapped for shuttles.

There are also reports that downpours are already starting to batter Titirangi.

Severe Thunderstorms possible today across Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel.

These thunderstorms bring with them the risk of locally torrential rain and damaging wind gusts.

Keep up with the latest at https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/ImkAnRwM56

— MetService (@MetService) May 8, 2023

MetService has issued a tranche of orange heavy rain warnings and watches across the country: In Northland from 7am today to 7pm and Auckland, Coromandel and Great Barrier Island from 9am to midnight today.

This morning Bay of Plenty, Canterbury High Country and Rotorua were all upgraded to an orange heavy rain warning.

Already sodden Nelson-Tasman is under a fresh warning of 130mm possible between 6am until 11pm. Marlborough could see 100mm in 9 hours until 4pm.

🌧️Now's the time to make sure your bad weather plan is up to date. Read more on OurAuckland: https://t.co/JYRJWoOEqe

— Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) (@AucklandCDEM) May 8, 2023

The South Island’s Grey and Westland districts could see upwards of 350mm in the 36 hours until 9pm today and Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound could get 160mm in 24 hours until 1pm. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place.

The Civil Defence’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) encouraged people to prepare for the deluge over the next two days, especially for areas already sodden by a wet week.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Auckland Radar Area https://t.co/G6PLtMJf42 pic.twitter.com/H0X6YWLE3l

— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) May 8, 2023

Auckland Emergency Management, the city’s Civil Defence group, said: “Now is the time to make sure your bad weather plan is up to date.”

“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be dangerous,” MetService said.

Tuesday will be an active day for a good part of the country, especially the upper North Island.

Here's a look at our high-res forecast - note the bow shaped 🏹 appearance. This indicates...

🌬️ Risk of damaging thunderstorm wind gusts

💧 Heavy rain/flooding are also a concern pic.twitter.com/onKGqhIKsF

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) May 8, 2023

A heavy rain warning is also in place about Mt Taranaki from 9am to 9pm, where 100mm could fall in.

A heavy rain watch, where rainfall amounts could reach warning levels, was issued in Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, north Taranaki, Buller, and the headwaters of the Otago Lakes - all to lapse by 9pm today.

‘We are in this together’: Authorities prepare for more rain

NEMA Director John Price is warning people to take care, be prepared and avoid unnecessary travel.

“Given the amount of rain that has already fallen we want people to be aware that there is an increased possibility that there could be landslides,” Price said.

“If you are driving be alert to areas of collapsed roading or slips of mud and rocks.”

The National Coordination Centre (NCC) has been partially activated by NEMA to assist response organisations and Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups around the nation in their reaction.

Get ready for heavy rain. We are encouraging people to get prepared as a new weather system brings significant rainfall over the next two days.https://t.co/y0U3QDO8ip
For more information on how to prepare go to https://t.co/XW5LEJ9U4k

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) May 8, 2023

“This is a widespread heavy rain event, and NEMA is engaging with CDEM Groups to ensure they have the resources they need,” Price said.

“The Government stands ready to help the affected regions, some of which were badly hit during recent severe weather events in various parts of New Zealand

“We are in this together so check on your neighbours, friends and whānau.”