Intense thunderstorms and heavy downpours which “developed intensity quickly” overnight caused localised flooding across some parts of Auckland.
It follows days of heavy rain and strong winds across the North Island due to ex-Cyclone Tam.
MetService meteorologist Alec Holden told 1News that this morning’s thunderstorms and downpours caused localised flooding across the region, particularly from Albany to Mount Roskill which experienced the most rain.
“Those were the areas that saw the worst of that thunderstorms, and they saw between 55mm to 110mm [of rain] overnight and the surrounding suburbs caught between 30mm to 50mm.”
Cars and homes were surrounded by floodwaters as the streets filled with water. (Source: 1News)
He said the forecaster issued a thunderstorm warning overnight when this band of thunderstorms was detected, which was lifted earlier this morning.
“Now in terms of what Auckland’s weather is going to be looking like over the rest of today, the good news is that Auckland is on more of an easing trend.”
“They’ll definitely be still showers, and there is the unfortunate possibility of another thunderstorm developing over like over the western part of the city, however we’re not expecting anywhere close to what occurred overnight.”
Thunderstorms ‘developed intensity quickly’
Auckland Emergency Management General Manager Adam Maggs said this was an intense thunderstorm band that “developed intensity quickly”.
He said daylight has confirmed surface flooding across the roading network in low-lying areas and flood-damage to some properties.
“These weather systems can deliver sharp bursts of high intensity rain; can arrive without much warning; and, depending on where they land, they can cause different impacts.
“Exactly when, where and how much [rain] is also extremely unpredictable.
“Last night all these elements of a storm came together at the same time – residents of Sandringham and Mt Roskill fared the worst with more than 100mm of rain recorded during the thunderstorm,” Maggs said.
“Surface flooding around the roading network has started to dissipate,” he said. “The council’s building inspectors will be out and about today checking houses in affected areas and carrying out rapid building inspections.”
According to Vector’s website, there were a number of unplanned outages impacted the wider Auckland network this morning, but most were restored quickly.
Around 20,000 properties across Auckland lost power during the peak of the thunderstorm last night, the Herald reports.
FENZ respond to 223 weather-related events overnight
Northern Fire and Emergency communications shift manager Michael Anderson told 1News crews responded to a total of 223 weather related events in the Auckland area overnight.
He said the busiest period was between 11.30pm and 3am.
“These callouts were for flooding, fire alarms and two water rescues,” he said.
Anderson said the first rescue was a person trapped in a car underwater shortly before 1am, in the Wesley area. The person was successfully rescued.
Brya Wallace captured video of some impressive lightning in Waimauku, Rodney overnight. (Source: 1News)
The second rescue was a person trapped in floodwater around 3.20am in Onehunga. They were also successfully rescued.
“We are not currently responding to any weather related calls but we have crews ready to assist,” he said.
‘We are very scared’
An Avondale resident told 1News she woke to the sound of thunder early this morning and went outside to see her car half submerged in flood waters.
“I was scared, when I saw the car and saw gas cylinders floating in the water, we called 111.”
She said FENZ advised the family not to stay at the property.
“We are very scared, its me and my daughter living here and we were really, really scared,” she said.
Civil Defence Centre still open at Three Kings
A Civil Defence Centre remaines open at the Fickling Convention Centre, 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings from 4.30am for as long as it is required.
“If you need to leave your home due to flooding, and are unable to shelter with friends or family, please carefully make your way to this centre,” said Maggs.
The centre will offer basic shelter and support for those displaced by this weather event. The Fickling Centre is an accessible site.
If pets cannot be safely left at home, you may bring them with you but they may need to stay in the car.