New Zealand declares state of emergency in Wellington as floods hit

New Zealand has activated a state of emergency in Wellington, its capital, following severe flooding triggered by intense rainfall on the North Island. The deluge overwhelmed infrastructure, leaving vehicles submerged, trees uprooted, and homes damaged by landslides. A record 77mm of rain—equivalent to 3 inches—fell in under an hour in Wellington on Monday, according to Mayor Andrew Little.

Residents were urged to remain indoors as authorities anticipated further downpours. The mayor highlighted the intensity of the weather, stating, “The wild weather continues. We’ve had flooding, slips and evacuations… The flooding has been strong enough to move cars, and many manhole covers have been lifted,” in a Facebook video. Meanwhile, the minister for emergency management, Mark Mitchell, warned of worsening conditions, advising, “If you are in the Wellington region, be prepared. If you are going to evacuate, make those decisions early and keep yourself updated with information.”

Disruptions spread across the city, with flights canceled and schools closing. Over a dozen people were evacuated, and a 60-year-old man from Karori was reported missing. No deaths have been confirmed yet. The recent flooding follows Cyclone Vaianu’s passage through the North Island just days prior, intensifying concerns about ongoing weather impacts.

Residents shared harrowing accounts of the disaster. In Kingston, one told Radio New Zealand that he fled on his neighbor’s motorbike after a landslide blocked a road early Monday. “It’s definitely a big event,” he said. “You wouldn’t have wanted to be under it, it wouldn’t have been survivable.” A Mornington resident described water flooding his garden, stating, “A huge deluge, flow, river in fact, flowing through the garden,” as he recounted the scene to RNZ.

The Wellington region’s emergency management office recommended delaying non-essential travel and relocating to family or friends’ homes in flood-prone areas for at least 24 hours. The Wellington City Mission has been established to provide temporary shelter for those affected.