Massive flooding event closes Auckland airport and city facilities

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has declared a state of emergency after torrential rain caused widespread flooding and evacuations in New Zealand's largest city.

Large areas of the city have been impacted by flash flooding leading to  mass evacuations across the city and the closure of Auckland Airport.

Mayor Brown made the state of emergency announcement this evening (27th January), advising in a statement "this declaration reflects the extent of damage, displacement and disruption caused by this evening's severe weather event and enables emergency services and response agencies to draw on resources, and enact additional powers, to assist affected Aucklanders.

"The region has experienced widespread damage from flooding and torrential rain, with reports of slips and inundation.

"Infrastructure and emergency services alike have been overwhelmed by the impacts of the storm."

Flights into Auckland have been delayed or cancelled due to the wild weather, with images posted on social media showing parts of the city's airport terminal - the busiest in New Zealand - completely flooded.

In an announcement on Twitter, Auckland International Airport has advised "Auckland Airport terminals and roading (sic) are currently impacted by widespread flooding.

"We are requesting people do not travel to the international terminal at this time."

In a separate tweet, Auckland Airport said runway operations had been reduced after a runway lighting was damaged by a landing aircraft.

Auckland Emergency Management said that northern, north-western and western parts of the city were affected by significant flooding, with conditions expected to worsen.

On Twitter the agency advised "severe weather is currently affecting the Tāmaki Makaurau region, with areas in the north, north-west and west of Auckland affected by significant flooding.

"We're working with emergency services to establish what help is needed on the ground."

Musician Elton John's concert at the Mt Smart Stadium, which had been expected to be attended by about 40,000 fans, is understood to have been abandoned.

Facilities across the city including the Auckland Art Gallery, ​Maritime Museum, Western Springs Stadium and Franklin Arts Centre are closed.

Click here to view current facility closures.

Image courtesy of Auckland Council.