Heavy rainfall in New Zealand has led to devastating landslips, resulting in multiple people reported missing. On Wednesday, a man was swept away in Warkworth, located in Auckland’s north, as severe weather conditions caused widespread disruption across the North Island. Meteorologists from MetService issued a rare red weather warning, indicating a “threat to life” in several regions, a measure typically reserved for extreme weather events.
The storm delivered unprecedented rainfall, with areas of the Coromandel peninsula receiving over 200mm on Wednesday alone, while the Bay of Islands experienced more than 150mm. The city of Tauranga, situated near Mount Maunganui, recorded 295mm of rain in just 30 hours leading up to 06:00 on Thursday. The intense rainfall culminated in a landslip that occurred around 09:30 on Thursday morning.
Eyewitnesses reported dramatic scenes at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, where the landslip struck campervans and a shower/toilet block. Local lifeguards shared footage capturing the moment of the landslide, which also affected popular walking trails in the area. Alister Hardy, a nearby fisherman, described the chaotic atmosphere, stating he heard “rolling thunder and cracking of trees” before witnessing the hillside give way. “There were people running and screaming, and I saw people get bowled. There are people trapped,” he recounted to the NZ Herald.
In Warkworth, a man in his 40s was swept away while driving his car through the swollen Mahurangi River. Fortunately, a passenger managed to escape to safety. As authorities continue their search efforts on Thursday, rescue operations are underway in the remote Tairawhiti region, where locals have become stranded. Reports indicate that residents in Te Araroa have been trapped on rooftops due to rising floodwaters.
Rescue pilot Mark Law, who previously assisted during the 2019 Whakaari-White Island volcanic eruption, has been conducting checks in the area to facilitate rescue operations. Additionally, a couple in Welcome Bay, near Tauranga, were rescued after a landslip impacted their home, with one individual sustaining serious injuries, according to local MP Tom Rutherford.
The storm has left thousands without power in regions including Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Tairawhiti. The red weather warnings issued by MetService are significant, marking the first rain-related alert of this kind since Cyclone Gabrielle struck in early 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of 11 lives and causing damages amounting to $A8 billion.
As New Zealand grapples with the aftermath of this severe weather event, the focus remains on ongoing rescue efforts and ensuring the safety of those affected by the storms and landslips. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to remain vigilant in the face of rapidly changing weather conditions.
