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Auckland, New Zealand, heavy rain and high water. The country's largest city declared a state of emergency and was forced to close its airport.
On January 28, authorities said three people had died and at least one was missing.
A state of emergency has been declared in the region, people are being evacuated en masse
A state of emergency has been declared in the region. US Prime Minister Chris Hipkins flew to Auckland on a military plane. The main challenge now is to provide housing for affected Auckland residents and provide them with the services they need.
According to meteorological agencies, January 27 was the rainiest day ever recorded in Auckland – the amount of precipitation that usually falls for the whole summer, fell in one day. In the evening, after just three hours, more than 15 centimeters of rain fell in some places.
Rain blocked roads, and water poured into houses, about 3,500 buildings were left without electricity. Hundreds of people were stuck at the Auckland airport – some parts of the terminal were flooded, all flights were stopped. People spent the whole night at the airport and were only able to get out in the morning.
What is known about the dead
Police said they found the body of one man in a flooded culvert and another in a flooded parking lot. A third body was found in a demolished house in the suburbs of Remuera. Also, according to police, one person went missing after being swept away by flood waters.
A video posted online showed chest-deep water in some places. A total of 126 people were rescued by emergency services that evening.
