Storm lashes Auckland
AUCKLAND: People in Auckland have begun the task of cleaning up drenched homes and filing insurance claims after a massive storm saturated the region again yesterday.
More than 320 properties were flooded, including 225 in West Auckland, with some inundated by waistdeep water.
Heavy rainfall between 10am to 1pm caused flash flooding around Auckland, with New Lynn the worst affected.
The downpour cut power to nearly 3000 homes. Civil Defence issued a warning to stay out of floodwaters which could be contaminated by sewage.
MetService meteorologist April Clark said around 80mm fell in Auckland over a 24 hour period but the effects were exacerbated because up to 50mm fell in a single hour across West Auckland.
Suburbs affected by flooding included: Kaukapakapa, Devonport, Parnell, Remuera, Eden Terrace, Blockhouse Bay, Morningside, Massey, Westgate, Whenuapai, New Lynn, Avondale, Titirangi, Henderson, Te Atatu, West Harbour, Glendene and Glen Eden
The Fire Service responded to 582 emergency 111 calls yesterday. At its peak they picked up one call every 24 seconds.
Emergency services were stretched pumping water from saturated homes and attending slips.
New Lynn was one of the worst hit areas after floodwaters submerged cars, poured into properties and a footpath was pushed into six businesses.
Water flooded through the ground floor of a block of flats and a commercial building, sparking the evacuation of 35 people.
The MetService said the heavy rain that had hammered parts of the North Island had passed and the weather would now get better.
Most of the North Island can expect a few showers heading into the working week, but come tomorrow the umbrellas can be stashed away.
West Auckland took a hammering yesterday, recording an intense rainfall of up to 49mm between 11am and noon..
It was a startling end to a week of wet weather in most of the North Island with Northland, East and South Auckland and the Coromandel all feeling the brunt of the heavy rain.
Despite the bad weather there was only one major road closure yesterday, on SH27 between SH26 and No 4 Rd at Tatuanui. It is now open.