Drains Burst Open in Auckland Amid Flooding Emergency

The mayor of Auckland, New Zealand, declared a state of local emergency in the city following intense rain and flooding on Friday, January 27.

Mayor Wayne Brown said the declaration would better allow emergency services to assist locals.

Auckland’s MetService said that over 15 cm of rain fell between 9 am and 8 pm on Friday, coming close to breaking the previous rainfall record.

Newly appointed Prime Minister Chris Hipkins tweeted that “all relevant government agencies are working flat out to help in an extraordinary set of circumstances.”

Footage recorded in the Kingsland area by Ian Steward shows water bursting out of several drain covers on Friday evening. Credit: Ian Steward via Storyful

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