'We're ready': State of emergency declared, Sth Akl councillors urge calm

Safety first is the main message from Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina, following the Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s declaration of a state of emergency.

The Auckland councillor is urging people to check in on loved ones, and to call 111 if they face imminent danger.

“Safety first, look after yourselves, check on your family and contact emergency services if you’re in trouble.”

Filipaina says council has already improved its response compared to what happened during the Auckland Anniversary floods.

“When Met Service put out a severe weather warning last week, we began talking and we’re ready to set up Moana-a-Kiwa as an emergency centre if need be,” Filipaina says.

“The lessons have been learnt, an alert has already gone out, an interim management plan was set up last week and my message to our community is please stay safe and call 111 for any emergency.”

Fellow councillor Lotu Fuli has asked people to “heed the warnings and stay at home if possible".

“Our councilors and AEM team are working in the background to ensure civil defence centres and support will be ready if required. Please stay calm, stay home and stay safe”

Filipaina is also working to get sandbags to vulnerable families to help reduce flooding risk.

Mayor Wayne Brown has delegated his responsibilities and powers to Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson.

“While I am assured that emergency services are coping with the volume of call outs at the moment, and that they do not require emergency powers, I consider it is necessary to communicate to the public that this is something to take seriously.”

An emergency alert was issued for Auckland by Civil Defence at around 12pm this afternoon, while heavy rain continued to cause increasing havoc across the city.

Brown is in Sydney for meetings relating to Auckland's light rail provide.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are affecting the Auckland region and expected to continue through the evening, potentially through to midnight tonight.

AEM rep Rachel Kelleher says rainfall up to 75ml in an hour has been measured.

Fire and Emergency services have responded to 88 calls for help between 9am and 12pm this morning.

Brad Mosby, on-call Commander for Tāmaki Makaurau says: “These callouts mostly include flooding that had entered buildings. However, some slips and fallen trees have been recorded with one tree catching fire due to lightning.”

Auckland Transport (AT), urges Aucklanders to head home early if possible and to delay all non-essential travel.

Stacey van der Putten, AT Executive General Manager Safety says: “There are already significant disruptions and delays to public transport services today, with buses, trains and ferries all subject to delays and cancellations.”

Bus drivers have also been reminded this morning to follow diversions put in place and to not drive through floodwaters themselves.