A state of emergency has been declared in Auckland, New Zealand after severe flooding saw people forced to evacuate their homes, and closed the city’s international airport.
Dramatic footage on social media shows firefighters rescuing stranded people from their homes using ropes and rescue boats, and the main terminal of the airport underwater.
New Zealand weather agency MetService warned of flash flooding and hazardous driving conditions throughout the city.
On Friday night, transport authorities closed parts of State Highway 1, the main highway that bisects Auckland.
