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NZ Floods: Man Missing, Evacuations Urged
21 Jan
Summary
- Authorities urged evacuations in low-lying areas due to continued heavy rain.
- A man is missing after being swept away with his vehicle in a river.
- Landslides and flooding have caused road closures across the North Island.
New Zealand's North Island is facing severe weather conditions, with continued heavy rain and strong winds triggering widespread flooding, swollen rivers, and landslides. Authorities have urged residents in several low-lying areas to evacuate and prepare for potential further displacement.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has reported multiple road closures due to slips and flooding, severely disrupting travel. Emergency services are actively searching for a man who went missing earlier on Wednesday after being washed away with his vehicle during a river crossing near Warkworth.
The Northland region, particularly towns like Oakura, is of significant concern due to saturated ground conditions. National forecaster MetService has issued warnings across the top half of the North Island, highlighting the threat to life from dangerous river conditions and the possibility of communities becoming isolated.
