Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato lashed by heavy rain

A home has collapsed in Tauranga and residents have been evacuated, while Waitomo has declared a state of emergency as heavy rain that lashed Auckland spreads further through the North Island.

Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and parts of Waikato have been hit hard by stormy weather overnight and more bad weather is forecast to hit the Auckland region today, offering no respite to residents still recovering from record rainfall and heavy flooding that left up to four people dead.

Meanwhile, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into an incident on Friday in which an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 “lost control on the ground” during Auckland’s wild weather.

Tales of heroism and tragedy have emerged from the disaster, with emergency services and civilians swimming through perilous and filthy waters over head height to effect rescues.

Among the fortunate survivors was a 3-year-old boy rescued by lifeguards as he slept on a couch that was floating inside a home in Kumeū.

On Friday evening police, fire crews and civilians waded through deep waters to rescue 30 residents from a swamped Pukekohe rest home.

Hundreds of stranded travellers have spent another night at Auckland Airport.

Flights are resuming this morning.

[Source: NZ Herald]