��һ�ǿ�����

• A Civil Defence centre was set up in Auckland overnight after intense thunderstorms caused flooding. 
• Streets filled with water, cars were stranded and homes surrounded by the rising deluge. 
• Ex-tropical Cyclone Tam brings heavy rain and large waves to the North and upper South Islands. 
• A second weather system is approaching, with low potential for developing into a tropical cyclone. 

An “arm of rain” that stretched out from the centre of ex tropical Cyclone Tam dumped a deluge of water on Auckland during severe thunderstorms overnight causing flooding in worse-hit areas. 

Streets filled with water, cars were stranded and homes surrounded by flooding as up to 110mm of rain began falling just after midnight. 

The rain was accompanied by intense thunder and lightning – shaking sleeping Aucklanders’ homes, as well as their nerves. 

Firefighters responded to a report of a person trapped in her vehicle on Sandringham Rd. 

And a man had to climb out of his car window after becoming trapped by floodwaters on Onehunga Harbour Rd. 

Asked why there was no warning before the weather system arrived, MetService meteorologist Alec Holden briefly paused before saying to the ��һ�ǿ�����: 

“That is a very good question”.“In this case thunderstorms are historically and notoriously difficult to forecast. In this case the worst of it came from the fact that none of those individual thunderstorm cells were particularly notable, but it was the unfortunate incident of them coming one after another after another … to result in such high rainfall amounts.” 

A Civil Defence centre has been opened in Mt Albert at the Fickling Convention Centre for those who need to leave their home and seek shelter due to flooding. 

STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVE BLOG 

STORY CONTINUES 

A North Shore resident said it was the most severe storm she ever experienced on the Shore by far. 

“House shaking, no power, crying and scared 5-year-old and no warning at all.” 

Another person said: “Insanely loud sound of the thunder and lightening over Bayview.” 

Many Aucklanders are now asking about the apparent lack of warning and comparing the situation to the devastating Anniversary Weekends floods. 

Holden, MetService’s meteorologist, said an “arm of rain” that stretched out from the centre of Cyclone Tam was responsible for the intense downpours and thunderstorms. 

A Home surrounded by floodwaters at the intersection of Potter Ave and Parkinson Avenue, Mt Roskill. 19 April 2025. New Zealand Herald photograph by Hayden Woodward 

Areas between Mt Roskill and Albany appeared to have been worst hit with some areas recording between 55mm to 110mm overnight rainfall. 

A man climbed out of his car window after becoming trapped by floodwaters on Onehunga Harbour Rd early this morning. Photo / Hayden Woodward 

A Herald photographer said the worst affected areas appeared to be around the Mt Roskill and Sandringham areas, including Stoddard and O’Donnell Avenues, and Sandringham Rd. 

“There was no warning at all. Residents are absolutely p***ed.” 

Fire and Emergency NZ said they received more than 170 weather-related calls across Auckland at the peak of the storm. 

A person staying at the Cordis in Auckland’s CBD said the thunder appeared to have set off the fire alarm and hundreds of people were in the the street. 

Storm hangs on this Easter weekend 

After severe rain and wind lashed the North Island, ex-tropical Cyclone Tam continues to hang on this Easter weekend, directing unstable fronts and troughs onto the northern South Island. 

Meteorologists continue to keep an eye on a second weather system looming for New Zealand next week. 

Ex-tropical Cyclone Tam currently lies west of New Zealand and will slowly weaken over the Easter weekend. 

MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala said heavy falls are still on the cards for much of the country despite the weather overall “improving significantly”. 

After severe rain and wind lashed New Zealand, Cyclone Tam continues to hang on this Easter weekend, directing unstable fronts and troughs onto the northern South Island. Photo / Windy.com 

Tasman, Nelson and northern Marlborough should expect some heavy falls today, Magwala said. 

Auckland will likely receive scattered rain that could turn heavy, with possible thunderstorms before midday also likely. 

“Associated fronts move southwards over the country through into Saturday, bringing heavy rain to parts of the North Island and upper South Island. 

“Large waves affecting eastern coastlines of the upper North Island are expected to gradually ease,” said MetService. 

Paeroa Towing Services rescues stranded cars from flooding overnight. Photo / Paeroa Towing Services 

The system has also brought a wave of hot and humid air with potential for “record-breaking April temperatures” across the country. 

Magwala told the Herald Wellington is in for an abnormal high of 25C today. 

MetService said daytime highs today and Sunday may even reach the mid to high 20s elsewhere in the eastern and lower North Island. 

Niwa meteorologist Seth Carrier told the Herald Tam’s remnants would slowly move away from New Zealand, and it might take until Tuesday or Wednesday for all the associated rainfall to end. 

Debris, strong winds and changeable weather on Auckland's North Shore at Cheltenham beach. Photo / Alex Burton 

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange 

A number of regions still remain under heavy rain warnings today, where the risk of streams and rivers rising also remains. 

MetService says regions under these warnings could experience surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions today. 

• Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tokomaru Bay, also Bay of Plenty northeast of Ōmaio – until 6am Saturday, April 19 
• Mt Taranaki/Taranaki Mounga – until noon Sunday, April 20 
• Tasman northwest of Motueka – until midnight Saturday, April 19 

How likely is another storm next week? 

The new weather system appeared to be tracking towards New Zealand from the northeast on Monday and Tuesday. 

Magwala said that at this early stage, there is a “low potential” for another tropical cyclone to develop. 

It is still too early to determine if it would amount to anything significant, Magwala said.