Torrential rain of up to 90 mm in 1 hour fell in northern New Zealand, causing dozens of families to evacuate their homes.

Fifty to sixty homes were evacuated in West Auckland after flooding struck during the night 30 to 31 August 2021.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said people largely self evacuated and were staying with friends and family. Evacuation centres were also set up. Auckland Emergency Management said any need to evacuate overrides the COVID-19 lockdown rules.
As much as 90 mm of rain fell in 1 hour. However, Mayor Goff said the flooding was largely unexpected. “We knew it was going to rain… but there was no early indication that this was likely to cause the level of flooding it has.”
As of 31 August, flooding had affected communities in Kumeu, Huapai, Ranui, Piha and Henderson Valley. Around 12 roads were closed in the area as a result of flooding and landslides. Around 13 people were rescued from flood waters by emergency services who received 150 calls for help. The mayor said fire, police and emergency management services were all coping well and there was no need to declare a state of emergency.
A total of 208.2 mm of rain fell in Kumeū in 24 hours to 31 August, which is the town’s second wettest day since records began in 1943 and 149% of the August monthly normal rainfall.
Social Media
Kumeū in West Auckland has experienced its 2nd wettest day on record…
💧 208.2 mm fell from 9am Mon-9am Tue
💧 201 mm of that fell in 14 hours from Mon night-Tue morning
💧 149% of the August monthly normal rainfall fell in a single day
💧 Records date back to 1943 pic.twitter.com/DY2rlNOmQb
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 30, 2021
Shock storms and flooding in Auckland has blindsided emergency management, with about 50 evacuations.
There’s been incidents right across Auckland and the North Shore, with the bulk being in West Auckland.
Emergency Management says any need to evacuate overides the lockdown. pic.twitter.com/1huVaoeaMV
— Morning Report (@NZMorningReport) August 30, 2021
The Main Street of Kumeū this morning https://t.co/UfpZavcry7 pic.twitter.com/TffKC8LLQp
— Caitlin Boyd (@c_itlinalice) August 31, 2021