Auckland Anniversary weekend weather: Flooding closes Auckland motorways, cars seen floating down roads

Heavy rain has caused extreme flooding on Auckland roads and major highways, closing State Highway 1 and has left vehicles floating down roads.

Photos and video show a car trapped in rising floodwaters on Auckland’s Northern Motorway last night. People were seen attempting to extract the car near the Northcote on-ramp on Auckland’s North Shore.

A witness told NZME that an ambulance was racing to an emergency the wrong way down the motorway to get through.

A car has been trapped in flooding on Auckland's northern motorway as rising water brings traffic going in both directions to a standstill. Photo / Supplied

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport agency told commuters to expect delays or consider an alternative route due to the severe flooding.

At 7.30pm Waka Kotahi tweeted that SH1 was closed northbound from Upper Harbour Highway to Oteha Valley Rd and southbound from Greville Rd to Upper Harbour Highway on the North Shore.

FINAL UPDATE 7:30PM#SH1 is CLOSED northbound from Upper Harbour Hwy to Oteha Valley Rd and southbound from Greville Rd to Upper Harbour Hwy. There will be no more updates on this post tonight. Check our website for further updates: https://t.co/mOGPIRu8D2 ^CO https://t.co/sL42nvzmG7

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 27, 2023

At 7.50pm the agency said that SH 1 would be closed from Market Rd off-ramp northbound due to the extreme weather conditions and asked motorists to delay their journey.

The Onehunga on-ramp northbound was also closed due to flooding.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY 7:50PM
Due to severe flooding, #SH1 will be CLOSED from Market Rd off-ramp northbound. Please delay your journey. There will be no more updates on this post tonight. Check our website for further updates: https://t.co/mOGPIRu8D2 ^CO pic.twitter.com/9hJYJyD9QZ

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 27, 2023

SH1 NORTHERN MWY - 5:55PM
Flooding on #SH1 is blocking lanes in both directions between Northcote Rd and Esmonde Rd. Expect delays or consider an alternative route. ^CO. pic.twitter.com/Zfx1zxHV2E

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 27, 2023

SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY - 11:10PM
Due to flooding the Onehunga on-ramp northbound is now closed, expect delays - AA pic.twitter.com/rVia3GXULl

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 27, 2023

Earlier, commuters on a bus caught in the traffic chaos were seen exiting and running as water levels rose.

A video showed commuters standing in a bus as water surged through doors and the driver powered through flooding to clear roads.

Commuters exit a bus caught in traffic chaos on Auckland's Northern motorway. Photo / Supplied

A witness said public transport passengers who had been standing on the floor were forced to climb onto seats and luggage spots as water began to fill the bus.

Auckland bus way swamped pic.twitter.com/9XIcsm2Lrz

— Adam (@CrazyIdeasNZ) January 27, 2023

Cars were also been spotted near the Onehunga Basin, almost fully submerged, as commuters ditch their vehicles and rush for cover.

One motorist pleaded for emergency services to rescue him and 18 other vehicles trapped between two slips on State Highway 1.

Andrew, who declined to give his surname, said “there was no sign” of emergency services as night approached.

“If anyone’s listening can you send some heavy machinery to give us a hand out of here please?”

He said the roadside bank collapsed, just missing a car, with “upwards of 50 people” trapped 3km north of the Puhoi Tunnel.

Flooding has brought traffic to a standstill on the Southwestern motorway as brave commuters try to push their way through. Photo / Dean Purcell

Meanwhile, the northbound diversion at State Highway 1 and State Highway 12 near Brynderwyn, Northland is closed due to flooding.

Vehicles travelling north are now being diverted at Kaiwaka at the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai turn off.

At least four slips blocking SH1 southbound at Pohuehue, north of Auckland. Photo / Jed Bradley

This is the diversion route for both northbound and southbound traffic.

“This diversion route is not suitable for heavy motor vehicles, who are advised to expect lengthy delays,” Police said.

Police are urging motorists to be careful and drive to conditions as wild weather continues to pummel Auckland.

“This means being patient, delaying non-essential travel, increasing following distance and being aware of fellow drivers.

“Those travelling out of Auckland for the long weekend may experience long traffic delays and potential diversions due to road closures. Keep level-headed, allow for extra time, and most of all, stay safe. Police thank motorists for their patience,” police said in a statement.

Police also said that, due to hazardous conditions, diversions have been put in place on State Highway 1, Brynderwyn.

“At this stage heavy vehicles heading south can travel over the Brynderwyns. Other vehicles travelling south are being diverted at the intersection of State Highway 1 and The Braigh, Waipu.”

Heavy vehicles and vehicles travelling north are being diverted to State Highway 12.

These diversions may change, police said.

Signs at Auckland’s Britomart train station are also advising passengers that due to severe weather, services on the Southern and Eastern Lines are delayed, and some services may be cancelled.

A witness told the Herald, “nothing has moved in or out of Britomart for the last 15 minutes.”