State of Emergency Declared as Severe Storms Hit New Zealand

New Zealand has declared states of emergency across several regions, including Christchurch and Wellington, as a violent storm brought record-breaking winds and heavy rainfall, causing widespread flooding and evacuations. The national weather authority, MetService, issued a red warning for winds in Wellington—the first such alert of the year—with gusts reaching at least 150 km/h and widespread damage anticipated. In Canterbury, rainfall between 100 and 180 mm from Wednesday to Thursday more than doubled the region’s typical monthly total, prompting evacuations and the closure of major roads. All flights at Wellington Airport were canceled due to hazardous conditions, while airlines including Air New Zealand, Jetstar, and Qantas suspended operations nationwide. Authorities have warned of falling trees, airborne debris, power outages, and significant disruption to transportation and communication, though no human casualties have been reported. The weather is now beginning to ease, with some airport operations cautiously resuming.