STORM ALERT: Precautionary State of Emergency Declared in Whangārei as New Deluge Approaches
By Lions Roar News Weather Desk
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – 5:43 PM) — Authorities have declared a precautionary State of Emergency for the Whangārei District as the upper North Island prepares for a second brutal wave of tropical weather. With the ground already saturated from weekend flooding, MetService has expanded its warning zones to include Auckland and the Waikato.
🚨 Emergency Measures in the North
The decision to declare a State of Emergency in Whangārei comes as a “precautionary measure” to allow emergency services to move faster as a fresh tropical low looms.
- Northland’s East Coast: Already reeling from the 285mm of rain that fell in Punaruku over the weekend, the coast is bracing for another “significant blast” of moisture.
- Coromandel Peninsula: Remains under a high-stakes Orange Rain Warning.
- Auckland & Waikato: New Strong Wind Watches have been issued for both regions, alongside a Heavy Rain Watch for the Waikato.
🌦️ MetService: The New Threat Profile
Meteorologists are concerned that the upcoming system will bring high-intensity rainfall to areas that have zero capacity to absorb more water.
| Region | Warning Level | Threat Type |
| Whangārei | State of Emergency | Flooding, Slips, Infrastructure failure |
| Coromandel | Orange Warning | Persistent heavy rain & flash flooding |
| Auckland | Strong Wind Watch | Fallen trees, Power outages, Ferry cancellations |
| Waikato | Rain & Wind Watch | Rapidly rising river levels |
🛑 Public Safety Advice
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local councils are advising residents in the “line of fire” to take immediate action:
- Secure Property: Tie down outdoor furniture as winds pick up this evening.
- Stay Informed: Follow the live updates from RNZ and Civil Defence.
- Avoid Travel: Do not attempt to drive through any Northland or Coromandel backroads, which are highly susceptible to fresh slips.
