Fire and Emergency is working through the backlog of less urgent 111 calls from last night, contacting callers to see whether they still need assistance this morning.

Rescue calls were prioritised overnight, with firefighters attending first to people who were trapped in their homes or vehicles by floodwater, slips, and fallen trees. We estimate over 2000 calls were received,

This morning the communications centre team has been contacting the other callers and reprioritising those who still need help, while new 111 calls are still being received.

They should also avoid driving through floodwater because of the risk that they will become trapped and need to be rescued.

Counties Manukau District Manager Brad Mosby says that firefighters worked tirelessly through the night. Dayshift career firefighters are coming on duty this morning to pick up the work from the crews who worked through the night and our volunteer brigades will also be rotating their firefighters.

An Urban Search and Rescue team has been activated at the request of Emergency Management Auckland and will be undertaking rapid damage assessments of buildings that may have suffered structural damage.

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