SYDNEY—A state of emergency was declared in New Zealand’s biggest city Auckland on Friday as torrential rains caused widespread flooding and evacuations, closing the city’s airports and forcing organizers to cancel a scheduled concert by Elton John.
Auckland’s Mayor Wayne Brown declared a state of emergency due to the extent of the “damage, displacement, and disruption” caused by the weather and the need for response agencies to draw on more powers.
Auckland Emergency Management said in a post on Twitter that northern, northwestern, and western parts of the city were affected by significant flooding, with conditions expected to worsen….