Storm surge with eleven-meter-high waves: Hundreds of people brought to safety in Wellington

Evacuation and police operation

Emergency services brought residents from the endangered suburbs to safety by bus and other vehicles. According to authorities, hundreds of people were forced to leave their homes and apartments. On social media, residents posted images of flooded streets and toppled objects.

At Wellington Airport, where wind gusts of up to 128 km/h were measured, flights were canceled. A parked small aircraft with no people on board was blown over, as the airport operator confirmed. Several domestic and international flights were canceled, as operations were largely suspended.

Impact on air travel

In Island Bay, the wind was so strong on Tuesday that two women were knocked over on a flooded street. Rescue workers recovered the injured, who were subsequently given medical treatment. Authorities urged residents not to leave their homes and apartments while the storm surge continued.

The city administration set up emergency shelters in schools and community centers in the higher-elevation neighborhoods. Disaster relief workers and volunteers cared for the evacuees and distributed water, blankets, and food. Public transport in the affected neighborhoods was also suspended.

Comparison with the 2021 storm

During a storm in 2021 with 6.5-meter-high waves, many homes in Breaker Bay had been flooded, according to authorities. Given the significantly higher waves and stronger wind gusts this time, emergency services classified the situation as more serious than the previous event.

New Zealand's weather service warned that the storm surge could last for several hours and that the waves could continue to increase in height. High waves and stormy winds were also measured in other regions of the North and South Islands. Authorities recommended staying away from coastlines, river mouths, and cliffs.

Further developments and warnings

Police announced that the roadblocks around the evacuated suburbs would be maintained until the weather service gave the all-clear. Mayor Little thanked the emergency services and the residents who followed the evacuation order. "Die Sicherheit der Menschen hat oberste Priorität", Little was quoted as saying.

According to the airport operator, flight operations in Wellington were to be gradually resumed once wind speeds dropped. Passengers were asked to check with their airlines for the current status of their connections.

The city administration announced that it would document the damage in the affected suburbs after the storm subsided and assist affected residents in repairing their homes. Insurance companies also set up initial hotlines for those affected.

(APA, 6/9/2026)