Man, vehicle swept away in north Auckland as passenger escapes

A man and his vehicle are missing after being reportedly swept away by floodwaters near Warkworth this morning.

Senior Sergeant Carl Fowlie said police received reports of a man being washed away at a river crossing on Falls Rd at 7.41am on Wednesday.

"Police have since been on scene and established further information, after a passenger was able to exit the vehicle and raise the alarm."

A police search and rescue team has deployed, with officers assisting Fire and Emergency NZ crews, Fowlie said.

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"Police strongly advise members of the public to avoid the area, and people should pay close attention to weather warnings in place. Please take additional care around waterways with further rain forecasted."

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'Threat to life': Red heavy rain warnings for North Island regions

Heavy rain was expected to intensify from later this morning into the afternoon and evening.

New Zealand

9:29am

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Auckland and Great Barrier Island are currently under an orange-level heavy rain warning.

Four red-level heavy rain warnings have been issued for areas of the North Island: Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, the Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, and Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards.