Wellington, New Zealand, is grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding, which has led to the declaration of a rare state of emergency. The city experienced unprecedented rainfall, with over 70mm falling in just one hour, a record for the region according to Metservice. This deluge transformed streets into rivers, overturned vehicles, and caused significant infrastructure damage. The body of a man, Philip Sutton, who was swept away by floodwaters in the suburb of Karori, was recovered, underscoring the human toll of the disaster. Although rain and wind warnings have been lifted, the state of emergency remains in effect due to ongoing hazards such as landslides and unstable structures.