Search Efforts Cease for Man Swept Away in North Auckland Floods

Police have called off the search today for the missing man who was swept away in his vehicle by floodwaters near Warkworth this morning. The man was still missing, and the situation would be reassessed tomorrow in terms of further searching, police said in a statement issued at about 4.53pm. Earlier, 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 was earlier deployed, with officers assisting Fire and Emergency NZ crews, Fowlie said. Follow 1News' live updates. "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." In an update around 1.45pm, Fowlie said the man had yet to be found. "Police search and rescue are still deployed and will carry out shore-based searching near the river this afternoon. "Please continue to monitor the latest weather advisories and exercise caution around any waterways with the ongoing weather event." Person missing after car swept away in swollen north Auckland river - see more on TVNZ+ Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said he was "alarmed" to hear about the incident. "Fortunately, a passenger was able to escape to raise the alarm," he said in a statement. "While police, Fire and Emergency and Auckland Emergency Management’s swift water response teams continue the search for the missing man, the incident highlights the importance of staying safe and being prepared." 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. Local resident Dawn Ferguson told 1News when the river was high many people avoided crossing it. She said one person drowned trying to cross in high waters about 10 years ago.