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A car trapped in flooding on Auckland's northern motorway as rising water brought traffic going in both directions to a standstill. Photo: supplied

KEY POINTS

* A state of emergency has been declared in Auckland following a severe storm and biblical rain that has caused widespread flooding and damage

* No flights will arrive or depart Auckland Airport until noon on Saturday at the earliest

* More than 2000 calls for assistance have been made around the city

* MetService has issued a red heavy rain warning for the region after a record 24 hours of rainfall - 249mm, smashing the previous 24-hour record of 161.8mm

* Auckland Emergency Management is asking people to stay home if possible

* Mayor Wayne Brown said that people should follow emergency directions: "We need the rain to stop, that's the main issue"

* Sir Elton John's Friday night concert at Mt Smart, expected to draw 40,000 people, was cancelled

At least one person has died and a state of emergency has been declared in Auckland as residents had to be rescued from their homes and cars while floodwaters rose throughout the city during an “unprecedented” deluge of rain on the city.