State of Emergency Declared: Queenstown, NZ Ravaged by Floods and Landslides

Authorities are still working to assess the extent of the situation as the north and south islands are battered by severe weather and landslides.

New Zealand declares state of emergency after intense flooding and landslides. STR/AFP via Getty Images

New Zealand’s Queenstown has been placed under a state of emergency after severe weather conditions in the popular resort destination caused flooding and landslides.

The incident comes as New Zealand’s severe weather impacts the lower North Island and most of the South Island—where Queenstown is located—including a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Geraldine two days ago.