The city of Auckland was emptying out at midday on Thursday, April 13, as commuters fled home or toward their Easter holiday ahead of the fury of Tropical Cyclone Cook.

Authorities had earlier discussed an unprecedented closure of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, but that was “less likely” after the Met weather service downgraded wind warnings, New Zealand Transport Authority tweeted. “Some restrictions may yet apply,” it added.

Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management advised people on Thursday to “consider knocking off before noon today to avoid the effects of a wet and windy afternoon” and it seemed many commuters were getting the message. This vision shows traffic queuing at Fanshawe Street, not far from an on-ramp to the Northern Motorway leading to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.