NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue

XML

ExtremeJanuary 1994 South Island Ex-tropical Cyclone Rewa ( 1994-01-19 )

10-150+ years

High rainfall and flooding occurred in parts of the West Coast, Otago and Southland. The West Coast had record rainfalls.

South Island

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at South Island
Duration:   6  days - From the 19th to the 24th of January.
Comments:

CauseThe remnants of Tropical Cyclone Rewa. A front moved only very slowly over Fiordland, blocked by a high to the east of the country. A southerly spread up the east coast later in the event, bringing widespread rain to eastern areas.

Affected LifelineIn Westland, Fiordland and the Southern Lakes, slips and flooding occurred on the 21st, and roads and bridges were washed out.

West Coast

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Collier Creek
Map Location: -42.990751 171.003384
Comments:

CommentColliers Creek attained the new official record for 12- and 24-hour rainfalls.

Peak RainfallColliers Creek recorded 682 mm (68.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 21st/22nd. This was a new New Zealand rainfall record for a 24-hour fall. The Return Period is well over 150 years (HIRDS1 gives about 100 years).

Physical CharacteristicColliers Creek recorded 473 mm (47.3 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 22nd. This was a record rainfall for 12 hours. The Return Period is well over 150 years (HIRDS1 gives about 100 years).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Franz Josef
Map Location: -43.390817 170.183962
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicFranz Josef Glacier township recorded 601 mm (60.1 cm) of rain from the 19th to the 24th.

Otago

FloodingFlooding at Alexandra
Map Location: -45.253862 169.375391
Comments:

ImpactAlexandra was inundated.

FloodingFlooding at Lake Waitaki
Map Location: -44.673688 170.397442
Comments:

CommentAt the Waitaki headwater lakes, inflows were larger than in 1995. The flooding could have been worse than it was if the lake levels had not been so low.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Makarora
Map Location: -44.23631 169.233253
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMakarora recorded 257 mm (25.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours (Return Period 10 years).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Routeburn station
Map Location: -44.746092 168.306603
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicRouteburn Station recorded 255 mm (25.5 cm) of rain in 48 hours (Return Period 10 years).

Southland

FloodingFlooding at Cattle Flat
Map Location: -45.665941 168.621076
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Cattle Flat reached a level of 3.64 m during January (normal 0.85 m).

FloodingFlooding at Centre Bush
Map Location: -46.051825 168.321715
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Centre Bush reached a level of 2.73 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Clifden
Map Location: -46.036931 167.714612
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waiau River at Clifden reached a level of 2.39 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Dunrobin Station
Map Location: -45.739818 168.11863
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Dunrobin reached a level of 2.16 m in January (normal 0.80 m).

FloodingFlooding at Etalvale Station
Map Location: -45.827897 168.112418
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Etalvale reached a level of 2.29 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Fairlight
Map Location: -45.415876 168.657258
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Fairlight reached a level of 3.21 m during January (normal 0.90 m).

FloodingFlooding at Freshford
Map Location: -45.771893 168.795847
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaia River at Freshford reached a level of 4.29 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Gore
Map Location: -46.095878 168.927462
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Gore reached a level of 3.70 m during January (normal 0.80 m).

FloodingFlooding at Hamilton Burn
Map Location: -45.718037 168.180318
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHamilton Burn at Waterloo Road reached a level of 2.90 m in January (normal 1.20 m).

FloodingFlooding at Invercargill
Map Location: -46.436318 168.35975
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waihopai River at Dam H/W reached a level of 4.75 m in January (normal 3.50 m).

Physical CharacteristicKingswell Creek at Dam H/W reached a level of 10.19 m in January (normal 8.60 m).

FloodingFlooding at Irthing Stream
Map Location: -45.64223 168.425025
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicIrthing Stream at Ellis Road reached a level of 3.48 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Kennington
Map Location: -46.394023 168.454367
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waihopai River at Kennington reached a level of 2.31 m in January (normal 2.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Lumsden
Map Location: -45.740784 168.456441
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Lumsden C/W reached a level of 3.95 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Makarewa Junction
Map Location: -46.3033 168.334191
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Makarewa River at Counsell Road reached a level of 3.70 m in January (normal 1.40 m).

FloodingFlooding at Mandeville
Map Location: -45.991257 168.79529
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWaimea Stream at Mandeville reached a level of 2.19 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Milford Sound
Map Location: -44.673307 167.929617
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMilford Sound recorded 538 mm (53.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Oreti River
Map Location: -45.471707 168.120177
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Three Kings reached a level of 1.87 m in January (normal 0.50 m).

FloodingFlooding at Otapiri Stream
Map Location: -46.030222 168.448983
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOtapiri Stream at McBrides reached a level of 1.66 m in January (normal 0.70 m).

FloodingFlooding at Otautau
Map Location: -46.143853 168.005563
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOtautau Stream at Otautau Town reached a level of 2.02 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Parawa
Map Location: -45.541315 168.530494
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Parawa reached a level of 5.07 m during January (normal 1.20 m).

FloodingFlooding at Piano Flat
Map Location: -45.570252 169.007417
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaia River at Piano Flat reached a level of 4.10 m in January (normal 0.80 m).

FloodingFlooding at Pyramid Hill
Map Location: -45.91103 168.814
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Pyramid reached a level of 3.76 m during January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Seaward Downs
Map Location: -46.380427 168.756824
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Seaward Downs reached a level of 4.54 m during January (normal 1.50 m).

FloodingFlooding at Sunnyside homestead
Map Location: -45.818471 167.629703
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waiau River at Sunnyside reached a level of 4.25 m in January (normal 2.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Thornbury
Map Location: -46.286203 168.089901
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Thornbury reached a level of 2.00 m in January (normal 0.90 m).

FloodingFlooding at Tussock Creek
Map Location: -46.249745 168.428206
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Makarewa River at Tussock Creek reached a level of 3.09 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Tuturau
Map Location: -46.250375 168.84959
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Tuturau reached a level of 5.74 m during January (normal 2.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Waikaia
Map Location: -45.721975 168.84901
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaia River at Waikaia Town reached a level of 3.66 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Waikiwi Stream
Map Location: -46.391237 168.290501
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWaikiwi Stream at Ferry Road reached a level of 1.70 m in January (normally tidal).

FloodingFlooding at Wallacetown
Map Location: -46.335093 168.272385
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Wallacetown reached a level of 3.56 m in January (normal 1.40 m).

FloodingFlooding at Willowbank
Map Location: -46.031954 169.021234
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaka River at Willowbank reached a level of 2.80 m in January (normal 0.75 m).

FloodingFlooding at Wyndham
Map Location: -46.325789 168.855161
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Wyndham reached a level of 3.41 m during January (normal 1.00 m).

Physical CharacteristicWyndham Stream at McKays reached a level of 2.82 m in January (normal 1.70 m).

FloodingFlooding at Yellow Bluff
Map Location: -46.125223 168.002012
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Yellow Bluff reached a level of 2.15 m in January (normal 0.80 m).

References

Environment Southland. Flood report July 2003.
Goodsell, B.; Anderson, B.; Lawson, W.; Owens, I. (2005). Outburst flooding at Franz Josef Glacier, south Westland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 48: 95–104.
Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall to 31st May 2006.
New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
Smart, G.; McKerchar, A.; Eden, A. Te Anau flood assessment.

ExtremeJanuary 1994 South Island Ex-tropical Cyclone Rewa ( 1994-01-19 )

10-150+ years

High rainfall and flooding occurred in parts of the West Coast, Otago and Southland. The West Coast had record rainfalls.

South Island

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at South Island
Duration:   6  days - From the 19th to the 24th of January.
Comments:

CauseThe remnants of Tropical Cyclone Rewa. A front moved only very slowly over Fiordland, blocked by a high to the east of the country. A southerly spread up the east coast later in the event, bringing widespread rain to eastern areas.

Affected LifelineIn Westland, Fiordland and the Southern Lakes, slips and flooding occurred on the 21st, and roads and bridges were washed out.

West Coast

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Collier Creek
Map Location: -42.990751 171.003384
Comments:

CommentColliers Creek attained the new official record for 12- and 24-hour rainfalls.

Peak RainfallColliers Creek recorded 682 mm (68.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 21st/22nd. This was a new New Zealand rainfall record for a 24-hour fall. The Return Period is well over 150 years (HIRDS1 gives about 100 years).

Physical CharacteristicColliers Creek recorded 473 mm (47.3 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 22nd. This was a record rainfall for 12 hours. The Return Period is well over 150 years (HIRDS1 gives about 100 years).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Franz Josef
Map Location: -43.390817 170.183962
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicFranz Josef Glacier township recorded 601 mm (60.1 cm) of rain from the 19th to the 24th.

Otago

FloodingFlooding at Alexandra
Map Location: -45.253862 169.375391
Comments:

ImpactAlexandra was inundated.

FloodingFlooding at Lake Waitaki
Map Location: -44.673688 170.397442
Comments:

CommentAt the Waitaki headwater lakes, inflows were larger than in 1995. The flooding could have been worse than it was if the lake levels had not been so low.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Makarora
Map Location: -44.23631 169.233253
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMakarora recorded 257 mm (25.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours (Return Period 10 years).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Routeburn station
Map Location: -44.746092 168.306603
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicRouteburn Station recorded 255 mm (25.5 cm) of rain in 48 hours (Return Period 10 years).

Southland

FloodingFlooding at Cattle Flat
Map Location: -45.665941 168.621076
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Cattle Flat reached a level of 3.64 m during January (normal 0.85 m).

FloodingFlooding at Centre Bush
Map Location: -46.051825 168.321715
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Centre Bush reached a level of 2.73 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Clifden
Map Location: -46.036931 167.714612
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waiau River at Clifden reached a level of 2.39 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Dunrobin Station
Map Location: -45.739818 168.11863
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Dunrobin reached a level of 2.16 m in January (normal 0.80 m).

FloodingFlooding at Etalvale Station
Map Location: -45.827897 168.112418
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Etalvale reached a level of 2.29 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Fairlight
Map Location: -45.415876 168.657258
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Fairlight reached a level of 3.21 m during January (normal 0.90 m).

FloodingFlooding at Freshford
Map Location: -45.771893 168.795847
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaia River at Freshford reached a level of 4.29 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Gore
Map Location: -46.095878 168.927462
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Gore reached a level of 3.70 m during January (normal 0.80 m).

FloodingFlooding at Hamilton Burn
Map Location: -45.718037 168.180318
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHamilton Burn at Waterloo Road reached a level of 2.90 m in January (normal 1.20 m).

FloodingFlooding at Invercargill
Map Location: -46.436318 168.35975
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waihopai River at Dam H/W reached a level of 4.75 m in January (normal 3.50 m).

Physical CharacteristicKingswell Creek at Dam H/W reached a level of 10.19 m in January (normal 8.60 m).

FloodingFlooding at Irthing Stream
Map Location: -45.64223 168.425025
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicIrthing Stream at Ellis Road reached a level of 3.48 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Kennington
Map Location: -46.394023 168.454367
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waihopai River at Kennington reached a level of 2.31 m in January (normal 2.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Lumsden
Map Location: -45.740784 168.456441
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Lumsden C/W reached a level of 3.95 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Makarewa Junction
Map Location: -46.3033 168.334191
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Makarewa River at Counsell Road reached a level of 3.70 m in January (normal 1.40 m).

FloodingFlooding at Mandeville
Map Location: -45.991257 168.79529
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWaimea Stream at Mandeville reached a level of 2.19 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Milford Sound
Map Location: -44.673307 167.929617
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMilford Sound recorded 538 mm (53.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Oreti River
Map Location: -45.471707 168.120177
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Three Kings reached a level of 1.87 m in January (normal 0.50 m).

FloodingFlooding at Otapiri Stream
Map Location: -46.030222 168.448983
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOtapiri Stream at McBrides reached a level of 1.66 m in January (normal 0.70 m).

FloodingFlooding at Otautau
Map Location: -46.143853 168.005563
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOtautau Stream at Otautau Town reached a level of 2.02 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Parawa
Map Location: -45.541315 168.530494
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Parawa reached a level of 5.07 m during January (normal 1.20 m).

FloodingFlooding at Piano Flat
Map Location: -45.570252 169.007417
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaia River at Piano Flat reached a level of 4.10 m in January (normal 0.80 m).

FloodingFlooding at Pyramid Hill
Map Location: -45.91103 168.814
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Pyramid reached a level of 3.76 m during January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Seaward Downs
Map Location: -46.380427 168.756824
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Seaward Downs reached a level of 4.54 m during January (normal 1.50 m).

FloodingFlooding at Sunnyside homestead
Map Location: -45.818471 167.629703
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waiau River at Sunnyside reached a level of 4.25 m in January (normal 2.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Thornbury
Map Location: -46.286203 168.089901
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Thornbury reached a level of 2.00 m in January (normal 0.90 m).

FloodingFlooding at Tussock Creek
Map Location: -46.249745 168.428206
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Makarewa River at Tussock Creek reached a level of 3.09 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Tuturau
Map Location: -46.250375 168.84959
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Tuturau reached a level of 5.74 m during January (normal 2.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Waikaia
Map Location: -45.721975 168.84901
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaia River at Waikaia Town reached a level of 3.66 m in January (normal 1.00 m).

FloodingFlooding at Waikiwi Stream
Map Location: -46.391237 168.290501
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWaikiwi Stream at Ferry Road reached a level of 1.70 m in January (normally tidal).

FloodingFlooding at Wallacetown
Map Location: -46.335093 168.272385
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Oreti River at Wallacetown reached a level of 3.56 m in January (normal 1.40 m).

FloodingFlooding at Willowbank
Map Location: -46.031954 169.021234
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Waikaka River at Willowbank reached a level of 2.80 m in January (normal 0.75 m).

FloodingFlooding at Wyndham
Map Location: -46.325789 168.855161
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Mataura River at Wyndham reached a level of 3.41 m during January (normal 1.00 m).

Physical CharacteristicWyndham Stream at McKays reached a level of 2.82 m in January (normal 1.70 m).

FloodingFlooding at Yellow Bluff
Map Location: -46.125223 168.002012
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe Aparima River at Yellow Bluff reached a level of 2.15 m in January (normal 0.80 m).

References

Environment Southland. Flood report July 2003.
Goodsell, B.; Anderson, B.; Lawson, W.; Owens, I. (2005). Outburst flooding at Franz Josef Glacier, south Westland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 48: 95–104.
Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall to 31st May 2006.
New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
Smart, G.; McKerchar, A.; Eden, A. Te Anau flood assessment.