July_1953_Upper_North_Island_Flooding July 1953 Upper North Island Flooding 1953-07-04 15-46 years Moderate Heavy rain brought flooding to Northland, Auckland, the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, causing damage and blocking roads. A large flood in the Waikato River caused widespread flooding. From the 4th to the 7th of July. On the 3rd a depression was centred in the north-east Tasman, and a northerly airstream covered the North Island. On the 4th a second small depression formed and moved southwards, crossing the Auckland peninsula and the Taranaki province. on the 5th. On the 6th rain occurred across the North Island to Auckland city (four periods of rainfall). The second dpression continued to move southwards on the 6th, and passed to the east of the South Island. On the same day the depression which had been stationary over the Tasman Sea commenced to move eastward. A low-level flow over most of the North Island from the northeast was very slow moving. Road damage was widespread from Auckland to Te Awamutu, with several major highways blocked by slips. No NAC flights from Whangarei to Auckland were operating on the 4th. There was high rainfall in Northland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty on the 4th. The rainfall was 50% above normal for Auckland-Hamilton-Arapuni-Morrinsville for the months of April, May and June 1953. As a result of this persistently dull, wet weather, the ground was in an excessively wet condtion by the end of June. The regions affected included the whole of te Auckland and Waikato provinces, and Northland except for the Far North district. The Auckland-Hamilton State Highway was closed on the 7th and reopened on the 21st. The Auckland to Paeroa-Thames highway was covered in flood waters in places. The Auckland-Hamilton State Highway was flooded with water 2 ft (60 cm) deep. The water over the Auckland-Paeroa-Thames highway was about 5 ft (1.5 m) deep in places. Bus services travelling between Hamilton and Auckland were disrupted, and had to be re-routed through Morrinsville, Te Aroha and Paeroa. The main Hamilton-Rotorua highway was completely blocked by slips. The main south highway between Blenheim and Christchurch was cut by a slip on the 7th. Weather on the 3rd: "A depression covers the North Island. An anticyclone cvers the Tasman Sea and southern New Zealand. Forecast to midnight on Saturday: Light to moderate winds, turning southerly overnight. Showers and long fair intervals tomorrow. Moderate temperatures. Outlook for Sunday: Fair." Weather on the 4th: "A depression over the north Tasman extends over the north-west of the country. A high pressure ridge is across southern and eastern New Zealand. Forecast to midnight on Sunday: Light or moderate easterly winds. Variable skies. Local showers during day with occasional heavy areas of fog and drizzle tonight. Temperatures moderate. Outlook for Monday: Occasional showers." Weather on the 6th: "A complex low-pressure trough covers New Zealand. Forecast to midnight on Tuesday: Light or moderate north-west winds. Occasional showers, heavy in places, with the risk of local thunder. Temperatures mild. Outlook for Wednesday: Westerley winds and showers." Serious damage occurred throughout Northland. Damage to state highways in Northland totalled £3,000 ($143,800 2008 dollars). Rivers and streams had high flood levels. There were heavy stock losses in Northland. Stock losses in the Whangarei district were in the thousands of pounds. Property damage was heavy in the Whangarei district. Streams rose so rapidly that some farmers did not have enough warning to get their stock moved to higher ground, particularly in the Otonga and Opuawhanga areas. Washouts were widespread on the coast roads in the Whangarei district. There were numerous slips on the Whangarei-Russell road on the 5th. -35.56867 174.23537 The flood waters rose swiftly in the area around the Hikurangi Swamp. There were severe stock losses in the Hikurangi swamp area. -35.51942 174.190367 Water was across the Hukerenui road by midnight on the 4th, although it was still passable. -35.641646 174.426634 A slip ocurred on the Whangarei-Ngunguru road at Kiripaka. A bus was held up on the Ngunguru side on the morning of the 6th. Another slips blocked the Kiripaka road at the Kiripaka reserve on the 7th. The slip covered the road and pushed it up about 20 in (50 cm), leaving it impassable. The Kiripaka flats were inundated by the Kiripaka River and were impassable on the morning of the 5th. The Kiripaka River rose 8 ft (2.4 m). A Kiripaka farmer lost two fat Hereford bullocks worth about £40 ($1900 2008 dollars) each. Another farmer was reported to have lost his fowls and 17 sheep. -35.568632 174.361129 There was a small slip on the road at Marua. -35.564979 174.493979 There was a small slip on the road at Matapouri. -35.844153 174.205054 Maungakaramea recorded 2.62 in (6.7 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 5th. -35.631206 174.495416 There was a small slip on the road at Ngunguru. -35.514467 174.333588 Stock losses were heavy in the Opuawhanga area. -35.561473 174.288186 There were heavy losses of sheep, cattle and pigs at Otonga. One farmer lost about 300 in-lamb ewes, worth between £4/10 and £5 ($197-$240 2008 dollars) each. A neighbouring farm lost 50-60 in-lamb ewes. There was shallow water across the main north road at Otonga. -35.768282 174.458587 The Whangarei-Whangarei Heads road was blocked by a slip on Darkies Hill on the night of the 4th. -35.566172 174.161973 Water was across the Riponui road by midnight on the 4th. There was severe flooding on farms adjoining the Whangarei-Riponui road. The water was still rising at a rate of 3 in an hour (7.6 cm/hour) on the night of the 5th. -35.66112 174.17358 Ruatangata recorded 3.63 in (9.2 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 5th. -35.727394 174.543381 A bridge was washed away on the coast road at Taiharuru. -35.36293 174.083045 There was water over the Kawakawa-Paihia highway at Taumarere for a time early on the morning of the 5th. -35.745955 174.084431 The Wairua Falls power station recorded 1.99 in (5.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. The flood waters came within 6 in (15 cm) of the power station floor. -35.541332 174.277325 Water was across the Whangarei-Russell road at Whimp's flat on the night of the 4th. -35.719519 174.298397 A steady drizzle on the afternoon of the 4th turned into a steady downpour at about 3:45pm, which became torrential during that night. There were occasional showers on the 5th. Whangarei recorded 4.08 in (10.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 5th. All roads from Whangarei, except the main south road, were blocked by flood waters and slips in the early hours of the 5th. Most were passable again by midday. The barometer read 29.91 at 8am on the 4th. The barometer read 29.85 at 8am on the 5th. The barometer read 29.90 at 8am on the 6th. The Hatea River rose rapidly in the early hours of the 5th and broke its banks in a few places along the Paranui Valley. Flood waters were across the Whareora road in at least two places within a mile of Whangarei. A nursery along the river was inundated by the river and many plants were detroyed. -35.347801 174.327567 A large slip came down on the road at Whangaruru. Low-lying parts of the city were inundated, and water entered many houses. Low-lying farmlands throughout most of the province were inundated. Flooding in some of the city areas waas the worst residents had experienced for over 40 years. Mount Roskill, Otahuhu, Takapuna and Mount Wellington were the worst affected. At Surrey Flats, one farmer lost 500 sheep. At Surrey Flats, one farmer lost 1000 bales of hay. All Auckland metropolitan golf courses except for one were closed. Havoc was caused to secondary roads around the province. Flood waters in some South Auckland areas continued to rise on the morning of the 7th due to flooded tributaries of the Waikato River. Heavy rain set in at Auckland on the afternoon of the 4th and continued until 7am on the 5th. -36.852397 174.762337 Mechanics Bay recorded 3.67 in (9.3 cm) of rain in 16 hours. Auckland recorded 3.95 in (10.03 cm) of rain in 3 days. Auckland recorded 3.96 in (10.06 cm) of rain in 4 days. -36.816899 174.728363 The Birkenhead Quarry was badly flooded. -36.993102 175.038415 Clevedon was the worst hit with stock losses due to being a low-lying plain. The main street of Ellerslie was flooded. A torrent 10 ft (3 m) wide surged down the main Ellerslie highway. -36.371571 174.619756 A slip occurred on the state highway in the Dome Valley. A large volume off traffic was held up until mid afternoon on the 5th. -37.10205 174.946507 A house and poultry buildings at Drury were engulfed by the flood waters of Drury Stream early on the morning of the 5th, forcing the residents to leave. The water in the house reached almost up the the ceiling rafters, and left a high-water mark 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor. More than 700 adult poultry were drowned. -36.405695 174.538051 Flood waters covered Kaipara Flats for miles. A considerable number of dead sheep were seen. -36.849099 174.877207 At Karaka Bay, Glendowie, a new £5,000 ($240,000 2008 dollars) house was completely wrecked by a slip early on the afternoon of the 5th. The slip also twisted part of the frame of another house being built and brought down large pohutukawa trees. -36.917289 174.734807 At Mt Roskill, water seeped through floorboards and gardens were completely submerged. -36.910808 174.826681 Low-lying areas of Mt Wellington were swamped. Three houses were flooded. Onewhero recorded 4.28 in (10.87 cm) of rain in 3 days. Onewhero recorded 4.70 in (11.94 cm) of rain in 4 days from the 3rd til the 6th. -36.945273 174.840503 The water in the Sturges Park area rose to 4 ft (1.2 m). -36.977687 174.842486 Many Papatoetoe gardens were submerged. -36.852322 174.739343 Water entered the Rob Roy hotel in Ponsonby to a depth of 2 in (5 cm). -37.206561 174.898162 Pukekohe recorded 4.4 in (11.2 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9:30am on the 5th. The floods at Pukekohe were the worst since January 1907. -36.876567 174.799415 The Remuera Golf Club's main course had 150 acres (0.61 km^2) flooded. Huge cracks, more than 12 in (30 cm) wide appeared on the left-hand side of Orakei Road. -36.787162 174.755633 Two Takapuna houses were entered by flood waters. Water 4 ft (1.2 m) deep water swamped a carpark. Gardens were ruined and small trees swept away. Wairau Creek was the main source of the flooding. -36.40461 174.668477 Warkworth recorded 6.09 in (15.47 cm) of rain in 3 days. Warkworth recorded 6.15 in (15.62 cm) of rain in 4 days. There were excessively wet ground conditions at the end of June. The rainfall amounts were similar to those for the flood of April 1924, but this flood was much more serious. The whole province suffered major flooding on the 7th. The Waikato River had a major flood - the most serious since June 1907. The Waikato River was in violent flood over 30 miles (48 km) of its course. It burst its banks on the morning of the 7th and spread over tens of thousands of acres from Huntly through to Tuakau. Thousands of acres between Ngaruawahia and Mercer were under water. From Lake Waikare in the east to Lake Whangape in the west only occasional knolls of dry land were visible. Swampy areas from Huntly north to Ohinemuri and Rangiriri were among the worst affected. The main state highway was covered at many points, with one place impassable for several days. Other roads and highways in the area were also closed due to flooding. The Works Department pulled 40 cars from the floods between Mercer and Rangiriri. Thousands of cattle were marooned and starving in flooded areas. About 25,000 hectares of developed and partly-developed farmland along the banks of the Waikato River, mainly below Huntly, was inundated. The period of flooding varied, but 5000 hectares of first-class dairying land was under water for two or three weeks, some areas being affected for longer. River levels were well below those recorded in 1907. Waikato farmlands were flooded up to 4 ft (1.2 m) deep. Farmers in the Franklin district could not remember worse flooding in 40 years. Damage to state highways in the district totalled £8,160 ($391,200 2008 dollars). Damage to country roads and bridges totalled £58,500 ($2,805,000 2008 dollars). -37.291859 174.784866 The Aka aka area was flooded. -38.069486 175.651148 Arapuni recorded 0.77 in (2.0 cm) of rain in one hour. Arapuni recorded 2.95 in (7.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. Arapuni recorded 4.50 in (11.43 cm) of rain in 3 days. Arapuni recorded 4.98 in (12.6 cm) of rain in the four days from the 3rd to the 6th. The Karapiro and Arapuni dams were passing 5000 cusecs (142 cumecs) of water above requirements. -37.886228 175.445175 On some Cambridge farms the water was as high as the fences. The flooding in Cambridge was the worst for 40 years. -37.673001 175.299382 The Orini-Gordonton area was severely flooded on the morning of the 7th. -37.780816 175.272836 Ruakura recorded 1.01 in (2.6 cm) of rain in one hour. Hamilton recorded 4.10 in (10.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. Hamilton recorded 4.25 in (10.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th (The Ministry of Works, 1954). Hamilton Airport recorded 4.5 in (11.4 cm) of rain on the 4th. Hamilton recorded 0.74 in (1.9 cm) of rain on the night of the 6th. Hamilton recorded 6.00 in (15.2 cm) of rain in the four days from the 3rd to the 6th (Return Period 15 years). Ruakura recorded 6.05 in (15.4 cm) of rain in the four days from the 3rd to the 6th. The Waikato River rose rapidly at Hamilton, and was 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) above normal. The Waikato River reached its peak level at Hamilton on the 7th, and it overflowed its banks in many places. The peak soon passed Hamilton and it was lower down the river that the most extensive and protracted flooding occurred. Many residential areas were flooded on the 6th, with Frankton, Claudelands and Hamilton East being the worst hit. Houses in Frankton were isolated by flood waters. About 250 homes were surounded by water. Nearly 100 houses in the Killarney Road, Ellis Street and Bandon Street area were completely surrounded. The water only entered a few homes. The flood waters began to recede at dusk but the heavy rain that night brought the water back up to all the houses. One house was evacuated by dinghy, with water lying an inch deep over the floors. Ruakura paddocks were well under water and a motor camp on Peachgrove Road was flooded.. There were slight delays to the railways. 60 girls were evacuated from the Hamilton High School hostel in River Road on the afternoon of the 5th due to a slip on the bank of the Waikato River. -37.337475 175.454918 There was a major flood over the Hauraki Plains. -37.559936 175.162622 The Waikato River rose 7-8 ft (2.1-2.4 m) above normal at Huntly. At Huntly, low-lying areas were flooded. Many houses and several factories were surrounded by flood waters. Some houses on the west side of the highway south were completely were surrounded by water. A block of public works huts was awash and a partially-built school had water up to its doorstep.. On the west bank of the Waikato River between Huntly and Rangiriri, the low stop banks were overtopped, causing flooding in low areas between the river and Lakes Rotongaro and Whangape. There was 12,000 acres (48.56 km^2) of sheet flooding. Country roads were flooded to depths of 3 ft (90 cm). Some homes were vacated. The Waikato River at Huntly had a peak discharge of 43,380 cusecs (1228 cumecs) on the 8th (gauged near the peak). The railway bridge at Huntly was damaged. The rail link was still intact but had a narrow causeway through floodwaters in some places. The Huntly west road was closed. The highway from Huntly to Pukemiro and Rotowaro was blocked. Cream collection services were down. Cattle were being mustered by boat, and swum to and from milking. Heavy fence damage was caused by floating logs and debris. -37.918771 175.541899 Karapiro recorded 3.91 in (9.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. The Karapiro and Arapuni dams were passing 5000 cusecs (142 cumecs) of water above requirements. -38.783172 176.021652 Lake Taupo rose over an inch (2.5 cm) above its maximum control level. -37.435468 175.189289 Large quantities of water entered Lake Waikare. -37.224378 175.174804 Mangatangi Stream flowed across the Paeroa-Pokeno state highway, blocking the road. Flood waters covered the road to a depth of 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m). -37.218243 175.119949 Mangatawhiri Stream flooded the Paeroa-Pokeno highway, blocking the road. The road was covered to a depth of 3-4 ft (90 cm-1.2 m). -38.356113 175.746764 Maraetai recorded 1.80in (4.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. -37.254046 175.223651 At Maramarua, a house was washed away, transported 2 miles (3.2 km) and badly damaged. 1000 sheep were lost in the Maramarua-Mangatangi area. -37.280396 175.051333 At Rangiriri and Mercer, all low-lying and swampy areas were inundated. Flooding occurred at the Mercer station and the railways were partially closed there. The Waikato River at Mercer was 2.50 ft (76 cm) below the peak of the 1907 flood. The Waikato River at Mercer had a peak discharge of 49,000 cusecs (1388 cumecs), with a catchment area of 5290 square miles (13,701 km^2). The Waikato River at Mercer reached a height of 113.7 ft (34.66 m). At Mercer, houses on the road along the river were vacated for several days. Nine houses along Mercer Bank were evacuated. There was 6 ft (1.8 m) of water lying in the Roose Shipping Company's workshop. Mercer was the worst affected area. The maximum flood flow at Mercer, reached on the 13th, was approximately two-thirds of that in the 1907 flood. -37.653686 175.524375 Morrinsville recorded 3.46 in (8.79 cm) of rain in 3 days. Morrinsville recorded 3.64 in (9.26 cm) of rain in 4 days. -37.668325 175.128 Ngaruawahia recorded 3.69 in (9.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. Ngaruawahia recorded 5.72 in (14.5 cm) of rain in the four days from the 3rd to the 6th. The Waikato River rose 10 ft (3.0 m) above normal at Ngaruawahia. The Waikato River at Ngaruawahia was 4.30 ft (1.31 m) below the peak of the 1907 flood. The Waipa River at the Ngaruawahia Bridge had a peak discharge of over 20,000 cusecs (566 cumecs) on the 7th. The Waipa River at the Ngaruawahia Bridge reached a height of 16.75 ft (5.11 m) on the 7th. -37.558269 175.311466 At Orini, many acres of farmland were under water. Crops were ruined. There were stock losses. -38.174188 175.209784 The Otorohanga township was flooded by the Waipa River. -37.245504 175.0131 Pokeno recorded 4.00 in (10.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. -37.43113 175.134897 State Highway 1 south of Te Onetea Stream (at Rangiriri) was blocked by flood waters. At Rangiriri and Mercer, all low-lying and swampy areas were inundated. The Waikato River at Rangiriri was 2.95 ft (90 cm) below the peak of the 1907 flood. There were an estimated 1000 stock losses in Rangiriri. -37.617086 175.189891 The dairy factory at Taupiri was not working after the pumping machinery went under water. Many pastures were covered in 6 in (15 cm) of silt. Farmers said it may take 12 months before the land was in full production. -38.69531 176.070758 Taupo recorded 1.09 in (2.8 cm) of rain in one hour. Taupo recorded 2.01 in (5.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. Taupo recorded 1.52 in (3.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th (Ministry of Works, 1954). Taupo recorded 5.06 in (12.85 cm) of rain in three days. Taupo recorded 5.48 in (13.9 cm) of rain in the four days from the 3rd to the 6th (Return Period 15 years). Taupo recorded 89 mm (8.9 cm) of rain in 18 hours (Return Period 15 years). -38.009384 175.334988 Te Awamutu recorded 3.80 in (9.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. -37.314673 174.848649 Swampy areas at Tuakau, and low-lying land at Onepoto and Te Kohanga were flooded, with 3000 acres (12.14 km^2) of developed land inundated. -37.737182 175.156211 The Te Kowhai to Whatawhata, and the Te Kowhai to Ngaruawahia roads were under some feet of water in several places. -38.3277 175.172348 Te Kuiti recorded 2.91 in (7.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. -39.02942 175.635411 Tongariro recorded 1.96 in (5.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 4th. -37.257675 174.938464 Swampy areas at Tuakau, Onepoto and Te Kohanga were flooded, with 3000 acres (12.14 km^2) of developed land inundated. The Waikato River at Tuakau Bridge had a peak discharge of 42,220 cusecs (1196 cumecs) on the 9th. The Waikato River at Tuakau Bridge reached a flood height of 14.00 ft (4.27 m) on the 9th. -38.251404 175.335123 The Waipa River flooded low-lying land between Te Kuiti and Otorohanga and the basin of the main Waipa River. -38.626082 176.080353 Wairakei recorded 1.16 in (2.9 cm) of rain in one hour. -37.347207 175.116526 Whangamarino swamp had 25,000 acres (101.17 km^2) flooded. The Whakatane and Rangitaiki Rivers were in high flood. State highways in the district suffered damage to the extent of £4,290 ($205,700 2008 dollars). The Tauranga-Te Puke highway was blocked by major slips. The Rotorua-Tauranga road was also blocked by slips and slips occurred on the Tauranga-Katikati highway. The Kaimai main road was blocked by a large slip. The Waitao and Rotorua direct roads were blocked. -37.978901 176.814184 Stock losses at Awakeri and Edgecumbe were slight. At Awakeri and Edgecumbe, many hundreds of acres were turned into lakes. -38.037247 176.427951 Lake Rotoiti rose 2 ft (60 cm). -37.800676 176.03073 Belk Road was blocked at the Kerikeri road bridge. -38.076778 176.218274 Ngongotaha Stream broke its banks. -37.664863 176.035125 There was a slip on the East Coast main trunk line at Omokoroa, which blocked the road. -37.838566 176.160825 Water 4 ft (1.2 m) deep closed Oropi Road. -38.140434 176.262282 Heavy rain fell across most of the Rotorua district. Rotorua recorded 4.00 in (10.2 cm) of rain in 48 hours. There was extensive flooding in some areas. About 20 houses in the Holland Street area were surrounded. Rotorua houses were invaded with water up to 1 ft (30 cm) deep. Serious damage occurred. Personal damage was severe. The Rotorua lakes reached their highest levels for many years. Utahina Stream broke its banks. -37.679532 176.173022 Tauranga Aerodome recorded 3.38 in (8.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 5th. Mt Maunganui airport was flooded. Many minor slips blocked several roads in Tauranga County. -37.779011 176.33425 In the Te Puke area, 14,000 acres (56.66 km^2) of farmland were under water. -38.340141 176.355126 Waiotapu recorded 4.51 in (11.46 cm) of rain in 3 days. Waiotapu recorded 5.47 in (13.9 cm) of rain in the four days from the 3rd to the 6th. -38.162602 176.251087 Whakarewarewa recorded 5.19 in (13.18 cm) of rain in 3 days. Whakarewarewa recorded 6.41 in (16.28 cm) of rain in 4 days. -37.967356 176.992417 Large areas of farmland were inundated around Whakatane. -41.509671 173.865652 Woodbourne arifield was closed on the 6th after steady rain on the 5th saturated the ground. It was reopened to passenger traffic on the morning of the 7th. -42.26513 173.800591 A large slip at Rakautara blocked the main south highway between Blenheim and Christchurch early on the morning of the 7th. Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand. Reference Finkelstein, J. (1954). The Waikato Flood of July 1953. New Zealand Meteorological Service Technical Note No. 108. Reference Hydrology Annual No.3 1955. Soil Conservation and River Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand. Reference Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006. Reference Ministry of Works. (1954). Waikato River Floods of July 1953 and July 1952. Reference New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.). Reference Owen, R.E. (1957). Rainfall Observations for 1953. New Zealand Meteorological Service. Reference Shearer, A.R. (1969). Hydrology Annual, No.14 1966. Published by the Ministry of Works, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand. Reference Headline: Heavy Rain Causes Slips On County Roads. Reference The Bay Of Plenty Times, 6 July 1953. Headline: Widespread damage in province. Reference The Bay of Plenty Times, 6 July 1953. Headline: Wide flood damage, Night-long deluge over Auckland area. Reference The New Zealand Herald, 5 July 1953. Headline: Wide flood damage: Roads, farms and stock suffer severely. Reference The New Zealand Herald, 5 July 1953. Headline: Weather. Reference The Northern Advocate, 3 July 1953. Headline: Weather. Reference The Northern Advocate, 4 July 1953. Headline: Heavy stock losses follow sudden flooding at week-end: Many roads affected, but mostly clear today. Reference The Northern Advocate, 6 July 1953. Headline: New house wrecked by great slip. Reference The Northern Advocate, 6 July 1953. Headline: Weather. Reference The Northern Advocate, 6 July 1953. Headline: Young woman fights to save home from flood. Reference The Northern Advocate, 6 July 1953. Headline: Large slip on Kiripaka Road. Reference The Northern Advocate, 7 July 1953. Headline: River spills out in miles' wide flood. Reference The Northern Advocate, 7 July 1953. Headline: Waikato bursts its banks, inundates vast farm area. Reference The Northern Advocate, 7 July 1953. Headline: House carried town miles by floods. Reference The Waikato Times 9 July 1953. Headline: Continued rainfall unwelcome in areas affected by flood. Reference The Waikato Times, 10 July 1953. Headline: Depeening waters on main highway: Flood spreads over 30 miles. Reference The Waikato Times, 11 July 1953. Headline: Clevedon worst hit: Losses of stock. Reference The Waikato Times, 7 July 1953. Headline: Flood damage widespread. Reference The Waikato Times, 7 July 1953. Headline: Worst of floods down stream: Main North Road blocked. Reference The Waikato Times, 8 July 1953.