A storm crossed the the southern portion of New Zealand. There was general rain in connection with this storm but the heavy falls were in the eastern district from Balclutha to Christchurch. The greatest intensity was confined to the district from a little south of Dunedin to just north of Oamaru and there were severe floods in this area.
The storm which caused the floods in the South Island was a cyclone which crossed the southern portion of New Zealand. There was general rain in connection with this storm but the heavy falls were in the eastern district from Balclutha to Christchurch. The greatest intensity was confined to the district from a little south of Dunedin to just north of Oamaru. A strong gale also struck the Opotiki district of the Bay of Plenty on the 18th.
Surface analyses at the time showed a 1000 hPa low moving eastwards across the South Island.
A gale swept the Opotiki district in the early on the morning of the 18th and reached its height about 7am.
Roofs were lifted off whares and there was other extensive damage in Maraenui.
It was one of the most severe gales experienced in Opotiki for many years.
The iron roof of a shop in Church Street was blown off and dozens of sheets of iron blown across street and piled in front of shops opposite.
Fences and trees were blown over. Hardly a tree remained undamaged. Several windows were blown out. The roofs of many outbuildings were torn off and corrugated iron was scattered in all directions.
Telephone and electric power lines were interferred with. A large tree blew across two sections of power lines and several other sections of the power system were disconnected.
Scarcely a haystack was left with a roof along Waioeka Road.
There were small delays on the Gisborne road.
There was extensive damage to maize crops, which were buffeted by the wind and flattened. The damage to maize crops were estimated to be in the thousands of pounds.
Fruit trees were practically stripped. There was great damage to vegetable and flower gardens in town.
Some wireless masts were blown down.
A foal was killed by a sheet of iron on a farm at Tirohanga.
A large haystack was completely blown away.
A large maize crib was blown over at Woodlands and landed on top of a car.
Rainfall in south Canterbury was very high resulting in floods on the 19th to the 20th.
At 2:30pm on the 19th, the main road between Oamaru and Kurow was rendered impassable for long stretches by a roaring torrent of floodwater.
Two turbulent streams came down from the Glen settlement.
Christchurch was swept by a severe south-west rainstorm.
Christchurch recorded 1.13 in (2.87 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
There was no damage done.
Duntroon recorded 4.48 in (11.38 cm) of rain.
There was 3 ft (0.91 m) of water on the road west of Duntroon, for distance of one and a half miles (2.4 km).
There was extensive flooding at the mouth of Waihao River where 500 acres (202 ha) were inundated.
On the 19th, the heaviest rainfall for 14 years hit Waimate and was accompanied by a heavy gale.
Waimate recorded 3.50 in (8.89 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Big falls were experienced in other parts of the district, especially in the back country.
Rivers and creeks in the district were in high flood.
There was a serious washout on the main railway line south of Glenavy. The line under 2.5 ft (0.76 m) of water
There were some sheep lost.
Inundated crops and swamped stooks were chiefly in the Morven, Willowbridge and Studholme district.
Dog-kennel Creek overflowed.
Telephone wires were interfered with extensively and communication was cut off owing to high winds.
Willowbridge recorded 3.90 in (9.91 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Willowbridge recorded 3.40 in (8.64 cm) of rain in five hours.
There were floods from Dunedin to Oamaru.
There was a severe washout on the Central Otago railway line, half a mile on the upper side of Salisbury station, on the night of the 19th. The engine of a stock and goods train from Ranfurly plunged into the gap made by the washout at 10pm. Two men (the train driver and the guard) suffered minor injuries. One man (who was the 26 years old train fireman) was buried under the engine.
Trains on the north and south railway lines resumed running on the 21st. But the Central Otago line was closed for three or four days.
The telegraph service between Christchurch and Dunedin was cut off.
The speed of the wind was 42 miles per hour (67.6 km/hr).
Awamoa Creek recorded 6.05 in (15.37 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Balclutha recorded 5.6 in (14.22 cm) of rain during during the day and night on the 19th until 4am on the 20th.
There was no damage in Balclutha.
Damage to Bruce County roads was £410 ($35,300 2009 dollars).
Burns Creek recorded 0.30 in (0.76 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Burns Creek recorded 8.83 in (22.43 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Burns Creek recorded 4.5 in (11.43 cm) of rain in five hours.
In Cromwell, the rain commenced early on the morning of the 18th and continued until before daylight on the 20th.
The Kawarau River rose 3.5 ft (1.07 m) and was still rising on the 19th.
The rivers didn't reach a high level, the rise was 7.5 ft (2.29 m) at town.
No damage was reported, although high creeks hampered traffic for a brief period.
The Clyde-Cromwell Gorge was severely affected by the very heavy rain.
Leaning Rock and Nine-mile Creeks became raging torrents.
Nine-mile Creek gouged out a hole 20 ft (6.1 m) wide and 4 ft (1.22 m) deep, making the road practically impassable.
Maori Hill recorded 5.48 in (13.92) of rain in 38 hours from 10pm on the 18th to noon on the 20th.
Maori Hill recorded 1 in (3.05 cm) of rain in 2.5 hours from 2pm to 4:30pm on the 19th.
Musselburgh recorded 0.47 in (1.19 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Musselburgh recorded 4.11 in (10.44 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Maori Hill Reservoir recorded 0.44 in (1.12 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Maori Hill Reservoir recorded 4.96 in (11.26 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Botanic Gardens recorded 0.64 in (1.63 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Botanic Gardens recorded 5.39 in (13.96 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Botanic Gardens recorded 2.15 in (5.46 cm) of rain in two and a half hours.
Total rainfall in Dunedin was over 2.75 in (6.99 cm) of rain in 17 hours.
Rain commenced at 9pm on the 18th. The heaviest rainfall was between 4pm and 9pm on the 19th.
The amount of rainfall was less than which caused the flood on the 23rd of April 1923, however the intensity of the rain appears to have been greater during a period of several hours.
Weather conditions prevented many pupils getting to high schools. The Girls' High School was closed for the day.
The northern part of the city and the surrounding district were severely flooded especially in the lower levels of the city. It was the heaviest flood experienced in the history of the city.
There was serious damage to supply mains.
Silt, debris and huge boulders were deposited on the streets and provided work for 200 unemployed people for a fortnight.
Many houses flooded on both sides of the Leith and at Lindsays Creek in the North East Valley.
Almost the whole of the north end of the city below King Street and the whole of North East Valley, almost to Normanby was underwater. Near Cargills Corner at the south end of the city approximately 100 houses were flooded. At the north end of town approximately 500 houses were flooded. A number of residents in the Caversham suburb and Kensington were flooded.
Bridges which spanned the stream at Leith Street, Clyde Street, Harbour Terrace, and also the bridge leading to the Quarry at Woodburgh were swept away. Bridges that were seriously damaged were Dundas Street bridge, Castle Street bridge and Malvern Street bridge.
Considerable damage done to the road by erosion of the banks of the stream.
Leith Valley Road at Cedar Creek was washed away.
A nine inch diameter branch pipe line from Upper Morrisons Creek was badly damaged for half a mile in length due to river bank erosion. Another 12 in water main was also damaged. Over 500ft of pipeline was swept away. The water main at Leith was damaged in two places.
The flood invaded the Powder Creek pump house to 20 in (50.8 cm).
The flood of 1923 was 29 in (73.66 cm) lower than this level.
There was overflowing of the stream at McKenna bridge which damaged the roadway.
There was an extensive deposit of boulders below the junction of the West Branch.
There was considerable erosion at the 'Scenic Reserve'.
Great deal of damage was done by the undermining of walls and other protective works. Roadways were washed away entirely in places and there were numerous slips.
The bursting of a large main sewer was responsible for a rushing torrent of water. It flowed through several of the narrower streets to a depth of 4 -5 ft (1.22 - 1.52 m).
Tram services were stopped.
Scores of families were forced to vacate homes late on the 19th, in many instances people had to be rescued. Boats were used to remove women and children. In the region of Harrow and Leith Streets, every house was vacated.
Few motor-cars could get through to Normanby.
Low-lying areas suffered especially with the severity from the raging torrents.
Entire suburban areas were covered in water as well as some of the principal streets of the city. Part of the business section of town was inundated. Their floors were left covered with slime.
Roads were torn up.
The level of the water rose and at high tide it was 6 inches (15.24 cm) above the windowsills.
The riverside fence gave way and a larger volume of water was released into Forth Street.
The areas that suffered the worst were Kensington and parts of Caversham, notably Bridgeman Street, Grosvenor Street, Park Terrace and Baker Street, in all of which large numbers of houses were flooded.
One farmer lost 60 head of stock.
In many places crops in stack will be ruined.
Water was over 3 ft (0.91 m) on the Cumberland Street footpath. Three cars were stranded.
Roslyn water mains lost pressure due to a pipe break and the water main in Harbour Terrace burst.
On Wilkie Road, the manhole cover was blown off. A huge geyser sent torrents of water down Bridgman, Grosvenor and adjacent streets at 1pm on the 19th.
Water level was up to 3 ft (0.91 m) in some streets by 4pm on the 19th.
In Caversham, a waterfall of water poured from the conduit over the railway embankment at the Burnside end of Caverhsam Tunnel and went onto the Main South Road. There were two other heavy stormwater overflows onto Main South Road.
A large amount of metal was washed onto the tramway line, stopping traffic.
A lorry went through the road where water had eroded away the foundations from under the surface.
Some trains were delayed or suspended on the Main North railway line. There was up to nearly 4 ft (1.22 m) of water on the line in one place.
Everything Mr R. Davidson owned was ruined. His sawmill, £100 weir ($8611 2009 dollars) and water race were damaged. His 8-roomed house was severely damaged (estimated damage was £1000 ($86,110 2009 dollars)). Water was up to the window sills, the foundations were undermined and there was debris upto 7 ft (2.13 m) on the lawn. There was £100 ($8611 2009 dollars) damage to the furniture in the shed and the grounds had became part of the riverbed.
Crops were ruined in the vicinity of NZ Paper Mills.
Water poured in windows at NZ Paper Mills at 5pm on the 19th. The ground floor was flooded and work stopped. The weir was carried away and concrete pillars of the water tank were undermined.
Every residence in the vicinity of Malvern Streen bridge was inundated.
Water reached 9 in (0.23 m) in several houses and 3 ft (0.91 m) in some houses near the Gardens.
The surfaces of streets were torn up and there were huge piles of debris. At the Garden's corner, there were tons of silt gathered where Lindsay's Creek and The Leith converged. The Botanic Gardens were severely damaged.
There was severe damage to shops on the main road.
Harrow Street and St. Andrew Street area was one of the worst hit in the city. Water was still lapping at the window sills at midday on the 20th.
The tram service along Castle Street was dislocated.
Flooding included Messrs, Kempthorne and Prosser's chemical works and the Milburn Lime Company's premises.
There was hundreds of pounds of damage to Messrs R. Hudson and Co. The Messrs McLeod Bros.' factory had damage running into 4 figures. Water was up to 4 ft (1.22 m), up to 9 in (0.23 m) higher than the 1923 flood. Messrs Stone and Co. had damage estimated at £400-500 ($34,400-43,100 2009 dollars). Messrs Paterson and Barr's warehouse had damage worth £500 ($43,100 2009 dollars).
Victoria Hotel had water almost up to the counter top.
Bathgate Park and Carisbrook had water almost up to the top of the boundary fence.
Marion Street had a heap of 4 ft (1.22 m) high of gravel, metal and silt.
Main South Road had asphalt torn as if by an explosive between Fitzroy and Playfair Streets.
At Harraway's Mill, there was considerable damage to stock stored in the cellars.
A man was found lying in flood water at the corner of Park Terrace and King Edward Street. He suffered from cold and exposure.
Conditions were generally observed to be less serious than those of the 1923 flood.
Willow Bank had water up to 2 ft (0.61 m) and the grounds of houses were inundated.
Early in the evening of the 19th, water reached the top of George Street bridge and the road all round it was impassable.
Duke Street bridge was seriously threatened and couldn't be crossed safely. The huge volume of water escaping at Duke Street bridge poured into Woodhaugh Gardens. The greater part of it flowed along George Street to Howe Street corner where shops and houses were invaded, then turned into King Street. From St. David Street to Union Street water from higher levels formed a lake. At the northern end of King Street and the entire length of Castle Street resembled rivers along which flood waters poured into the centre of the city.
The low-lying area round St. Andrew Street at the junction with Caste and Cumberland Street was the most seriously affected. Water in some cases was reaching window sills and all houses in the vicinity was vacated.
At 10pm on the 19th, the flood water reached the Daily Times office in Lower High Street, then flowed into Rattray Street.
Queen's Gardens were under water.
The council received a claim for £600 ($51,700 2009 dollars) for a place which had been washed away.
The back of a house in Malvern Street sunk on its piles.
506 homes in Dunedin were affected by the flood.
The Linoleum Assessment Committee estimated that £2620 ($225,600 2009 dollars) was required to replace the damaged linoleums and floor coverings for the 406 homes assessed.
Bulk of damage at occurred at the north end of the city where streams overflowed to invade shops and houses to depths between 4 in and 4 ft (0.10-1.22 m).
Damage to works in Dunedin cost £50,847 ($4,379,000 2009 dollars) and damage to the water supply cost £13,167 ($1,134,000 2009 dollars).
All shipping work was at a standstill on the 19th and at least five ships were delayed.
Hampden recorded 4.20 in (10.67 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Kaikorai Stream was a raging torrent and a wide area at Green Island and Burnside was flooded. Hundreds of small streams from hillsides had swelled its volume.
The Burnside Sale Yards and the low-lying flats were inundated.
Green Island had water on road up to 5 ft (1.52 m) and all road traffic was suspended.
Six lorries and two cars were stranded bonnet-deep at one point.
There was disastrous flooding of nearby houses and some residents had to leaving their homes. One house was estimated to have 7 ft (2.13 m) of water in it.
The peak discharge from Lake Mahinerangi was 23,800 cusecs (674 cumecs).
Lawrence recorded 2.50 in (6.35 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th. The heavy rain continued over this period, practically without a break.
People began to remove household goods, but creeks began to recede in the early hours of the morning on the 20th.
There were two or three washouts on the Lawrence to Milton section of the railway line. This interferred with the usual timetable.
Lindsay Creek had a flood discharge of 2440 cusecs (69 cumecs).
Lindsay Creek also broke its banks and, from the Gardens northward, the flood was the worst experienced in memory.
The bridge over Lindsay Creek collapsed.
The first break in Lindsay Creek was at Calder's quarry and there were several minor breaks as the creek neared the Gardens.
There was 2 ft (0.61 m) of water on road near the dairy factory and water over the railway line at Gordon Road.
In Mosgiel, a lot of water was collected in the streets due to backed up drains.
Large areas of the railway lines were under water between Wingatui and Mosgiel.
Three cars were stranded on the road.
Ngapara recorded 4.58 in (11.63 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Oamaru recorded 6.16 in (15.65 cm) of rain in 24 hours (which has a return period of 150 years).
Oamaru recorded 6.59 in (16.74 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to morning on the 20th.
Oamaru recorded 2.24 in (5.69 cm) of rain in two and a half hours from 4pm to 6:30pm on the 19th.
The deluge fell over an extensive area. It was the heaviest downpour experienced in Oamaru for many years.
Severe flooding in occurred in Oamaru and a great amount of damage was done in the town.
Stormwater channels were unable to cope with the surface water.
Many business premises and dwellings were isolated by large expanses of water.
Occupants of four houses in Reed and Aln Streets were flooded out.
The approaches to the bridge at Takaro Park were washed away by the creek.
Several shops suffered severely. Few shops and houses escaped some damage.
Several concrete retaining walls in various parts of the town were washed away. A new retaining wall at Reed St Convent collapsed during storm, as did similar structures at residences in Wharfe St, cnr of Stour and Lune Sts, Test St and Tees St
A number of houses in the low-lying portions of town were flooded to the windowsills.
The damage to roads and footpaths was extensive in different localities subsidences of the ground occurred.
On South Hill deep channels were cut into several streets and new embankment work in Severn Street was severely damaged.
Damage suffered at the business premises in Thames Street and stocks in a number of stores in Habour Street were damaged.
Three low-lying private residences were flooded out, in Cross Lane, Aln Street and Reed Street. There was considerable loss to these residents as most of the furniture and all the wallpaper and floor coverings were ruined by floodwater reaching over the window sills. Two residences in a depression in Greta Street experienced similar conditions.
The Public Gardens suffered much damage. A layer of mud was deposited over many of the lawns, several flower beds were scoured out and the footbridge over Oamaru Creek was carried away.
A few ploughed paddocks were scoured out.
At 2:30pm on the 19th, the main road between Oamaru and Kurow was rendered impassable for long stretches by a roaring torrent of floodwater.
Stormwater made several breaches in the water race to the Oamaru reservoir.
The road was impassable from Awamoko to Altavady station and also to Papakaio.
Ophir recorded 20 points (0.71 cm) of rain in 20 hours to 4pm on the 19th.
Otiake recorded 5 in (12.7 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Ross Creek Reservoir recorded 0.52 in (1.32 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Ross Creek Reservoir recorded 11 in (27.94 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th (which has a return period of over 150 years).
It was estimated that the heaviest fall was at Ross Creek, which was in direct path of the storm.
There were water shortages in some areas, including Ross Creek.
Steady rain set in on the evening of the 19th and continued through the night.
Roxburgh recorded 1 in (3.05 cm) of rain from the evening of the 19th to the morning of the 20th.
Head of Silver Stream Race recorded 0.61 in (1.55 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Head of Silver Stream Race recorded 7.68 in (19.51 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Head of Silverstream Race recorded 3 in (7.62 cm) of rain in three hours.
Near Silver Stream, there was water in some farmhouses.
The Silver Stream Valley pumphouse flooded to a depth of 20 in (0.51 m).
A portion of Mr Greave's farm on banks of Silver Stream near Gow's Crossing was washed away.
Sullivans Dam recorded 0.55 in (1.40 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Sullivans Dam recorded 9.3 in (23.62 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th (which has a return period of over 150 years).
There was interruption of water supply to high level reservoirs from Sullivans dam.
Rain commenced at 10pm on the 18th.
Silver Stream and Owhiro overflowed before nightfall.
All low-lying roads were under water.
Road communication was practically cut off on all sides.
The express train from Dunedin to Invercargilll had to return due to water on the railway line. There was water on the line at Outram.
One farmer lost 58 ewes.
There were losses of fowls. Several fowl runs were almost depleted of fowls.
There was damage to gardens due to scouring and vegetables were strewn about.
In many paddocks crops were washed up against fences, potato crops were ruined and grain stacked in barns became soaked.
There was a fair amount of flooding on Taieri Plain but not to a great extent.
Taieri River peaked at 14 ft (4.27 m) at Outram Bridge.
The contour channel burst in a few places.
Waipori recorded 3.5 in (8.89 cm) in 24 hours.
Waipori recorded 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain up to 8pm on the 19th.
Waipori River had a discharge of 23,840 cusecs (675 cumecs) at Lake Mahinerangi with a catchment area of 123 sq miles (319 km^2).
The level at the dam rose 6 in (0.15 m) but it was still 6 ft (1.83 m) below the banks.
Waitati-Leith station recorded 9.41 (23.90 cm) in of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Flooding of the Leith was due to a phenomenal rainfall in the back country. The most remarkable feature of the rainfall was its intensity.
The flood was believed to be the highest experienced in the Water of Leith. The flood was estimated at a greater than 200 year event in the Leith.
The Water of Leith had a discharge of 11,340 cusecs (321 cumecs) below Lindsays Creek with a catchment area of 15.24 sq miles (39.5 km^2).
Water of Leith had a flood discharge above Lindsays Creek of 8900 cusecs (252 cumecs).
The Leith Valley bridge was damaged.
River overflowed at Harrow Street foot bridge where debris had piled up and part of the bridge collapsed later.
River overflowed in the Gardens Reserve shortly before 6pm on the 19th. There was flooding in the Botanic Gardens, Woodhaugh Gardens and Queen's Gardens.
The Leith changed its course by cutting off a corner and returning to its former course.
There were numerous places of scouring along the road.
The river carried down huge trees and boulders, telegraph poles and a section of large concrete protective wall.
The flood was at its worst just above the junction of The Leith and Pine Hill Creek.
The Water of Leith overflowed its banks in many places flooding low-lying portions of the town. It was overflowing at Leith Street at 5pm on the 19th. Overflow also inundated Castle Street and Cumberland Street into lower High Street and as far as Rattray Street.
Most of the houses on and near the banks of the Leith were invaded by water to a depth of three to four feet (0.91-1.22 m). Many of the residents were forced to move.
There was extensive erosion along the banks of The Leith. At the University, the bank was washed away for 150 yards or more, and the memorial walk and trees disappeared.
Great quantities of silt were deposition on both sides of the Leith. There was 6200 cubic yards (4740 cubic metres) removed.
Restricting the Leith was the cause of a great deal of the damage and flooding. The mouth of the stream had been narrowed, the tide backed up and water was backed up in sewers leading to severe flooding.
Whare Flat recorded 0.57 in (1.45 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Whare Flat recorded 9.41 in (23.90 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th (which has a return period of over 150 years).
Whare Creek recorded 4.76 in (12.09 cm) of rain in 4.5 hours.
There were badly scoured roads. Whare Flat Road cost at least £500 ($43,100 2009 dollars) to repair.
A Williams Creek the bridge was endangered by scouring.
The annual maximum flood discharge of the Mataura River was 311 cumecs on the 21st.
A storm crossed the the southern portion of New Zealand. There was general rain in connection with this storm but the heavy falls were in the eastern district from Balclutha to Christchurch. The greatest intensity was confined to the district from a little south of Dunedin to just north of Oamaru and there were severe floods in this area.
The storm which caused the floods in the South Island was a cyclone which crossed the southern portion of New Zealand. There was general rain in connection with this storm but the heavy falls were in the eastern district from Balclutha to Christchurch. The greatest intensity was confined to the district from a little south of Dunedin to just north of Oamaru. A strong gale also struck the Opotiki district of the Bay of Plenty on the 18th.
Surface analyses at the time showed a 1000 hPa low moving eastwards across the South Island.
A gale swept the Opotiki district in the early on the morning of the 18th and reached its height about 7am.
Roofs were lifted off whares and there was other extensive damage in Maraenui.
It was one of the most severe gales experienced in Opotiki for many years.
The iron roof of a shop in Church Street was blown off and dozens of sheets of iron blown across street and piled in front of shops opposite.
Fences and trees were blown over. Hardly a tree remained undamaged. Several windows were blown out. The roofs of many outbuildings were torn off and corrugated iron was scattered in all directions.
Telephone and electric power lines were interferred with. A large tree blew across two sections of power lines and several other sections of the power system were disconnected.
Scarcely a haystack was left with a roof along Waioeka Road.
There were small delays on the Gisborne road.
There was extensive damage to maize crops, which were buffeted by the wind and flattened. The damage to maize crops were estimated to be in the thousands of pounds.
Fruit trees were practically stripped. There was great damage to vegetable and flower gardens in town.
Some wireless masts were blown down.
A foal was killed by a sheet of iron on a farm at Tirohanga.
A large haystack was completely blown away.
A large maize crib was blown over at Woodlands and landed on top of a car.
Rainfall in south Canterbury was very high resulting in floods on the 19th to the 20th.
At 2:30pm on the 19th, the main road between Oamaru and Kurow was rendered impassable for long stretches by a roaring torrent of floodwater.
Two turbulent streams came down from the Glen settlement.
Christchurch was swept by a severe south-west rainstorm.
Christchurch recorded 1.13 in (2.87 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
There was no damage done.
Duntroon recorded 4.48 in (11.38 cm) of rain.
There was 3 ft (0.91 m) of water on the road west of Duntroon, for distance of one and a half miles (2.4 km).
There was extensive flooding at the mouth of Waihao River where 500 acres (202 ha) were inundated.
On the 19th, the heaviest rainfall for 14 years hit Waimate and was accompanied by a heavy gale.
Waimate recorded 3.50 in (8.89 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Big falls were experienced in other parts of the district, especially in the back country.
Rivers and creeks in the district were in high flood.
There was a serious washout on the main railway line south of Glenavy. The line under 2.5 ft (0.76 m) of water
There were some sheep lost.
Inundated crops and swamped stooks were chiefly in the Morven, Willowbridge and Studholme district.
Dog-kennel Creek overflowed.
Telephone wires were interfered with extensively and communication was cut off owing to high winds.
Willowbridge recorded 3.90 in (9.91 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Willowbridge recorded 3.40 in (8.64 cm) of rain in five hours.
There were floods from Dunedin to Oamaru.
There was a severe washout on the Central Otago railway line, half a mile on the upper side of Salisbury station, on the night of the 19th. The engine of a stock and goods train from Ranfurly plunged into the gap made by the washout at 10pm. Two men (the train driver and the guard) suffered minor injuries. One man (who was the 26 years old train fireman) was buried under the engine.
Trains on the north and south railway lines resumed running on the 21st. But the Central Otago line was closed for three or four days.
The telegraph service between Christchurch and Dunedin was cut off.
The speed of the wind was 42 miles per hour (67.6 km/hr).
Awamoa Creek recorded 6.05 in (15.37 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Balclutha recorded 5.6 in (14.22 cm) of rain during during the day and night on the 19th until 4am on the 20th.
There was no damage in Balclutha.
Damage to Bruce County roads was £410 ($35,300 2009 dollars).
Burns Creek recorded 0.30 in (0.76 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Burns Creek recorded 8.83 in (22.43 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Burns Creek recorded 4.5 in (11.43 cm) of rain in five hours.
In Cromwell, the rain commenced early on the morning of the 18th and continued until before daylight on the 20th.
The Kawarau River rose 3.5 ft (1.07 m) and was still rising on the 19th.
The rivers didn't reach a high level, the rise was 7.5 ft (2.29 m) at town.
No damage was reported, although high creeks hampered traffic for a brief period.
The Clyde-Cromwell Gorge was severely affected by the very heavy rain.
Leaning Rock and Nine-mile Creeks became raging torrents.
Nine-mile Creek gouged out a hole 20 ft (6.1 m) wide and 4 ft (1.22 m) deep, making the road practically impassable.
Maori Hill recorded 5.48 in (13.92) of rain in 38 hours from 10pm on the 18th to noon on the 20th.
Maori Hill recorded 1 in (3.05 cm) of rain in 2.5 hours from 2pm to 4:30pm on the 19th.
Musselburgh recorded 0.47 in (1.19 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Musselburgh recorded 4.11 in (10.44 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Maori Hill Reservoir recorded 0.44 in (1.12 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Maori Hill Reservoir recorded 4.96 in (11.26 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Botanic Gardens recorded 0.64 in (1.63 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Botanic Gardens recorded 5.39 in (13.96 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Botanic Gardens recorded 2.15 in (5.46 cm) of rain in two and a half hours.
Total rainfall in Dunedin was over 2.75 in (6.99 cm) of rain in 17 hours.
Rain commenced at 9pm on the 18th. The heaviest rainfall was between 4pm and 9pm on the 19th.
The amount of rainfall was less than which caused the flood on the 23rd of April 1923, however the intensity of the rain appears to have been greater during a period of several hours.
Weather conditions prevented many pupils getting to high schools. The Girls' High School was closed for the day.
The northern part of the city and the surrounding district were severely flooded especially in the lower levels of the city. It was the heaviest flood experienced in the history of the city.
There was serious damage to supply mains.
Silt, debris and huge boulders were deposited on the streets and provided work for 200 unemployed people for a fortnight.
Many houses flooded on both sides of the Leith and at Lindsays Creek in the North East Valley.
Almost the whole of the north end of the city below King Street and the whole of North East Valley, almost to Normanby was underwater. Near Cargills Corner at the south end of the city approximately 100 houses were flooded. At the north end of town approximately 500 houses were flooded. A number of residents in the Caversham suburb and Kensington were flooded.
Bridges which spanned the stream at Leith Street, Clyde Street, Harbour Terrace, and also the bridge leading to the Quarry at Woodburgh were swept away. Bridges that were seriously damaged were Dundas Street bridge, Castle Street bridge and Malvern Street bridge.
Considerable damage done to the road by erosion of the banks of the stream.
Leith Valley Road at Cedar Creek was washed away.
A nine inch diameter branch pipe line from Upper Morrisons Creek was badly damaged for half a mile in length due to river bank erosion. Another 12 in water main was also damaged. Over 500ft of pipeline was swept away. The water main at Leith was damaged in two places.
The flood invaded the Powder Creek pump house to 20 in (50.8 cm).
The flood of 1923 was 29 in (73.66 cm) lower than this level.
There was overflowing of the stream at McKenna bridge which damaged the roadway.
There was an extensive deposit of boulders below the junction of the West Branch.
There was considerable erosion at the 'Scenic Reserve'.
Great deal of damage was done by the undermining of walls and other protective works. Roadways were washed away entirely in places and there were numerous slips.
The bursting of a large main sewer was responsible for a rushing torrent of water. It flowed through several of the narrower streets to a depth of 4 -5 ft (1.22 - 1.52 m).
Tram services were stopped.
Scores of families were forced to vacate homes late on the 19th, in many instances people had to be rescued. Boats were used to remove women and children. In the region of Harrow and Leith Streets, every house was vacated.
Few motor-cars could get through to Normanby.
Low-lying areas suffered especially with the severity from the raging torrents.
Entire suburban areas were covered in water as well as some of the principal streets of the city. Part of the business section of town was inundated. Their floors were left covered with slime.
Roads were torn up.
The level of the water rose and at high tide it was 6 inches (15.24 cm) above the windowsills.
The riverside fence gave way and a larger volume of water was released into Forth Street.
The areas that suffered the worst were Kensington and parts of Caversham, notably Bridgeman Street, Grosvenor Street, Park Terrace and Baker Street, in all of which large numbers of houses were flooded.
One farmer lost 60 head of stock.
In many places crops in stack will be ruined.
Water was over 3 ft (0.91 m) on the Cumberland Street footpath. Three cars were stranded.
Roslyn water mains lost pressure due to a pipe break and the water main in Harbour Terrace burst.
On Wilkie Road, the manhole cover was blown off. A huge geyser sent torrents of water down Bridgman, Grosvenor and adjacent streets at 1pm on the 19th.
Water level was up to 3 ft (0.91 m) in some streets by 4pm on the 19th.
In Caversham, a waterfall of water poured from the conduit over the railway embankment at the Burnside end of Caverhsam Tunnel and went onto the Main South Road. There were two other heavy stormwater overflows onto Main South Road.
A large amount of metal was washed onto the tramway line, stopping traffic.
A lorry went through the road where water had eroded away the foundations from under the surface.
Some trains were delayed or suspended on the Main North railway line. There was up to nearly 4 ft (1.22 m) of water on the line in one place.
Everything Mr R. Davidson owned was ruined. His sawmill, £100 weir ($8611 2009 dollars) and water race were damaged. His 8-roomed house was severely damaged (estimated damage was £1000 ($86,110 2009 dollars)). Water was up to the window sills, the foundations were undermined and there was debris upto 7 ft (2.13 m) on the lawn. There was £100 ($8611 2009 dollars) damage to the furniture in the shed and the grounds had became part of the riverbed.
Crops were ruined in the vicinity of NZ Paper Mills.
Water poured in windows at NZ Paper Mills at 5pm on the 19th. The ground floor was flooded and work stopped. The weir was carried away and concrete pillars of the water tank were undermined.
Every residence in the vicinity of Malvern Streen bridge was inundated.
Water reached 9 in (0.23 m) in several houses and 3 ft (0.91 m) in some houses near the Gardens.
The surfaces of streets were torn up and there were huge piles of debris. At the Garden's corner, there were tons of silt gathered where Lindsay's Creek and The Leith converged. The Botanic Gardens were severely damaged.
There was severe damage to shops on the main road.
Harrow Street and St. Andrew Street area was one of the worst hit in the city. Water was still lapping at the window sills at midday on the 20th.
The tram service along Castle Street was dislocated.
Flooding included Messrs, Kempthorne and Prosser's chemical works and the Milburn Lime Company's premises.
There was hundreds of pounds of damage to Messrs R. Hudson and Co. The Messrs McLeod Bros.' factory had damage running into 4 figures. Water was up to 4 ft (1.22 m), up to 9 in (0.23 m) higher than the 1923 flood. Messrs Stone and Co. had damage estimated at £400-500 ($34,400-43,100 2009 dollars). Messrs Paterson and Barr's warehouse had damage worth £500 ($43,100 2009 dollars).
Victoria Hotel had water almost up to the counter top.
Bathgate Park and Carisbrook had water almost up to the top of the boundary fence.
Marion Street had a heap of 4 ft (1.22 m) high of gravel, metal and silt.
Main South Road had asphalt torn as if by an explosive between Fitzroy and Playfair Streets.
At Harraway's Mill, there was considerable damage to stock stored in the cellars.
A man was found lying in flood water at the corner of Park Terrace and King Edward Street. He suffered from cold and exposure.
Conditions were generally observed to be less serious than those of the 1923 flood.
Willow Bank had water up to 2 ft (0.61 m) and the grounds of houses were inundated.
Early in the evening of the 19th, water reached the top of George Street bridge and the road all round it was impassable.
Duke Street bridge was seriously threatened and couldn't be crossed safely. The huge volume of water escaping at Duke Street bridge poured into Woodhaugh Gardens. The greater part of it flowed along George Street to Howe Street corner where shops and houses were invaded, then turned into King Street. From St. David Street to Union Street water from higher levels formed a lake. At the northern end of King Street and the entire length of Castle Street resembled rivers along which flood waters poured into the centre of the city.
The low-lying area round St. Andrew Street at the junction with Caste and Cumberland Street was the most seriously affected. Water in some cases was reaching window sills and all houses in the vicinity was vacated.
At 10pm on the 19th, the flood water reached the Daily Times office in Lower High Street, then flowed into Rattray Street.
Queen's Gardens were under water.
The council received a claim for £600 ($51,700 2009 dollars) for a place which had been washed away.
The back of a house in Malvern Street sunk on its piles.
506 homes in Dunedin were affected by the flood.
The Linoleum Assessment Committee estimated that £2620 ($225,600 2009 dollars) was required to replace the damaged linoleums and floor coverings for the 406 homes assessed.
Bulk of damage at occurred at the north end of the city where streams overflowed to invade shops and houses to depths between 4 in and 4 ft (0.10-1.22 m).
Damage to works in Dunedin cost £50,847 ($4,379,000 2009 dollars) and damage to the water supply cost £13,167 ($1,134,000 2009 dollars).
All shipping work was at a standstill on the 19th and at least five ships were delayed.
Hampden recorded 4.20 in (10.67 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Kaikorai Stream was a raging torrent and a wide area at Green Island and Burnside was flooded. Hundreds of small streams from hillsides had swelled its volume.
The Burnside Sale Yards and the low-lying flats were inundated.
Green Island had water on road up to 5 ft (1.52 m) and all road traffic was suspended.
Six lorries and two cars were stranded bonnet-deep at one point.
There was disastrous flooding of nearby houses and some residents had to leaving their homes. One house was estimated to have 7 ft (2.13 m) of water in it.
The peak discharge from Lake Mahinerangi was 23,800 cusecs (674 cumecs).
Lawrence recorded 2.50 in (6.35 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th. The heavy rain continued over this period, practically without a break.
People began to remove household goods, but creeks began to recede in the early hours of the morning on the 20th.
There were two or three washouts on the Lawrence to Milton section of the railway line. This interferred with the usual timetable.
Lindsay Creek had a flood discharge of 2440 cusecs (69 cumecs).
Lindsay Creek also broke its banks and, from the Gardens northward, the flood was the worst experienced in memory.
The bridge over Lindsay Creek collapsed.
The first break in Lindsay Creek was at Calder's quarry and there were several minor breaks as the creek neared the Gardens.
There was 2 ft (0.61 m) of water on road near the dairy factory and water over the railway line at Gordon Road.
In Mosgiel, a lot of water was collected in the streets due to backed up drains.
Large areas of the railway lines were under water between Wingatui and Mosgiel.
Three cars were stranded on the road.
Ngapara recorded 4.58 in (11.63 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Oamaru recorded 6.16 in (15.65 cm) of rain in 24 hours (which has a return period of 150 years).
Oamaru recorded 6.59 in (16.74 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to morning on the 20th.
Oamaru recorded 2.24 in (5.69 cm) of rain in two and a half hours from 4pm to 6:30pm on the 19th.
The deluge fell over an extensive area. It was the heaviest downpour experienced in Oamaru for many years.
Severe flooding in occurred in Oamaru and a great amount of damage was done in the town.
Stormwater channels were unable to cope with the surface water.
Many business premises and dwellings were isolated by large expanses of water.
Occupants of four houses in Reed and Aln Streets were flooded out.
The approaches to the bridge at Takaro Park were washed away by the creek.
Several shops suffered severely. Few shops and houses escaped some damage.
Several concrete retaining walls in various parts of the town were washed away. A new retaining wall at Reed St Convent collapsed during storm, as did similar structures at residences in Wharfe St, cnr of Stour and Lune Sts, Test St and Tees St
A number of houses in the low-lying portions of town were flooded to the windowsills.
The damage to roads and footpaths was extensive in different localities subsidences of the ground occurred.
On South Hill deep channels were cut into several streets and new embankment work in Severn Street was severely damaged.
Damage suffered at the business premises in Thames Street and stocks in a number of stores in Habour Street were damaged.
Three low-lying private residences were flooded out, in Cross Lane, Aln Street and Reed Street. There was considerable loss to these residents as most of the furniture and all the wallpaper and floor coverings were ruined by floodwater reaching over the window sills. Two residences in a depression in Greta Street experienced similar conditions.
The Public Gardens suffered much damage. A layer of mud was deposited over many of the lawns, several flower beds were scoured out and the footbridge over Oamaru Creek was carried away.
A few ploughed paddocks were scoured out.
At 2:30pm on the 19th, the main road between Oamaru and Kurow was rendered impassable for long stretches by a roaring torrent of floodwater.
Stormwater made several breaches in the water race to the Oamaru reservoir.
The road was impassable from Awamoko to Altavady station and also to Papakaio.
Ophir recorded 20 points (0.71 cm) of rain in 20 hours to 4pm on the 19th.
Otiake recorded 5 in (12.7 cm) of rain from the night of the 18th to the morning of the 20th.
Ross Creek Reservoir recorded 0.52 in (1.32 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Ross Creek Reservoir recorded 11 in (27.94 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th (which has a return period of over 150 years).
It was estimated that the heaviest fall was at Ross Creek, which was in direct path of the storm.
There were water shortages in some areas, including Ross Creek.
Steady rain set in on the evening of the 19th and continued through the night.
Roxburgh recorded 1 in (3.05 cm) of rain from the evening of the 19th to the morning of the 20th.
Head of Silver Stream Race recorded 0.61 in (1.55 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Head of Silver Stream Race recorded 7.68 in (19.51 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Head of Silverstream Race recorded 3 in (7.62 cm) of rain in three hours.
Near Silver Stream, there was water in some farmhouses.
The Silver Stream Valley pumphouse flooded to a depth of 20 in (0.51 m).
A portion of Mr Greave's farm on banks of Silver Stream near Gow's Crossing was washed away.
Sullivans Dam recorded 0.55 in (1.40 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Sullivans Dam recorded 9.3 in (23.62 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th (which has a return period of over 150 years).
There was interruption of water supply to high level reservoirs from Sullivans dam.
Rain commenced at 10pm on the 18th.
Silver Stream and Owhiro overflowed before nightfall.
All low-lying roads were under water.
Road communication was practically cut off on all sides.
The express train from Dunedin to Invercargilll had to return due to water on the railway line. There was water on the line at Outram.
One farmer lost 58 ewes.
There were losses of fowls. Several fowl runs were almost depleted of fowls.
There was damage to gardens due to scouring and vegetables were strewn about.
In many paddocks crops were washed up against fences, potato crops were ruined and grain stacked in barns became soaked.
There was a fair amount of flooding on Taieri Plain but not to a great extent.
Taieri River peaked at 14 ft (4.27 m) at Outram Bridge.
The contour channel burst in a few places.
Waipori recorded 3.5 in (8.89 cm) in 24 hours.
Waipori recorded 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain up to 8pm on the 19th.
Waipori River had a discharge of 23,840 cusecs (675 cumecs) at Lake Mahinerangi with a catchment area of 123 sq miles (319 km^2).
The level at the dam rose 6 in (0.15 m) but it was still 6 ft (1.83 m) below the banks.
Waitati-Leith station recorded 9.41 (23.90 cm) in of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th.
Flooding of the Leith was due to a phenomenal rainfall in the back country. The most remarkable feature of the rainfall was its intensity.
The flood was believed to be the highest experienced in the Water of Leith. The flood was estimated at a greater than 200 year event in the Leith.
The Water of Leith had a discharge of 11,340 cusecs (321 cumecs) below Lindsays Creek with a catchment area of 15.24 sq miles (39.5 km^2).
Water of Leith had a flood discharge above Lindsays Creek of 8900 cusecs (252 cumecs).
The Leith Valley bridge was damaged.
River overflowed at Harrow Street foot bridge where debris had piled up and part of the bridge collapsed later.
River overflowed in the Gardens Reserve shortly before 6pm on the 19th. There was flooding in the Botanic Gardens, Woodhaugh Gardens and Queen's Gardens.
The Leith changed its course by cutting off a corner and returning to its former course.
There were numerous places of scouring along the road.
The river carried down huge trees and boulders, telegraph poles and a section of large concrete protective wall.
The flood was at its worst just above the junction of The Leith and Pine Hill Creek.
The Water of Leith overflowed its banks in many places flooding low-lying portions of the town. It was overflowing at Leith Street at 5pm on the 19th. Overflow also inundated Castle Street and Cumberland Street into lower High Street and as far as Rattray Street.
Most of the houses on and near the banks of the Leith were invaded by water to a depth of three to four feet (0.91-1.22 m). Many of the residents were forced to move.
There was extensive erosion along the banks of The Leith. At the University, the bank was washed away for 150 yards or more, and the memorial walk and trees disappeared.
Great quantities of silt were deposition on both sides of the Leith. There was 6200 cubic yards (4740 cubic metres) removed.
Restricting the Leith was the cause of a great deal of the damage and flooding. The mouth of the stream had been narrowed, the tide backed up and water was backed up in sewers leading to severe flooding.
Whare Flat recorded 0.57 in (1.45 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 8am on the 19th.
Whare Flat recorded 9.41 in (23.90 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 8am on the 20th (which has a return period of over 150 years).
Whare Creek recorded 4.76 in (12.09 cm) of rain in 4.5 hours.
There were badly scoured roads. Whare Flat Road cost at least £500 ($43,100 2009 dollars) to repair.
A Williams Creek the bridge was endangered by scouring.
The annual maximum flood discharge of the Mataura River was 311 cumecs on the 21st.