NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
March 1949 Lower South Island Flooding
(
1949-03-17
)
90 years
Heavy rain caused flooding in Otago and Southland
Otago
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Duration: 3 days - Rain started at 6pm on the 17th and continued until the afternoon of the 19th
Queenstown recorded 6.4 in (16.3cm) over the 18th and 19th
Queenstown recorded 4.8 in (12.2cm) in one day (18/03/1949). This was a new record as the previous rainfall record in one day was 2.85 in (7.2cm) on 23/10/1942
Queenstown recorded 98.5mm in 15.5 hrs to 9.30am on the 19th (Return Period: 80 yrs)
Queenstown recorded 124.5mm in 24 hrs on the 18th (Return Period: 90 yrs)
A frontal band became slow moving over central South Island for a time, before being pushed southwards by a northwest flow. A deepening depression then moved south eastwards over Otago. Extreme rainfalls affected only a small area.
Flooding
Queenstown became isolated as all roads to it were blocked by slips and washouts
Houses and business premises flooded
Many slips reported
The main shopping area, including Ballarat St, was flooded when the town creek overflowed
Emergency call for help by fire siren
Ballarat St was sandbagged to divert water into lake
Flooding duration of the main shopping area was from 12pm until 6pm
The White Star Hotel damaged and the chemist shop was slightly damaged
The main street needed complete resealing and other streets has holes gouged in them from 1 ft - 18 in. deep (45 - 30cm)
Water supply failed on 20th and some was pumped from the lake
Power cut from 7pm - 11pm on 20th.
Lake Wakatipu rose 3 ft in 4 hrs on 19th morning
Lake Wakatipu rose 5 ft above normal overnight
Flooding
at
Glenorchy
Glenorchy residents claim weekend flood as worst they remember
Flooding
at
Cardrona River
Resident of 45 yrs claims Cardrona River flooding the worst experienced
Landslide
at
Nevis Bluff
Bad slip at Nevis Bluff on Queenstown-Cromwell highway blocked road
Flooding
at
Kawarau River
Kawarau River was a flood level on the 20th morning and was discoloured and debris-filled
Flooding
at
Shotover River
Shotover River was in its highest flood since 1863
Heavy Rain
at
Cromwell
Cromwell recorded 262 points of rain (9.2cm) during weekend
1 of heaviest downpours ever in district
Flooding
Roads considerably damaged
Roads from Cromwell to Tarras, Wanaka and Queenstown impassable on 19th
Slips on Cromwell-Queenstown Rd near Kawarau Gorge and near Gibbston
Wash Creek and Lowburn Creek temporarily impassable to traffic
Bad wash-out on Cromwell-Tarras Rd at Criffletown
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin Port
Ships held up 2 days by heavy rain and lack of work arriving in time
Heavy Rain
at
Alexandra
1.35 in (3.4cm) of rainfall in Alexandra over 18th-19th
Flooding
at
Clutha River
Clutha River rising at ~ 12 in/h (30cm/h) on 20th
River reached almost 26 ft (8m) (6 ft below record last yr)
Clutha River was a flood level on the 20th morning and was discoloured and debris-filled
Heavy Rain
at
Wye Creek
Electricity cut off due to heavy rain at Wye Creek
Flooding
Roads to Wye Creek impassable
Flooding
at
Crown Range
Numerous slips and washouts
Flooding
at
Lindis Valley
Numerous slips and washouts
Landslide
An impassable slip in Lindis Gorge was removed by hand by tourists
Flooding
at
Cattle Flat Station
Cattle Flat Station was extensively damaged with tons of silt and boulders washed down on sheds and crops
Flooding
at
Wanaka Station
Fences and irrigation races at Wanaka Station were damaged
Flooding
at
Wanaka
Road at Waterfall Creek badly scarred
Road to Glendhu impassable
Ballantyne's Bridge (along the main road to Wanaka) and Albert Town Bridge closed
Road to Cardrona impassable at least 5 days
Heavy Rain
at
Taieri Airport
At Taieri airport the incoming and outgoing air services stopped on 19th
Due to thick cloud 2 planes, arriving from Palmerston North and Auckland, had to turn back north
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin
In Dunedin a downpour occurred at 7pm on the 20th causing minor flooding in much of city
Flooding
at
Barnego
Break in flood bank occurred at the upper end of Barnego at 7pm
Flooding
at
Balclutha
Clutha River level at Balclutha peaked at 69 ft 6 in (21.2m) at 7pm on the 20th (normal was 60-61 ft)
Flooding
at
Lower Clutha
Total cost of November 1948 and March 1949 floods was a £28,100 estimate by an engineer ($1,831,517 2009 dollars)
March 1949 flood totalled to £600 ($39,107 2009 dollars)
Southland
Heavy Rain
at
Southland
Heavy rainfall in back country on the night of the 18th flooded rivers
Flooding
Record floods inundated 1000s of acres of farmland in many parts of Southland
Heavy crop damage was thousands of pounds (over $65,000 2009 dollars)
Roads were submerged and some bridges were made impassable resulting in interrupted traffic in many parts of Southland
On the main highway between Invercargill and Riverton the flood waters at Iron Bridge were greater than 3 ft (0.9m)
Valuable crops in Winton, Lochiel and Northope districts damage or destroyed
Stock Losses: None reported
Flooding
at
Northope
Oreti River broke its banks in several places on 20th, incuding above Lochiel bridge, quickly flooding into Northope district
Flooding
at
Oreti River
Lands on lower reaches of Oreti River were flooded to depths varying from inches to several feet
Flooding
at
Lumsden
At Lumsden the Oreti River had flooded to become 150 yards (137m) wide and was travelling at over 8 knots
Flooding
at
Eglinton Valley
Several bridges damaged in area
Flooding
at
Hollyford Valley
Several bridges damaged in area
Heavy Rain
at
Milford Sound
11.0 in (28cm) of rain fell in Milford Sound in 11 hours
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
1.23 in (3.1cm) of rain fell in Invercargill over 24 hours
0.52 in (1.3cm) of rain fell in Invercargill in 3 hours
Flooding
at
Mataura
Mataura River rose considerably and caused extensive flooding in the upper reaches
Peak discharge at Menzie Ferry was 16,667 cusecs (472 cumecs).
Mataura River overflowed its banks and blocked several roads
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand, 1920-53, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand,239p.
- NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Air Services: Disruption by Weather.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: At Balclutha: Water Under Control, No Flooding Reported.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Clutha River: Sharp Rise and Fall at Alexandra.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Crown Range Road Will Probably be Closed for Winter.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Extensive Damage: Heavy Rain in Otago, Wanaka May be Isolated.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Lake Still High, Roads Badly Scoured, Effects of Queenstown's Flood.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Land Inundated: Floods in Southland
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Property Damaged: Wanaka District.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Queenstown Isolated: All Roads Blocked by Slips.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Rivers at Flood Level.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Roads Impassable: Downpour at Cromwell.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Shipping Held Up: Weather Stops Work.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Tourists' Experience: Slip in Lindis Gorge.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Flood Damage: Cost of Repair Work.
- Otago Daily Times, 22 December 1949.
- The Southland Times, Invercargill, Monday, January 1, 1940 - Sturday, December 31, 1949, Special Souvenir Edition, A Century of News, p 16.
March 1949 Lower South Island Flooding
(
1949-03-17
)
90 years
Heavy rain caused flooding in Otago and Southland
Otago
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Duration: 3 days - Rain started at 6pm on the 17th and continued until the afternoon of the 19th
Queenstown recorded 6.4 in (16.3cm) over the 18th and 19th
Queenstown recorded 4.8 in (12.2cm) in one day (18/03/1949). This was a new record as the previous rainfall record in one day was 2.85 in (7.2cm) on 23/10/1942
Queenstown recorded 98.5mm in 15.5 hrs to 9.30am on the 19th (Return Period: 80 yrs)
Queenstown recorded 124.5mm in 24 hrs on the 18th (Return Period: 90 yrs)
A frontal band became slow moving over central South Island for a time, before being pushed southwards by a northwest flow. A deepening depression then moved south eastwards over Otago. Extreme rainfalls affected only a small area.
Flooding
Queenstown became isolated as all roads to it were blocked by slips and washouts
Houses and business premises flooded
Many slips reported
The main shopping area, including Ballarat St, was flooded when the town creek overflowed
Emergency call for help by fire siren
Ballarat St was sandbagged to divert water into lake
Flooding duration of the main shopping area was from 12pm until 6pm
The White Star Hotel damaged and the chemist shop was slightly damaged
The main street needed complete resealing and other streets has holes gouged in them from 1 ft - 18 in. deep (45 - 30cm)
Water supply failed on 20th and some was pumped from the lake
Power cut from 7pm - 11pm on 20th.
Lake Wakatipu rose 3 ft in 4 hrs on 19th morning
Lake Wakatipu rose 5 ft above normal overnight
Flooding
at
Glenorchy
Glenorchy residents claim weekend flood as worst they remember
Flooding
at
Cardrona River
Resident of 45 yrs claims Cardrona River flooding the worst experienced
Landslide
at
Nevis Bluff
Bad slip at Nevis Bluff on Queenstown-Cromwell highway blocked road
Flooding
at
Kawarau River
Kawarau River was a flood level on the 20th morning and was discoloured and debris-filled
Flooding
at
Shotover River
Shotover River was in its highest flood since 1863
Heavy Rain
at
Cromwell
Cromwell recorded 262 points of rain (9.2cm) during weekend
1 of heaviest downpours ever in district
Flooding
Roads considerably damaged
Roads from Cromwell to Tarras, Wanaka and Queenstown impassable on 19th
Slips on Cromwell-Queenstown Rd near Kawarau Gorge and near Gibbston
Wash Creek and Lowburn Creek temporarily impassable to traffic
Bad wash-out on Cromwell-Tarras Rd at Criffletown
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin Port
Ships held up 2 days by heavy rain and lack of work arriving in time
Heavy Rain
at
Alexandra
1.35 in (3.4cm) of rainfall in Alexandra over 18th-19th
Flooding
at
Clutha River
Clutha River rising at ~ 12 in/h (30cm/h) on 20th
River reached almost 26 ft (8m) (6 ft below record last yr)
Clutha River was a flood level on the 20th morning and was discoloured and debris-filled
Heavy Rain
at
Wye Creek
Electricity cut off due to heavy rain at Wye Creek
Flooding
Roads to Wye Creek impassable
Flooding
at
Crown Range
Numerous slips and washouts
Flooding
at
Lindis Valley
Numerous slips and washouts
Landslide
An impassable slip in Lindis Gorge was removed by hand by tourists
Flooding
at
Cattle Flat Station
Cattle Flat Station was extensively damaged with tons of silt and boulders washed down on sheds and crops
Flooding
at
Wanaka Station
Fences and irrigation races at Wanaka Station were damaged
Flooding
at
Wanaka
Road at Waterfall Creek badly scarred
Road to Glendhu impassable
Ballantyne's Bridge (along the main road to Wanaka) and Albert Town Bridge closed
Road to Cardrona impassable at least 5 days
Heavy Rain
at
Taieri Airport
At Taieri airport the incoming and outgoing air services stopped on 19th
Due to thick cloud 2 planes, arriving from Palmerston North and Auckland, had to turn back north
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin
In Dunedin a downpour occurred at 7pm on the 20th causing minor flooding in much of city
Flooding
at
Barnego
Break in flood bank occurred at the upper end of Barnego at 7pm
Flooding
at
Balclutha
Clutha River level at Balclutha peaked at 69 ft 6 in (21.2m) at 7pm on the 20th (normal was 60-61 ft)
Flooding
at
Lower Clutha
Total cost of November 1948 and March 1949 floods was a £28,100 estimate by an engineer ($1,831,517 2009 dollars)
March 1949 flood totalled to £600 ($39,107 2009 dollars)
Southland
Heavy Rain
at
Southland
Heavy rainfall in back country on the night of the 18th flooded rivers
Flooding
Record floods inundated 1000s of acres of farmland in many parts of Southland
Heavy crop damage was thousands of pounds (over $65,000 2009 dollars)
Roads were submerged and some bridges were made impassable resulting in interrupted traffic in many parts of Southland
On the main highway between Invercargill and Riverton the flood waters at Iron Bridge were greater than 3 ft (0.9m)
Valuable crops in Winton, Lochiel and Northope districts damage or destroyed
Stock Losses: None reported
Flooding
at
Northope
Oreti River broke its banks in several places on 20th, incuding above Lochiel bridge, quickly flooding into Northope district
Flooding
at
Oreti River
Lands on lower reaches of Oreti River were flooded to depths varying from inches to several feet
Flooding
at
Lumsden
At Lumsden the Oreti River had flooded to become 150 yards (137m) wide and was travelling at over 8 knots
Flooding
at
Eglinton Valley
Several bridges damaged in area
Flooding
at
Hollyford Valley
Several bridges damaged in area
Heavy Rain
at
Milford Sound
11.0 in (28cm) of rain fell in Milford Sound in 11 hours
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
1.23 in (3.1cm) of rain fell in Invercargill over 24 hours
0.52 in (1.3cm) of rain fell in Invercargill in 3 hours
Flooding
at
Mataura
Mataura River rose considerably and caused extensive flooding in the upper reaches
Peak discharge at Menzie Ferry was 16,667 cusecs (472 cumecs).
Mataura River overflowed its banks and blocked several roads
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand, 1920-53, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand,239p.
- NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Air Services: Disruption by Weather.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: At Balclutha: Water Under Control, No Flooding Reported.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Clutha River: Sharp Rise and Fall at Alexandra.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Crown Range Road Will Probably be Closed for Winter.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Extensive Damage: Heavy Rain in Otago, Wanaka May be Isolated.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Lake Still High, Roads Badly Scoured, Effects of Queenstown's Flood.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Land Inundated: Floods in Southland
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Property Damaged: Wanaka District.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Queenstown Isolated: All Roads Blocked by Slips.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Rivers at Flood Level.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Roads Impassable: Downpour at Cromwell.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Shipping Held Up: Weather Stops Work.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Tourists' Experience: Slip in Lindis Gorge.
- Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1949.
- Headline: Flood Damage: Cost of Repair Work.
- Otago Daily Times, 22 December 1949.
- The Southland Times, Invercargill, Monday, January 1, 1940 - Sturday, December 31, 1949, Special Souvenir Edition, A Century of News, p 16.