May_2009_Lower_North_Island_and_South_Island_Snow May 2009 Lower North Island and South Island Snow 2009-05-30 Moderate Snow fell to low levels in parts of the central and lower North Island and the South Island. Hail and strong southerly winds were also experienced. A teenager died while hunting in the snow in Canterbury. In the Waikato, four people died and three were injured in a car crash in poor weather conditions. From the 30th May to the 1st June. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:27 pm 29-May-2009: Wintry spell on Sunday with snow to sea level from Southland to the Kaikoura coast and to low levels on the hills in the south of east of the North Island. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, hills of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, also inland areas of southern, eastern and central parts of the North Island. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:59 pm 29-May-2009: Wintry spell on Sunday with snow down to sea level from Southland to the Kaikoura coast. Snow down to unusually low levels over the North Island with heavy falls expected in the south and east. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, also hills and ranges of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wanganui, Taihape, Taranaki and Taupo. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:09 am 30-May-2009: Very cold southerly outbreak over New Zealand on Sunday. Snow down to sea level from Southland to the Kaikoura coast. Snow down to unusually low levels over the North Island with some heavy falls expected in the south and east. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, also hills and ranges of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wanganui, Taihape, Taranaki and Taupo. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:41 pm 30-May-2009: Very cold southerly outbreak over New Zealand on Sunday. Snow down to sea level from Southland to the Kaikoura coast. Snow down to unusually low levels over the North Island with some heavy falls in the south and east. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, also the hills and ranges of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wanganui, Taihape, Taupo and Taranaki. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:02 am 31-May-2009: Very cold southerly outbreak over New Zealand today. Snow down to near sea level from Southland to Kaikoura coast. Snow down to unusually low levels over the North Island with some heavy falls in the south and east. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, also the hills and ranges of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wanganui, Taihape, Taupo and Taranaki. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 5:02 pm 31-May-2009: Very cold southerly outbreak over New Zealand today. Snow down to near sea level in the east of the South Island. Snow down to unusually low levels over the North Island with some heavy falls in the east. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: Canterbury, Marlborough, also the hills and ranges of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wanganui, Taihape, Taupo and Taranaki. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for Southland, Otago and South Canterbury. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:26 pm 31-May-2009: Very cold southerly outbreak over New Zealand slowly easing overnight and Monday morning. Further heavy snow possible about the hills and ranges from Wellington and Wairarapa up to Gisborne. Includes HEAVY SNOW WARNING for: hills and ranges of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for Mid and North Canterbury, Marlborough, also the hills and ranges of Manawatu, Wanganui, Taihape, Taupo and Taranaki. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 6:58 am 01-Jun-2009: Cold southerly flow and showers in the east of the North Island easing slowly today with snow levels rising. No further heavy snow expected. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Snowfall Warnings lifted for hills and ranges of Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. A strong southerly flow moved up the country, coming from almost on the ice caps. State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupo was closed north of Te Pohue for an hour from about 8pm on the 31st due to snow and ice. The road was able to reopen after calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) was used to de-ice the road. State Highway 2 was closed from the start of the Waioeka Gorge to 9 km south of Matawai on the night of the 31st due to snow, slips and a fallen tree. The road was re-opened at about 12:15pm on the 1st. Snow fell on the Kaimai Range on 1st June. Strong southerlies and snow showers battered the South Island on the 30th and 31st. Snow fell from Southland to Kaikoura on the 31st. State Highway 7 through the Lewis Pass was closed to towing vehicles. Several trees were brought down by bad weather in Auckland on the 31st. The Coastguard Northern Region received a record number of calls on the 31st, for incidents including capsized yachts, people in the water, shredded sails and vessels on the rocks. -36.831068 174.743854 Waitemata Harbour recorded winds of nearly 50 knots (93 km/hr) on the 31st. -38.523405 175.366672 Four people, a 29-year-old man, a 30-year-old woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 61-year-old woman, were killed on the 31st after two cars collided on State Highway 30, 11km east of Benneydale, at about 2pm. Bad weather conditions were believed to be a major factor in the crash, with heavy rain and mist present at the time. Poor weather also prevented air ambulances from Rotorua and Taupo from flying to the scene. A 63-year-old man incloved in the accident had to undergo surgery for his injuries. A four-year-old boy and his 10-year-old brother were also taken to hospital with injuries described as life-threatening. -37.096559 175.696394 Snow fell on the Coromandel Range on 1st June. -38.356439 177.53729 More than 20 cm of snow blanketed Matawai from about 5pm on the 31st. At Matawai, the hotel, coffee lounge, bar, dairy, camping ground and community hall were closed because of the snow on 1st June. -38.359584 177.445845 Some vehicles got stuck in the snow on Traffords Hill at the end of the gorge. On the 31st, snow was reported in Hawke's Bay from Wairoa in the north through to Dannevirke. Hawke's Bay recorded temperatures of around 1 degC and 2 degC on 1st June. -39.91554 176.818506 Snow was reported at Elsthorpe. -39.673179 176.882039 Snow was reported at the Triple Peaks in Havelock North. -39.306444 176.808684 Snow was reported at Kaiwaka. -39.502426 176.892804 Light snow flurries were reported in central Napier at about 8:30pm and 10pm on the 31st. A Napier Hill resident of 23 years said she had never experienced snow there before. Napier recorded a temperature of 4 degC on the 31st, with a wind chill of around 0 degC to -2 degC. -39.701987 176.909923 Snow fell as low as Te Mata Peak (399 m) on the 31st. -39.940581 176.600338 At Waipawa, light snow flurries started around mid-afternoon on the 31st, with heavier falls from 4:30pm that continued into the night. Light snow coated the hills leading out to the coast near Waipawa on the morning of the 1st. -39.999445 176.562423 Police reported blizzard-like conditions between Norsewood and Waipukurau on the 31st. -39.041861 177.423248 Snow was reported at Wairoa. -39.625486 174.363237 The Tangahoe Bridge on State Highway 3 was closed to heavy vehicles on 1st June. -39.163073 174.187246 Sleet fell in Inglewood on the 31st. -39.051214 174.06972 Two 17-year-old girls had to be rescued after they started drifting out to sea in a kayak off East End beach on the 31st. The weather conditions were atrocious, with howling southerlies. -39.343721 174.267614 Sleet fell in Stratford on the 31st. -38.997709 174.384059 A car lost control and crashed at Urenui on a road with black ice. -39.30009 175.73859 The Desert Road (State Highway 1) between Waiouru and Rangipo was closed on the morning of the 1st due to heavy ice on parts of the road. Fog on the Desert Road made driving conditions difficult on the evening of the 1st. Visibility fell to just metres around the summit of the road. The Desert Road recorded a minimum temperature of -4 degC on the 1st. -40.070333 176.220649 Light snow flurries fell at Norsewood from about 1:30pm on the 31st, followed by a heavy fall for an hour from 4pm. Most of the ground was covered in about 5 cm of snow. -40.355525 175.616438 Light snow fell in Palmerston North on 1st June. -39.466728 175.685937 Waiouru recorded a temperature of 0 degC at lunchtime on the 31st. Waiouru experienced snow flurries on the 31st. Wellington experiened bitterly cold winds, showers and hail. Snow dusted the hills around Wellington on the 31st and fell to sea level along the south coast. Snowfalls were also reported on the Kapiti Coast. Wellington had southerly gales gusting close to 120 km/hr on the 31st. Heavy hail fell around Wellington mid afternoon on the 31st. -41.222057 174.79585 Snow fell in gutters and on hilltops around Johnsonville and Whitby. Falls were also reported on the Kapiti Coast. -41.287365 174.736134 Snow fell in gutters and on hilltops around Karori. -41.247302 174.79415 Snow fell in gutters and on hilltops around Khandallah. -41.216677 174.934068 Hail fell at Lower Hutt on the 31st. -40.964296 175.667649 Some parts of Masterton received a light fall of snow on the 31st. Masterton Airport recorded a minimum temperature of 0 degC early on the 31st. Masterton Airport recorded a maximum temperature of 7 degC on the 31st. -40.751506 175.596369 Paddocks and hills surrounding State Highway 2 at Mount Bruce were coated in snow. -41.141089 174.818671 Snow was reported at Porirua. -41.119029 175.230172 There was snow and ice on the Rimutaka Hill Road on State Highway 2. Rimutaka Hill had about 10 cm of snow on the night of the 31st. At the top of the Rimutaka Hill, a temperature of 1 degC was recorded at midday on the 31st. -41.139372 175.055716 Snow was reported at Upper Hutt. -41.28855 174.776764 Wellington recorded a temperature of 3.7 degC at lunchtime on the 31st, with a wind chill of -5 degC. Wellington recorded a minimum temperature of 3.5 degC on the 31st. Wellington's CBD experienced snow flurries on the 31st - the first in 14 years. -41.113346 174.891747 Snow fell in gutters and on hilltops around Whitby. -41.517124 173.949021 Snow flurries were reported in Blenheim on the 31st. Blenheim recorded a minimum temperature of -4.5 degC overnight on the 31st/1st. Blenheim recorded a temperature of -4 degC at 8am on the 1st. -42.085266 173.252655 Molesworth Station received 7-10 cm of snow on the 31st. -41.652044 174.020613 The Mt Adde farm in the Awatere Valley received a thick coating of snow on the 31st. -41.295063 174.011495 Snow flurries were reported in Picton on the 31st. -41.558739 173.980195 Wither Hills received a fall of snow mid-afternoon on the 31st. Snow settled to about 200m around Canterbury on the 31st. Northern Canterbury recorded 5-10 cm of snow on the 31st. -42.943869 171.566812 Arthur's Pass recorded a minimum temperature of -5.8 degC on the 1st. -43.53112 172.636147 Christchurch recorded a temperature of 2 degC at 12pm on the 31st, with a wind chill of -6 degC. Christchurch recorded a maximum temperature of 5 degC on the 31st. Hail and sleet fell in Christchurch on the 31st. -42.402255 173.685685 Kaikoura recorded a maximum temperature of 4 degC on the 31st. -43.495213 171.524135 Mount Hutt Skifield opened on the 30th - its earliest opening in 15 years. Mount Hutt Skifield was closed for the day on the 31st due to gale force winds and poor visibility. Mount Hutt Skifield received 5-10 cm of snow overnight on the 30th/31st. -43.846424 171.156692 An 18-year-old boy died after apparently slipping on snow and tumbling down a 200m slope while hunting in The Blue Slips area, near Mt Peel, on the afternoon of the 31st. His body was found at 5:30pm. -43.296138 172.188342 At Oxford, blizzard conditions were reported on the 31st, with moderate snow falls and high winds. -43.334894 171.921445 Springfield had about 8 cm of snow on the ground on the 31st. -44.398445 171.2552 Timaru recorded a maximum temperature of 6 degC on the 31st. Eastern Otago recorded 5-10 cm of snow on the 31st. -45.87911 170.502707 Dunedin recorded a maximum temperature of 7 degC on the 31st. Headline: North Islanders will be treated to more bitterly cold weather. Reference www.3news.co.nz, Source: RadioLIVE, 31 May 2009, 10:13am. Headline: Cold blast expected over next 12 hours. Reference www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 31 May 2009, 5:12pm. Headline: De-icing keeps Napier-Taupo Highway open. Reference www.3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 1 June 2009, 8:39pm. Headline: Teenager dies hunting in South Canterbury. Reference www.3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 2 June 2009, 9:43am. Headline: Winter hits early with heavy snow. Reference www.hbtoday.co.nz, 1 June 2009. Headline: 'Frosty, settled' weather ahead. Reference www.hbtoday.co.nz, Source: Roger Maroney, 2 June 2009. Headline: Queen's Birthday Weekend chill forecast. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 May 2009, 12:36pm. Headline: Polar weather for holiday. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 30 May 2009, 10:20am. Headline: Weather blamed for crash that kills four. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 30 May 2009, 5:12pm. Headline: Winds and poor visibility close Mt Hutt today. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 31 May 2009, 8:20am. Headline: Cold snap moves up country. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 31 May 2009, 8:32am. Headline: Cold snap moves north. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 31 May 2009, 5:08pm. Headline: Weather factor in crash. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 31 May 2009, 6:12pm. Headline: Desert Road closed. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 1 June 2009, 2:08pm. Headline: Wintry blast moves up NZ, bringing bitter cold. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: Alice Neville, NZ Herald staff and WeatherWatch, 31 May 2009, 1:16pm. Headline: Weather adds to grim toll. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: Isaac Davison, 2 June 2009, 4:00am. Headline: Winter's icy chill sign of things to come. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: Isaac Davison and Alanah May Eriksen, 2 June 2009, 4:00am. Headline: Young man dies in fall while hunting tahr alone. Reference www.odt.co.nz, 3 June 2009, 5:00am. Headline: North Island motorists warned of severe weather conditions. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 31 May, 5:08pm. Headline: Dangerous roads as icy blast heads north. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 31 May, 9:40pm. Headline: Fog blanketing part of Desert Road. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 1 June 2009, 6:13pm. Headline: Four killed in car crash. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 30 May 2009, 3:22pm. Headline: Cold snap hits south, moves north. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Chris Schulz, 31 May 2009, 4:26pm. Headline: Wintry conditions close roads. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 1 June 2009, 9:14am. Headline: Alpine blasts go downtown. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, Kay Blundell, 1 June 2009, 6:00am. Headline: White stuff heralds the coming of winter. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, Jo Gilbert and Fairfax, 1 June 2009, 1:13pm. Headline: Perfect early opening to ski season. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, Paul Gorman, 1 June 2009, 6:00am. Headline: Teenagers lucky to be alive: Howling gales push their kayak offshore. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, Glenn McLean, 1 June 2009, 6:00am. Headline: Hundreds hit slopes for big weekend. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, Glenn McLean, 2 June 2009, 5:00am. Headline: It's official, winter is here. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, Fairfax, 2 June 2009, 5:00am. Headline: 'Unusual' chill set to ease. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Timaru Herald, Al Williams and Fairfax, 1 June 2009, 6:00am. Headline: Death at Mt Peel. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Timaru Herald, 2 June 2009, 5:00am. Headline: Helpers at crash praised. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Waikato Times, Belinda Feek, 1 June 2009, 1:03pm. Headline: Warning for boaties to check forecast. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: Newstalk ZB, 31 May 2009, 9:26pm. Headline: Wintry blast coats some Masterton streets with snow. Reference www.times-age.co.nz, Source: Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 2009. MetService Email Lists Reference August_2008_Canterbury_Flooding_and_North_Island_Landslides August 2008 Canterbury Flooding and North Island Landslides 2008-08-24 Moderate Heavy rain from the 24th caused landslides and flooding around North Canterbury and Marlborough and landslides in parts of the North Island. From the 24th till the 27th of August. Insurance claims for the storm total $0.8 million. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 10:43 am 23-Aug-2008: Heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, also Nelson and Marlborough including the Kaikoura coast. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Bay of Plenty, the ranges of northwest Nelson, also the ranges of Marlborough including the Taylor catchment and the Kaikoura coast. MetService SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 1:50 pm Saturday 23 August 2008 for: Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Gisborne. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:03 pm 23-Aug-2008: Heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, also Nelson and Marlborough including the Kaikoura coast. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Bay of Plenty, the ranges of northwest Nelson, also the ranges of Marlborough including the Taylor catchment and the Kaikoura coast. MetService SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 07:07 am Sunday 24 August 2008 for: Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Gisborne. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:25 am 24-Aug-2008: Heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, also Nelson and Marlborough including Kaikoura coast. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Bay of Plenty, the ranges of northwest Nelson, also the ranges of Marlborough including the Sounds, the Taylor catchment and the Kaikoura coast. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:01 am 24-Aug-2008: Heavy rain for Bay of Plenty, also Nelson and Marlborough including Kaikoura coast. Rain warning now extended southwards into North Canterbury. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury north of Banks Peninsula, including the Kaikoura coast, the ranges of Marlborough and Nelson including the Taylor catchment and the Sounds, also Bay of Plenty. MetService SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 1:30 pm Sunday 24 August 2008 for: Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Gisborne. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:45 pm 24-Aug-2008: Heavy rain eases for North Island but continues over Marlborough and Canterbury. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury north of Banks Peninsula, including the Kaikoura coast, the eastern ranges of Marlborough including the Taylor catchment. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warning lifted for Bay of Plenty and the ranges of northwest Nelson. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:39 am 25-Aug-2008: Heavy rain expected over Kaikoura coast and North Canterbury today and tomorrow. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury north of Banks Peninsula including the Kaikoura coast. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warning lifted for the eastern ranges of Marlborough, including the Sounds and the Taylor catchment. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:02 pm 25-Aug-2008: Further heavy rain from North Canterbury to eastern Marlborough continuing through much of Tuesday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury northwards from Rangiora to the Kaikoura coast and the eastern hills of Marlborough including the Taylor catchment. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warning lifted for the eastern ranges of Marlborough, including the Sounds and the Taylor catchment. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:02 pm 25-Aug-2008: Heavy rain from North Canterbury to eastern Marlborough easing late Tuesday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Canterbury northwards from Rangiora to the Kaikoura coast and the eastern hills of Marlborough including the Taylor catchment. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warning lifted for the eastern ranges of Marlborough, including the Sounds and the Taylor catchment. MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:02 pm 25-Aug-2008: Rain has now eased in eastern Marlborough and North Canterbury. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warning lifted for North Canterbury and eastern Marlborough. A succession of low pressure systems moved out to the east, dragging in blustery southeasteries and driving a succession of wet patches into Marlborough and beyond. On the 24th, a deepening low that had developed in the western Tasman Sea was close enough to bring stormy weather to New Zealand. On the 25th, the low remained slow moving over the North Island, while a stationary front combined with a moist east to south-east flow to bring rain to North Canterbury and Marlborough. On the 27th, the low moved slowly to the east of the North Island, bringing heavy rain to the Wellington region until the 28th. -35.387846 173.942029 Overflow from Lake Owhareiti near Pakaraka was eroding a valley through farmland, which was about six metres wide and 50 metres long, and flooding a private road to Lakeland subdivision, off Ludbrook Rd. The Northland Regional Council needed about $50,000 to lay pipes for a water outlet at the lake. In Auckland, 32 mm (3.2 cm) of rain fell in 24 hours on the 24th, bringing flooding. Strong winds damaged the roof of an Auckland fire station on the 24th. Three months of almost non-stop rain had caused about 200 slips in the greater Auckland region from June to August. From July to the end of August, a total of 46 slips had been reported in Waitakere. More than $1.8million was required to restore essential infrastructure in Waitakere which was damaged by land slips in the heavy winter storms. -37.008447 174.782053 Fog disrupted a number of flights at Auckland Airport on the morning of the 25th. Domestic flights were postponed from about 6am until 8:15am. -36.95241 175.161895 The Clevedon-Kawakawa Road - the main road into Kawakawa Bay - was closed on the 24th as a big slip on Turei Hill moved further. The slip had come down at the beginning of the month and partially blocked the road and another 500 cubic metres of earth came down on to the road at the weekend after heavy rain. The slip moved about another 45 mm over 12 hours on the 29th. 1,500 local people were forced to use a longer alternative route, travelling an extra 100km, or catch a free ferry to Pine Harbour, adding at least an hour to their journey to Auckland. The road was reopened to a single lane on the 26th September, with traffic lights to control the flow of vehicles. Six properties at Kawakawa Bay were deemed unsafe due to the risk of another landslip happening at any time. Owners of the property at the top of the slip voluntarily evacuated on the 24th. On the 29th, residents of five properties at the bottom of the slip were asked to evacuate by Manukau City Council. On the 3rd October, residents of the five houses below the slip were allowed to return to their homes. Students who normally went to school in Clevedon used a room at Orere School and were taught by their usual teacher. Businesses in the Kawakawa and Clevedon areas lost work due to loss of through traffic. -36.834738 174.625655 Henderson Creek flooded onto properties on the 24th. -36.876567 174.799415 A thunderstorm caused flash flooding in Remuera on the afternoon of the 24th on Ngapuhi Road and Upland Road. The damage wasn't widespread, but one house required pumping. -36.844628 174.741393 Three homes in Ring Terrace, St Marys Bay, were evacuated on the night of the 25th after a slip came down adjacent to the northern Harbour Bridge on ramp, bringing a tree crashing down into a reserve. The residents were back in their homes on the 26th. The home behind the tree had cracks forming in the side of the building. -36.75786 174.71165 A significant landslip came down in Unsworth Heights on the night of the 25th. An estimated 60,000 tonnes of dirt came down a steep gully. Five properties were affected on Albany Highway. Two properties were deemed as "high risk". Four houses were evacuated in Unsworth Heights on the night of the 25th. A water supply tank was destroyed in the slip. -38.582794 175.217127 In lower Waikato, SH4 was down to one lane for 100 metres near Mapiu on the 24th. -38.076394 175.117162 On SH31 there were two slips, about two kilometres apart, in the eastbound lane near Ngutunui on the 24th, and there was no alternative sealed route. -38.259868 175.114207 One lane on SH37 at Waitomo was closed on the 24th due to a drop out. -37.890508 178.310264 SH35 from Tikitiki to Ruatoria was down to one lane on the 24th, due to a slip 6km north of Ruatoria. -39.64746 176.619961 A lightning strike on the 25th also wrought damage to a Maraekakaho vineyard on Aorangi Road. Posts were shattered apart and four sheep were killed. -40.212104 176.095139 23 mm (2.3 cm) of rain was recorded in Dannevirke in the 24 hours up to 5pm on the 26th. -40.39233 175.306775 There was flooding on the intersection of State Highways 1 and 56 at Himatangi on the 24th. At a property on the corner of SH1 at Himatangi, recent continuous wet weather lifted the concrete floor of the business, surrounded the house with water and overflowed the septic tank, leaving them unable to flush the toilet. Surface flooding swamped paddocks and roads throughout the region, with the worst hit area being southern Wairarapa. Farmers in the midst of early lambing suffered losses as newborns succumbed to the driving rain and the effects of wind chill. -41.292273 174.883144 Marine Drive in Eastbourne was flooded on the 26th, in some places knee-deep across both lanes. A house in Sunshine Bay, Eastbourne, was evacuated around 5:30am on the 29th after it was badly damaged by a slip. Part of the house was destroyed when a rock the size of a washing machine came crashing into the house, bringing 10 cubic metres of dirt and debris with it. Some debris from the landslide fell on to Marine Drive below, which was down to one lane. Police asked residents of Eastbourne to stay at home for the day. -41.290129 174.76188 About 32 mm (3.2 cm) of rain was recorded in Kelburn on the 27th. -41.2171 175.436864 SH53 between Featherston and Martinborough was closed on the morning of the 27th due to the Waihenga Bridge being affected by high rainfall and flooding. Pukio West Rd and Pahautea roads were also impassable on the 27th. The Ruamahanga River reached a level of 4.2 m at Waihenga Bridge on the morning of the 26th. -40.964296 175.667649 In Masterton, torrential rain over 36 hours put pressure on the town's sewerage system. Two families were put in motels on the night of the 26th as sewerage overflow threatened to contaminate their homes and eight other homes in the Masterton area were supplied with portable toilets till conditions eased. Several stretches of roading throughout the town were affected by surface flooding, including the Upper Plain area and streets at the foot of Lansdowne hill. At one home up to 70 mm (7 cm) of water covered the road outside the property on the night of the 25th and sandbags saved the home from flooding. A Westbush Road farm was flooded with a kilometre of water early on the 26th when a roadside drain flooded over. 55 mm (5.5 cm) of rain was recorded in Masterton in the 24 hours up to 5pm on the 26th. -41.252052 174.778168 Minor slips were reported in Ngaio Gorge. -41.58683 175.235276 33 mm (3.3 cm) of rain was recorded in Ngawi in the 24 hours up to 5pm on the 26th. -41.23076 174.871845 There was a landslip on SH2 at the Petone overbridge on the 25th, which closed the road from the intersection of The Esplanade to all traffic from 8:15pm until about midnight. -41.119029 175.230172 A slip came down on the Rimutaka Hill Road (SH2) around 1.45pm on the 26th after constant rain on the night of the 25th and that morning. The southbound lane on the Featherston side of the hill was blocked as rocks the size of rugby balls came down. -41.263866 174.771325 Oban St in Wadestown was closed just after 11am on the 27th when a slip slammed a big manuka tree down across the road and ruptured a gas main. A resident who lives in a house above the slip lost the gas supply to her home. -41.329538 174.805351 Fog rolling in off the sea forced the cancellation of flights in and out of Wellington Airport on the afternoon of the 25th. Almost 30 domestic and international flights were cancelled or diverted from just before 3pm until late afternoon. Hundreds of passengers were stranded. Heavy rain overnight on the 24th caused surface flooding on SH1 between Christchurch and Blenheim. SH1 was closed from Seddon to Cheviot on the 26th and between Ward and Cheviot on the 27th by up to 30 slips and washouts. The Main North railway line from Christchurch to Picton was closed due to slips and flooding north and south of Kaikoura. 40,000 tonnes of debris still covered the main trunk line on the 27th. Ritchies' Intercity buses were not running on the morning of the 26th. Several North Canterbury schools sent pupils home early on the 25th in case floodwater prevented them getting home. By 9am on the 26th, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Picton and Seddon were bearing the brunt of the rain. 24 mm (2.4 cm) of rain fell in Marlborough in 24 hours from 9am on the 23rd to 9am on the 25th, with most of the rain falling on the morning of the 24th and overnight to the 25th. Two days of torrential rain flooded farms all the way from Blenheim to Picton. Repairs to Marlborough roads following the August floods were estimated to cost $1.9 million. Damage to the State Highway network within Marlborough, particularly to the south, left a bill of more than $600,000. -41.835174 173.736922 The farmer of Awapiri Station in the Awatere Valley said he had not seen so much rain in about 40 years. Awapiri Station received 90 mm (9 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 7am on the 26th. -41.517124 173.949021 Campers at Blenheim Bridge Top Ten Holiday Park were moved to higher ground. Three houses in Blenheim were evacuated from the suburbs of Redwoodtown and Fairhall overnight on the 25th because of flooding. In Blenheim there was surface flooding in low-lying parts of the town. A number of low-lying vineyards surrounding Blenheim were also affected by flooding. As a man crested the top of the Hammerichs Rd stopbank in his car, the car slid into the swollen Opawa River which was rushing across the road. He managed to get out but the car was filled with water and the motor covered with weed and debris and the man's laptop and cellphone were water-logged. A man drove past warning signs and into fast-flowing water on Old Renwick Rd on the the night of the 27th. His four-wheel drive was left partially submerged in a flooded hole. -40.926223 173.849713 Sissy Bay Rd in the French Pass had a very muddy and slippery surface, making it near impassable for two-wheel drive vehicles. -41.813308 173.84139 The worst affected roading was in the Medway Valley. Repair of the valley road and the bridge that leads to it was likely to cost close to $700,000, with $300,000 needed to fix the Medway Bridge alone. -41.373589 173.936788 All the paddocks in the Para Swamp area were completely covered with water. -41.295063 174.011495 23 people staying at Alexanders Holiday Park in Canterbury St were evacuated around 9pm on the 25th because of rising river levels. They spent the night at Queen Charlotte College. Parts of the Picton township flooded. There was also surface flooding south of Picton. Queen Charlotte Drive was closed due to numerous and severe slips. Queen Charlotte Drive suffered damage totalling $396,100 after August's storm. -41.335499 174.119054 A power pylon tower at Port Underwood was monitored after one of its four legs had slumped after heavy rain. -41.510409 173.826128 Lack of repairs to the Omaka River near Renwick after the last storm had left residents vulnerable to further flooding. On the morning of the 26th, about two more metres of one property had fallen into the river. -41.38234 173.853216 A Waikakaho Valley farmer said there had not been as much rain in a 24 hour period since 1995. -41.880203 174.032621 The Ure (Waima) River rose quickly on the night of the 25th, sweeping away three power poles and hundreds of metres of the lower Ure Valley Road. Properties south of the area were left without power. The river not only broke its banks but also created new ones during the downpour. The flood was described as the worst in 30 years. Thousands of dollars worth of property was damaged, with paddocks, fences, firewood and power poles swept away in the flood. One family was isolated, without power and also struck down with the flu. Repairs to roading in the Ure Valley were expected to cost $253,000. -41.589255 174.043624 SH1 at Weld Pass just south of Blenheim was closed at about 9am on the 26th after a massive slip, but reopened to one lane later in the day. -42.451212 171.206779 A man was walking on rocks at the Blaketown tiphead when a rogue wave washed him into the mouth of the Grey River where he was battered by high seas. He was rescued and taken to hospital badly shaken and suffering a number of cuts and abrasions to his body. There were several landslides on SH1 around the Cheviot and Kaikoura areas after heavy overnight rain on the 24th. The highway was closed all day on the 26th by several giant slips. The Hurunui and Waimakariri district councils activated their emergency operations centres on the morning of the 25th. A front stalled in the area over Kaikoura and North Canterbury on the 25th. Some residents in the Kaikoura District were without power on the 26th. Canterbury farmers faced 20 per cent damage to farm pastures after a wet winter. Some farmers had springs surface in pastures for the first time in 40 years and ponding for the first time in their memory. North Canterbury received 50 mm (5 cm) of rain over 24 hours from the 24th to the 25th - the entire normal August rainfall. More than 400 mm (40 cm) of rain fell inland of Kaikoura over a few days. There was flooding on SH7 from Waipara to the Hanmer Springs turnoff on the 25th. Flood damage to roads and bridges in the Hurunui District in the past month (August) was expected to cost $3 million. Infrastructure costs such as replacing culverts and hiring specialist equipment to clean up the flood damage could add $100,000 to the bill, and opening and closing the lagoons to the sea at Leithfield and Amberley beaches could cost up to $50,000. The floods carved away large areas of paddocks, flattened fences, washed out culverts and floodgates and left debris on paddocks and in fences on farms from Amberley to the Conway River. There is some flooding to rural properties in the Selwyn District. -43.153786 172.731841 Amberley recorded more than 100 mm (10 cm) of rain over two days from the 25th. Amberley Primary School was shut after a creek at the back of the Lawcocks Rd school rose 12 cm in just half an hour and began to threaten the proeprty. Four Amberley homes were flooded by Dock Creek. The floods had financially hit one farm, the Amberley Golf Course (cut off to allow lagoon water to escape to the sea) and two quarries. One of the quarries expected to be out of action for three months. The Hurunui District Council was blamed for the flood damage in the Amberley area, for failing to clean drains and open lagoons to the sea earlier. -43.168751 172.78404 Amberley Beach Lagoon had a channel opened to the sea on the night of the 25th to allow floodwaters to escape. A preschool in Amberley Beach closed due to concerns about the flooding. -43.73644 173.024672 There were a number of minor slips around Banks Peninsula and roads were down to one lane in some of the bays. -42.815812 173.265245 Cheviot recorded about 150 mm (15 cm) over two days from the 25th. Cheviot and other parts of the Hurunui distirct had their water supply cut when a 10-m stretch of the main pipe to the water reservoir was washed away in the flooded Leamington River. Locals were asked to conserve and boil water and at least 500 people were without water. Farmland near Cheviot was underwater, just weeks after the last big flood. Flooding and land slips from heavy rain caused road closures around Cheviot from the 25th. -42.392661 173.43114 The rising Kahutara River washed out the inland road into Mt Lyford Ski Field and the Clarence Reserve, with only one small triangle of tarmac remaining. -43.696266 172.413114 Roads around Coe’s Ford were closed on the 26th and the Selwyn district’s fords were also closed. -43.314016 172.384732 There was a lot of flooding in the Cust Valley. -42.863164 173.220164 Flooding and land slips from heavy rain caused road closures around Domett from the 25th. -43.413786 172.546094 A farmer lost up to 100 dairy cows when the swollen Eyre River washed out an approach to the bridge they were crossing near Eyreton at about 4am on the 26th. 28 other cows managed to survive the river. The farmer said the weather was the worst and the river the highest he had seen in the nine years they had owned the farm. -43.810121 171.656919 In the Greenstreet area, creeks and streams were bank to bank and paddocks were covered by sheets of water. Dairy farmers were forced to juggle meeting the nutritional needs of stock against rapidly diminishing feed supplies. -42.525185 172.834432 SH7A was closed by a massive slip on the Hanmer Springs side of the Waiau Ferry Bridge, leaving Hanmer Springs inaccessible. The road was opened for 10-minute periods for three hours on the night of the 26th to let motorists through, but was closed on the 27th. At the 4th September only one lane was open. The main trunk railway line near the town was also shut. Hanmer Forest recorded 135 mm (13.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours - a new record. -42.319105 173.738785 A boil water notice was sent out for part of Hapuku. -42.92039 172.642851 The Greta Valley School and Hurunui College at Hawarden were closed because flooding and slips on rural roads. -42.901096 173.135196 At 8.30pm on the 25th, the Hurunui River was flowing at 900 cumecs but was not endangering any settlements. -42.36028 173.423035 Two trampers were rescued by helicopter from the Kaikoura Ranges on the morning of the 28th, after setting off an emergency beacon at 7pm on the 27th when they were cut off by rising levels of the Kahutara River. -42.402255 173.685685 Kaikoura was isolated from the rest of the South Island after flooding and slips closed SH1 on the 25th. A huge rock blocked traffic on SH1 near Iron Bridge north of the town. The road through to Christchurch from Kaikoura opened at 4.30pm on the 28th with a single lane in a lot of places. The cleanup bill for the stretch of highway north and south of Kaikoura was estimated to reach $2 million. Kaikoura was plagued by small slips and surface flooding. All schools in the Kaikoura area were closed on the 26th. The fire brigade pumped water from a basement on Kaka Rd on the morning of the 26th and prevented water from flooding another house on the night of the 25th. The Kaikoura weather station recorded 54.4 mm (5.4 cm) of rain in 17 hours between 4pm on the 24th and 9am on the 25th. 29.8 mm (3.0 cm) of rain fell at the Kaikoura weather station in six hours between midnight and 6am on the 25th. Kaikoura recorded 94 mm (9.4 cm) of rain on the 25th. Kaikoura recorded 158 mm (15.8 cm) of rain from the 25th until 9am on the 26th. 200 mm (20 cm) of rain fell on Kaikoura in two days - four times the average monthly fall for the time of year. More than 300 mm (30 cm) of rain was recorded in Kaikoura over a few days. Kaikoura received 126 mm (12.6 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 26th. This was its second highest 24 hour August rainfall since 1898. Several huge trees fell down, one across Torquay St, because the ground was so saturated. Three houses on Torquay St were evacuated when trees threatened to topple onto them, although only one house was occupied at the time. The slip of three weeks ago on the Main North railway line at Billy Goat Bay, south of Kaikoura, was reactivated by heavy rain in the area, closing the railway line from the 25th. 10km north of Kaikoura, surface flooding on SH1 hampered traffic on the 25th. -42.003758 174.009837 About 800m north of the Kekerengu overbridge there was a slip blocking the northbound lane of SH1. -43.192998 172.756272 The Kowai River burst its banks. -42.366344 173.583931 The Kowhai River breached its banks and flooded paddocks inland of Kaikoura. -43.206053 172.757449 Leithfield Beach Lagoon had a channel opened to the sea on the 25th to allow floodwaters to escape. -43.247194 172.52948 Roadside drainage ditches and creeks were fill to overflowing again, spilling over in the Loburn-Okuku areas. -42.942328 173.246164 A road bridge in the Blythes Valley at Napenape was swept away. -42.514792 173.508007 A slip near Oaro took out SH1. -43.018985 172.852053 The small farming community of Omihi experienced some 450 mm (45 cm) of rain in the last month, about half its average annual rainfall. An Omihi farmer estimated he had lost a kilometre of fencing and had 20 or 30 hectares of pasture potentially damaged by the floodwaters. Water levels rose to the height of fenceposts. -43.296138 172.188342 Oxford received 138.5 mm (12.9 cm) of rain in two days. -42.427962 173.59421 There was a slip on SH1 near Peketa on the morning of the 25th. A farmer near Peketa who never used to be able to see the Kahutara River from his paddocks had hundreds of square metres of prime pastoral land covered by the river. Authorities offered to evacuate the residents of Peketa on the 26th after the Kahutara River breached its banks around lunchtime, but only about 10 houses were evacuated. The Kahutara River made a meal of the bridge approach inland from Peteka. A number of families were trapped on the other side of the bridge. A boil water notice was sent out for Peketa. -43.310007 172.570781 Roadside drainage ditches and creeks were fill to overflowing again, spilling over on the entrance to Rangiora at Lineside Rd where paddocks had just begun to emerge after being under water for several weeks. A swollen creek between Oxford Road and Johns Road forced five homes to be sandbagged. -43.24541 172.660632 Surface flooding on rural roads and farmland was particularly severe around Sefton on the 25th. A house was threatened as a creek spilt over its banks and rushed around the back of houses on the main road. A bund made up of water bladders was used to direct the water from the house, down the driveway and across Upper Sefton Road to farmland. -43.628143 172.166558 The Selwyn River peaked at 46 cumecs. -43.379712 172.471687 Several homes in Swannanoa were sandbagged on the 25th to stop them being flooded by creeks that burst their banks. -42.6518 173.046278 The Mason River, north-east of Waiau township, burst its banks, putting part of Chaffeys Road under water and isolating several houses. The water was up to 4 m deep on Chaffeys Road. At 8.30pm on the 25th, the Waiau River was running at 500 cumecs, threatening the Waiau township. Headline: Heavy rain returns to Auckland. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 24 August 2008, 7:02pm. Headline: Fog disrupts small plane flights at Auckland Airport. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 25 August 2008, 8:42am. Headline: North Canterbury flood emergency centres activated. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 25 August 2008, 12:28pm. Headline: Civil Defence on high alert following heavy rain in Canterbury. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 25 August 2008, 7:18pm. Headline: Residents evacuated following slip. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 25 August 2008, 9:16pm. Headline: Floods, slips close railway lines, evacuate houses. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August 2008, 9:05am. Headline: Rainy weather causing slips across Auckland region. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 26 August 2008, 6:39pm. Headline: Slips and flooding cause chaos in upper South Island. Reference 3news.co.nz, 26 August 2008, 6:41pm. Headline: Another huge clean-up starts after South Island flooding. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 27 August 2008, 7:57am. Headline: Cleanup begins after torrential rain and floods. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 27 August 2008, 6:24pm. Headline: Helicopter called in to flush away Kawakawa Bay landslip. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 16 September 2008, 7:36pm. Headline: Trucks begin to remove material from base of Kawakawa Bay slip. Reference 3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 17 September 2008, 7:35am. Headline: 'Calving season from hell'. Reference www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz, 27 August 2008. Headline: Dramatic surf rescue. Reference www.greystar.co.nz, 26 August 2008. Headline: Twins kept man's hopes alive in Grey River drama. Reference www.greystar.co.nz, 27 August 2008. Headline: Bay hit from above, below. Reference www.hbtoday.co.nz, 27 August 2008. Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.). (2008). Climate summary for Winter 2008. Newsletter 114, September 2008. 9-10 Reference Headline: Manawatu highway flooding. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 August 2008, 4:24pm. Headline: Slip diverts 1,500 people. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 August 2008, 4:32pm. Headline: Remuera flooding. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 August 2008, 6:29pm. Headline: Overnight rain causes problems on roads. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 8:12am. Headline: Fog lifts and Auck Airport clearing backlog. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 9:32am. Headline: North Canterbury on rain alert. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 12:00pm. Headline: Fog delays Wellington flights. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 4:00pm. Headline: Wellington Airport fog could last till tomorrow. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 5:04pm. Headline: Three homes evacuated by Auckland slip. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 5:36pm. Headline: Rain causes more problems. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 10:36pm. Headline: North Canterbury on standby. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 26 August 2008, 5:28am. Headline: Evacuations in Picton. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 26 August 2008, 10:12am. Headline: Rain eases in Marlborough. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 26 August 2008, 11:52am. Headline: Slips, floods, closures in winter's last hurrah. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 26 August 2008, 2:52pm. Headline: Two die in collision. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 26 August 2008, 10:32pm. Headline: Slips and flooding isolate Kaikoura. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 27 August 2008, 6:08am. Headline: House damaged by slip evacuated. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 August 2008, 7:16am. Headline: Houses deemed unsafe. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 August 2008, 9:40am. Headline: Engineer inspecting slip. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 August 2008, 10:32am. Headline: Six Kawakawa Bay houses unsafe. Reference www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 29 August 2008, 3:05pm. Headline: To be flood-free, they face footing bill. Reference www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 18 September 2008. Headline: Canterbury prepares for floods after rain warning. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 25 August, 12:21pm. Headline: Slips and floods close roads, rail lines. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August, 9:11am. Headline: Houses evacuated, livestock killed, roads shut in big wet. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August, 5:50pm. Headline: Repeat flooding adds insult to injury. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 27 August, 4:00am. Headline: Three minutes to quit when slip hits. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 27 August, 4:00am. Headline: Major land slip still not safe. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 30 August, 10:17am. Headline: Residents see homes slip sliding... Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 31 August, 4:00am. Headline: Landslide victims pray for sun. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 31 August, 12:40pm. Headline: Cut-off residents battling to cope. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 10 September, 4:00am. Headline: Stranded residents breathe sigh of relief. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 25 September, 4:00am. Headline: Heavy rain to continue. Reference www.odt.co.nz, Source: Otago Daily Times, 25 August 2008, 6:43pm. Headline: Huge clean-up starts after flooding. Reference www.odt.co.nz, Source: Otago Daily Times, 27 August 2008, 7:38am. Headline: Slips cause problems on several North Island roads. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 24 August 2008, 8:33pm. Headline: More rain forecast. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 25 August 2008, 12:34pm. Headline: Clean-up begins as flooding leaves trail of destruction. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 27 August 2008, 12:17pm. Headline: Residents told to stay home after Eastbourne slip. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 29 August 2008, 8:41am. Headline: Buckled pylon to be inspected. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 31 August 2008, 8:42am. Headline: Coastal road open again. Reference www.radionz.co.nz, 26 September 2008, 12:34pm. Headline: Slip closes road into Kawakawa Bay. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Manukau City Council, 25 August, 8:41am. Headline: Northern access to Kawakawa Bay remains closed. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Manukau City Council, 25 August, 5:09pm. Headline: Kaikoura and Hurunui District Updates. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Civil Defence Emergency Management, 25 August, 5:17pm. Headline: Canterbury Civil Defence Update 26/08/08 11.20 am. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Civil Defence Emergency Management, 26 August, 11:42am. Headline: More Kawakawa Bay properties at risk from landslip. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Manukau City Council, 29 August, 2:54pm. Headline: Road blocked by landslip could reopen soon. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Manukau City Council, 11 September, 9:32am. Headline: Plans for removing landslip being finalised. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Manukau City Council, 12 September, 10:18am. Headline: Kawakawa Bay road open. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Manukau City Council, 26 September, 5:07pm. Headline: Kawakawa Bay residents to move back home. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Manukau City Council, 3 October, 4:59pm. Headline: Storms cost millions. Reference www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Waitakere City Council, 30 October, 4:08pm. Headline: Slip closes major road south of Auckland. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 24 August 2008. Headline: Wild weather creates landslip strife. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 25 August 2008. Headline: Flooding, slips cause havoc around NZ. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August 2008. Headline: Man saved from Grey River. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August 2008. Headline: Farmer forced to watch as flood washes cows away. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August 2008. Headline: Three houses at Kawakawa Bay unsafe after landslip. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 28 August 2008. Headline: More houses at risk in Auckland slip. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 29 August 2008. Headline: Anxious wait as Kawakawa slip looms. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 30 August 2008. Headline: Manukau drops water to dislodge slip. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 16 September 2008. Headline: Slip closes Rimutaka Hill road. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 26 August 2008. Headline: 'Bit of a nosey' proves a lifesaver. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 27 August 2008. Headline: More heavy rain takes its toll. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 27 August 2008. Headline: Sewerage drives families from their homes. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 27 August 2008. Headline: Deluge hits rivers, roads and sewerage. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 28 August 2008. Headline: Large boulder in 'imminent danger' of falling. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post and NZPA, 29 August 2008. Headline: Couple leave house to mercy of slip. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post and NZPA, 30 August 2008. Headline: Water damage wreaks havoc. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Feilding Herald, 29 August 2008. Headline: Another slip closes rail line. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 25 August 2008. Headline: Kaikoura isolated by slips, flooding. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 26 August 2008. Headline: Here we go again. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 26 August 2008. Headline: Man escapes torrent - but car doesn't. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 26 August 2008. Headline: Being right no comfort as river claims more vineyard. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 26 August 2008. Headline: Farmers fear stock losses but welcome rain. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 27 August 2008. Headline: Emergency help choppered in as Ure residents endure floods, illness. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 28 August 2008. Headline: Man drives car into flooded hole on Old Renwick Rd. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 28 August 2008. Headline: Roadwork to cost $3.2m. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Marlborough Express, 8 Octobert 2008. Headline: More land gives way. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: North Harbour News, 29 August 2008. Headline: More land gives way. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: North Shore Times, 28 August 2008. Headline: Neighbours rally after slip. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Papakura Courier, 2 September 2008. Headline: Kawakawa Bay gets one-lane connection. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Papakura Courier, 1 October 2008. Headline: Civil Defence issues North Canterbury alert. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 25 August 2008. Headline: Coastal towns bear brunt of deluge. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 26 August 2008, 1:45pm. Headline: Flood clean-up begins - again. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 27 August 2008, 9:20am. Headline: Trampers rescued near Kaikoura. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 28 August 2008, 9:20am. Headline: $3m flood bill expected in Canterbury. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 28 August 2008. Headline: Council blamed for flooding damage. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 29 August 2008. Headline: Farmer angry at council's flood response. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 30 August 2008. Headline: Farmer calls help 'payback time'. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 4 September 2008. Headline: Pasture damage costly. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 19 September 2008. Headline: Waiting game continues at Kawakawa Bay land slip. Reference www.times.co.nz, Source: Howick and Pakuranga Times, 28 August 2008. Headline: Home saved from flooding by sandbags. Reference www.times-age.co.nz, Source: Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 2008. Headline: Deer farm floods every year. Reference www.times-age.co.nz, Source: Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 2008. Headline: Rain lashes parts of south again. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: Newstalk ZB, 25 August 2008, 10:44pm. Headline: Rain causes havoc in Nth Canterbury. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 26 August 2008, 6:34am. Headline: Auckland landslip to be examined. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 26 August 2008, 6:55am. Headline: Heavy rain causes slips in Kaikoura. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 26 August 2008, 6:26pm. Headline: Rain eases after upper Sth Is floods. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 26 August 2008, 10:45pm. Headline: Clean-up starts after Sth Is floods. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 27 August 2008, 6:45am. Headline: Kaikoura braces for massive cleanup. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 27 August 2008, 6:45am. Headline: Slip demolishes part of house. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: NZPA and Newstalk ZB, 29 August 2008, 8:05am. Headline: Heavy rain threatens pylon tower. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 30 August 2008, 7:11pm. Headline: Kawakawa residents angry at coucil. Reference tvnz.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 11 September 2008, 1:36pm. MetService Email Lists Reference Reference Insurance Council of New Zealand (www.icnz.org.nz/current/weather) October_2007_Lower_North_Island_and_South_Island_Storm October 2007 Lower North Island and South Island Storm 2007-10-07 Moderate Lower North Island and the South Island were hit with high winds and heavy rain causing flooding. Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit central areas of New Zealand, along with northwesterly gales, from the 7th to the 9th of October. Many rivers were at high flood levels. The frontal system became slow moving over the North Island through to the 8th. On the 9th, a low formed in northern Tasman Sea, pushing moist air back down onto North Island in a northerly flow. The low then moved to west of central New Zealand, where it remained until the 12th and then it moved away to the south-east. -40.02418 176.34425 Hail was reported on the Takapau Plains on the 11th. Horowhenua and Manawatu had torrential rain on the 7th. Gales caused some damage about Wellington and Wairarapa during the day on the 7th. Gusts of up to 150 km/hr whipped Beacon Hill and the top of the Rimutakas on the 7th. Police advised extreme caution to motorists. The Fire Service attended more than 12 jobs involving trees blown onto roads in the Wairarapa. -41.216677 174.934068 Lower Hutt recorded 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in six hours to 11am on the 8th. The rainfall at Lower Hutt peaked at 33 mm (3.30 cm) of rain an hour. Parts of Block Road, between State Highway 2 and Pharazyn Street, were closed. Hutt River was in flood. There was surface flooding in the Hutt Valley on the 7th. A man's kayak got stuck under logs on the flooded Hutt River before he was thrown out on the 11th. He scrambled ashore and was rescued on the morning of the 12th. Police scrambled to get people to move their cars from carparks and roads when Hutt River flooded on the 8th. -40.903116 175.33038 Heavy rain on the 7th about the Tararuas pushed rivers to flood levels. -41.139372 175.055716 On State Highway 2 between Upper Hutt and Petone, water on the road reached up to 30 cm deep. -41.28855 174.776764 A fierce thunder and lightning storm lashed Wellington at 7pm on the 7th. There was no damage reported. From the 7th to the 11th of October. A frontal system approached the South Island from the west in early hours of the 7th, rapidly increasing the northwesterly flow preceding it. Cloud cover and an onshore flow supressed maximum temperatures in the northeast of the South Island. There was heavy rain about and on the west of the mountains in northern South Island the rivers were pushed to flood levels. MetService issued a Heavy Rain Warning to Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury on the 10th. Motorists were warned to be wary of flooding in alpine areas on the 8th. Rock falls were reported on some roads. Gales caused some damage about Marlborough on the day of the 7th. Persistent rain caused widespread slips across north Marlborough. There were numerous slips on roads in Marlborough sounds, including the Mahakipawa Hill on the Queen Charlotte, Port Underwood Road and Croisilles-French Pass Road. All roads were open but restricted to one lane in some areas. A "drop-out" on Northbank Road, where part of the road had subsided, took a significant amount of work to fix. -41.672521 173.995712 Awatere recorded 7.5 mm (0.75 cm) of rain in eight hours to 8am on the 11th. Awatere River received 39 mm (3.90 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 10th. -41.517124 173.949021 In Blenheim the maximum temperature was 11 degrees Celcius on the 10th. Blenheim recorded 43 mm (4.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 10th. -41.48226 173.97247 Grovetown recorded 8.5 mm (0.85 cm) of rain in eight hours to 8am on the 11th. -41.45833 173.69978 Onamalutu recorded 12.5 mm (1.25 cm) of rain in eight hours to 8am on the 11th. -41.45981 173.96435 The downpour at Spring Creek eased overnight on the 10th. On the morning of the 11th, at Spring Creek, Gouland Road was entirely blocked by a fallen tree at the intersection with Frederick Street. -41.180614 173.644989 Tunakino recorded 106 mm (10.6 cm) of rain on the 12th. -41.702753 173.490321 Waihopai recorded 36.5 mm (3.65 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 10th. Waihopai recorded 5.5 mm (0.55 cm) of rain in eight hours to 8am on the 11th. Approaches to several bridges on the Waihopai Valley Road were washed out on the 6th and 7th, trapping a motorist. -41.509671 173.865652 Low cloud stopped a flight from landing at Blenheim Airport before 9am on the 10th. Cloud was starting to lift just before 10am. River levels on the 7th, were swollen by days of heavy rain. -41.83432 171.68813 Police received reports that the Buller River was rising rapidly. -41.750212 171.582563 Fire Service were called out for lifted roofs in Westport. Gales caused some damage in Canterbury overnight of the 7th and in the early morning. Storm-force north-westerly winds gusted up to 148 km/hr. Winds caused chaos across Canterbury before dawn on the 7th, cutting power to thousands of homes, lifting roofs and toppled irrigators. Winds eased off in most parts of Canterbury through the day, although Kaikoura took a pounding on 7th afternoon. Fire Service were called out for lifted roofs in Lincoln and Oxford. Orion New Zealand received arounf 50 call-outs to power cuts across the region. Most were caused by trees being blown across power lines. Most of the outages lasted approximately 2 hours and the main areas affected were Darfield, Annat and Brookside, with 2000 customers losing power. The first calls were received 3:46am. -43.73644 173.024672 Banks Peninsula appeared to be hardest hit by the windstorm, which came after several days of blustery conditions. A Le Bons Bay man lost quarter of his roof and an entire shed that was under construction in winds at 8:00am on the 7th. One man's description of wind was that "It was an unusual wind, like mini tornadoes. Instead of blowing past, it was more like it was blowing up - a sucking wind". They were the worst winds he' experienced in the seven years he'd lived in the area. Le Bons Bay bore the worst fo the winds between 7:00am and 8:00am, with a mean speed of 104 km/hr. The peak gusts at Le Bons Bay was 148 km/hr. -44.089883 170.655807 Winds sent a campervan off the road near Burke Pass. -43.53112 172.636147 In Christchurch, the strongest gusts of 94 km/hr were recorded between 5:00am and 6:00am on the 7th. -42.402255 173.685685 In Kaikoura, the maximum temperature was 11 degrees Celcius on the 10th. Strong winds rocked the Mackenzie Country on the 7th. -43.734653 170.103918 Wind gusts of up to 160 km/hr were recorded around Mt Cook on the 7th. -43.597954 172.374428 One power cut near Rolleston was caused by a shed being blown through power lines. About one metre (100 cm) of rain had fallen on Southern Alps over the last week. -42.6518 173.046278 There was a flood in the Waiau River and it overflowed on the 8th after days of rainfall. The Waiau township had to be temporarily evacuated. -44.94506 168.91875 Heavy snow blanketed the Crown Range on the 7th. -45.041441 168.645105 Rain caused slips near Glenorchy and on the Devil's Staircase road. A rockfall blocked one lane of the main road between Queenstown and Glenorchy for two hours on the morning of the 7th. State Highway 94 was closed between Te Anau and Milford early on the 8th due to an avalanche hazard. Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 111, December 2007. Reference Headline: Missing kayaker found after night out. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 12 October 2007. Headline: Flood warning for upper North Island, landslips likely. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, 9 October 2007. Headline: Police warn motorists as floodwaters close roads. Reference www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 8 October 2007. Headline: Huge nor'westerly gusts cause havoc. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 8 October 2007. Headline: Wild nor-westers 'just a taste of things to come'. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 8 October 2007. Headline: Bad weather stops planes and causes slips. Reference www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 11 October 2007.