NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
August-September 1909 Waikato and Northland Flooding
(
1909-08-27
)
30 years
Heavy rain caused flooding in Northland and Waikato on the 29th of August. Less than a week later, further heavy rain in the Paeroa area resulted in another flood.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Dargaville
Exceptionally high tides, accentuated by a big flood, inundated the Wairoa River townships on the night of the 2nd.
Flooding
Dargaville storekeepers suffered to the extent of £250 ($37,500 2010 dollars), and those in the lower township to the extent of £100 ($15,000 2010 dollars).
It was the biggest flood experienced for 30 years.
Flooding
at
Wairoa River
A heavy downpour in the Northern Wairoa resulted in a flood on the Kaihu railway on the 30th. A few washouts occurred on the line. On the 30th the train could only proceed to Muka, as the line beyond that point was submerged.
The low-lying flats were flooded to a depth of several feet.
On the Okahu and Karaka Roads, serious washouts occurred, which stopped traffic, and on other routes similar damage was done in many but minor instances.
The lower Wairoa flats were more or less inundated. The oldest settlers did not recollect a flood higher than this.
There was no damage of note or loss of stock reported.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
On the 31st there was a strong wind and heavy showers fell throughout the day. A strong westerly gale blew all day on the 1st and there were frequent drenching downpours.
High Wind / Gust
In a few instances window panes were blown in, but no serious damage was reported.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Manukau Harbour
On the 1st there were very rough condition in the harbour. According to the local manager to the Northern Company it was the worse he had seen in his 29 years experience.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Waitemata Harbour
A big sea was running in the harbour on the 1st.
Waikato
High Wind / Gust
at
Waikato
A strong gale raged throughout the Waikato district on the 29th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cambridge
Several trees were blown down on the 29th.
At the stockyards, the wind unroofed the shelter races and sheds to a large extent. The damage was estimated at £20-30 ($3000-4500 2010 dollars).
High Wind / Gust
at
Hamilton
Many signboards and other loose impediments were blown down on the 29th.
Flooding
at
Huntly
Waikato River rose 5 ft (1.52 m) at Huntly and was still rising on the 1st.
Flooding
at
Karangahake
There was a big washout on the road alongside the river near Doherty's Creek.
Landslide
at
Komata
Slips occurred at Komata, above the township, on the Talisman Road at Karangahake and in various parts of the main road.
Landslide
at
Mackaytown
There was a large slip on the Paeroa-Waihi railway line at Mackaytown. It was cleared by the 30th.
Flooding
at
Mercer
The low-lying lands were flooded.
Flooding
at
Netherton
Netherton suffered severely from the flood and the whole district was practically under water on the 1st of September.
A large amount of damage was done to the land and stock suffered in the wet conditions.
Even after the rain, ceased the flood increased at Netherton, and the water was still rising on the afternoon of the 1st.
Further rain on the 4th and 5th of September resulted in more flooding in the area. The backing up of the Waihou River from the Junction caused the Waihou water to flow across the country and round the back of Netherton. Owing to the flat nature of the country there was no high place to take the cattle to. They either had to stand for days in the water or were turned out onto the road where there was very little to eat.
The silting up of the river by mining tailings was considered by the Netherton people to be the main cause of the flooding trouble.
Multi Hazard
at
Paeroa
Duration: 10 days - Stormy weather was experienced on the night of the 27th until the morning of the 29th. The wind rose to hurricane force and was accompanied by heavy rain. More heavy rain occurred on the 4th and 5th of September, falling on already saturated ground, resulting in more flooding within the township and the surrounding areas.
Considerable damage was caused to the County roads and there were numerous slips and washouts on the roads.
High Wind / Gust
The wind did not cause much damage on the 28th. A few fences and outhouses were blown over, and in some cases sheets of iron were blown off. A stable was crumpled up and the wind blew away a verandah. Down at the racecourse the judge's box was blown over, the ticket office was swept away and the stables were also blown over.
During the gale on the 4th, the back portion of the Criterion Theatre was nearly blown in by the force of the wind, and had to be strengthened to prevent it being blown over.
Flooding
Water collected in large amounts in the lower portions of the township and the river rose rapidly.
The river was running bank high and came over the bank to a small extent.
In the main road there was a considerable quantity of water, caused by the drains backing up but it did not enter any permises.
The railway station area was covered by water. The recreation ground was covered by dirty flood water. The bowling green was submerged.
Down Puke Road the flood was at its worst and the road was almost totally covered for an extent. Four residences were flooded.
The bottom of Flora Street was under water, and from Puke Road to the Junction Road, there was an unbroken sheet of water. Along Junction Road there was flooding, as well as in the visinity of Rye Lane.
Vehicles were unable to get from Paeroa to Netherton due to flooding.
Some paddocks alongside Te Aroha Road were severely flooded.
The train service was disorganised owing to several washouts on the railway line between Paeroa and Te Aroha, with the most damage being near Mangaiti. This was repaired by the 30th.
Although the river was not as high as some previous floods, it still rose several feet, and was nearly up to the level of the railway bridge, and not far short of the decking of the traffic bridge during the flooding on the 29th of August.
Part of the Paeroa-Waihi railway line was under water between Waihi and Waikino on the 6th. On the Paeroa-Te Aroha line there was a big washout, and the line was covered with water for some distance.
Heavy Rain
at
Waihi
There was a great storm on the 4th and 5th of September. Waihi recorded over 6 in (15.24 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Flooding
The rivers were flooded.
Flooding
at
Waikato River
The Waikato River was rising rapidly on the 1st of September, being only an inch or two from the banks.
Gisborne
Flooding
at
Gisborne
Heavy rain fell on the 5th and all rivers were in a flooded state.
Flooding
at
Waiapu River
The quantity and the force of the flood water being emitted from the Waiapu River ws evidenced by the large area of sea that was discoloured by the outflow on the 2nd. It was estimated when the steamer 'Moura' passed on the 1st that the discoloured flood water extended for seven miles from the land, and the 'Moura' steamed through it for a distance of three or four miles.
Tasman-Nelson
Flooding
at
Motueka
A serious flood was experienced at Motueka on the 31st of September.
Heavy rain caused the Motueka River to break its banks.
Hundreds of pounds worth of damage was done to the protective works at Wakarewa.
Marlborough
Heavy Rain
at
Blenheim
Blenheim recorded 1.337 (3.40 cm) in of rain on the 31st of September.
References
- Headline: Flood at Netherton.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 1 September 1909.
- Headline: Slips and Wash-outs.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 1 September 1909.
- Headline: Storm and Flood, High wind and heavy rain
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 30 August 1909.
- Headline: Another flood.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 6 September 1909.
- Headline: After the flood.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 8 September 1909.
- Headline: A Great Storm, rivers flooded.
- paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Evening Post, 6 September 1909, Page 7.
- Headline: Rain and Gale.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 September 1909.
- Headline: Boisterous weather, Rough on the west coast.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 September 1909.
- Headline: Big flood at Dargaville.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 September 1909.
August-September 1909 Waikato and Northland Flooding
(
1909-08-27
)
30 years
Heavy rain caused flooding in Northland and Waikato on the 29th of August. Less than a week later, further heavy rain in the Paeroa area resulted in another flood.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Dargaville
Exceptionally high tides, accentuated by a big flood, inundated the Wairoa River townships on the night of the 2nd.
Flooding
Dargaville storekeepers suffered to the extent of £250 ($37,500 2010 dollars), and those in the lower township to the extent of £100 ($15,000 2010 dollars).
It was the biggest flood experienced for 30 years.
Flooding
at
Wairoa River
A heavy downpour in the Northern Wairoa resulted in a flood on the Kaihu railway on the 30th. A few washouts occurred on the line. On the 30th the train could only proceed to Muka, as the line beyond that point was submerged.
The low-lying flats were flooded to a depth of several feet.
On the Okahu and Karaka Roads, serious washouts occurred, which stopped traffic, and on other routes similar damage was done in many but minor instances.
The lower Wairoa flats were more or less inundated. The oldest settlers did not recollect a flood higher than this.
There was no damage of note or loss of stock reported.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
On the 31st there was a strong wind and heavy showers fell throughout the day. A strong westerly gale blew all day on the 1st and there were frequent drenching downpours.
High Wind / Gust
In a few instances window panes were blown in, but no serious damage was reported.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Manukau Harbour
On the 1st there were very rough condition in the harbour. According to the local manager to the Northern Company it was the worse he had seen in his 29 years experience.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Waitemata Harbour
A big sea was running in the harbour on the 1st.
Waikato
High Wind / Gust
at
Waikato
A strong gale raged throughout the Waikato district on the 29th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cambridge
Several trees were blown down on the 29th.
At the stockyards, the wind unroofed the shelter races and sheds to a large extent. The damage was estimated at £20-30 ($3000-4500 2010 dollars).
High Wind / Gust
at
Hamilton
Many signboards and other loose impediments were blown down on the 29th.
Flooding
at
Huntly
Waikato River rose 5 ft (1.52 m) at Huntly and was still rising on the 1st.
Flooding
at
Karangahake
There was a big washout on the road alongside the river near Doherty's Creek.
Landslide
at
Komata
Slips occurred at Komata, above the township, on the Talisman Road at Karangahake and in various parts of the main road.
Landslide
at
Mackaytown
There was a large slip on the Paeroa-Waihi railway line at Mackaytown. It was cleared by the 30th.
Flooding
at
Mercer
The low-lying lands were flooded.
Flooding
at
Netherton
Netherton suffered severely from the flood and the whole district was practically under water on the 1st of September.
A large amount of damage was done to the land and stock suffered in the wet conditions.
Even after the rain, ceased the flood increased at Netherton, and the water was still rising on the afternoon of the 1st.
Further rain on the 4th and 5th of September resulted in more flooding in the area. The backing up of the Waihou River from the Junction caused the Waihou water to flow across the country and round the back of Netherton. Owing to the flat nature of the country there was no high place to take the cattle to. They either had to stand for days in the water or were turned out onto the road where there was very little to eat.
The silting up of the river by mining tailings was considered by the Netherton people to be the main cause of the flooding trouble.
Multi Hazard
at
Paeroa
Duration: 10 days - Stormy weather was experienced on the night of the 27th until the morning of the 29th. The wind rose to hurricane force and was accompanied by heavy rain. More heavy rain occurred on the 4th and 5th of September, falling on already saturated ground, resulting in more flooding within the township and the surrounding areas.
Considerable damage was caused to the County roads and there were numerous slips and washouts on the roads.
High Wind / Gust
The wind did not cause much damage on the 28th. A few fences and outhouses were blown over, and in some cases sheets of iron were blown off. A stable was crumpled up and the wind blew away a verandah. Down at the racecourse the judge's box was blown over, the ticket office was swept away and the stables were also blown over.
During the gale on the 4th, the back portion of the Criterion Theatre was nearly blown in by the force of the wind, and had to be strengthened to prevent it being blown over.
Flooding
Water collected in large amounts in the lower portions of the township and the river rose rapidly.
The river was running bank high and came over the bank to a small extent.
In the main road there was a considerable quantity of water, caused by the drains backing up but it did not enter any permises.
The railway station area was covered by water. The recreation ground was covered by dirty flood water. The bowling green was submerged.
Down Puke Road the flood was at its worst and the road was almost totally covered for an extent. Four residences were flooded.
The bottom of Flora Street was under water, and from Puke Road to the Junction Road, there was an unbroken sheet of water. Along Junction Road there was flooding, as well as in the visinity of Rye Lane.
Vehicles were unable to get from Paeroa to Netherton due to flooding.
Some paddocks alongside Te Aroha Road were severely flooded.
The train service was disorganised owing to several washouts on the railway line between Paeroa and Te Aroha, with the most damage being near Mangaiti. This was repaired by the 30th.
Although the river was not as high as some previous floods, it still rose several feet, and was nearly up to the level of the railway bridge, and not far short of the decking of the traffic bridge during the flooding on the 29th of August.
Part of the Paeroa-Waihi railway line was under water between Waihi and Waikino on the 6th. On the Paeroa-Te Aroha line there was a big washout, and the line was covered with water for some distance.
Heavy Rain
at
Waihi
There was a great storm on the 4th and 5th of September. Waihi recorded over 6 in (15.24 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Flooding
The rivers were flooded.
Flooding
at
Waikato River
The Waikato River was rising rapidly on the 1st of September, being only an inch or two from the banks.
Gisborne
Flooding
at
Gisborne
Heavy rain fell on the 5th and all rivers were in a flooded state.
Flooding
at
Waiapu River
The quantity and the force of the flood water being emitted from the Waiapu River ws evidenced by the large area of sea that was discoloured by the outflow on the 2nd. It was estimated when the steamer 'Moura' passed on the 1st that the discoloured flood water extended for seven miles from the land, and the 'Moura' steamed through it for a distance of three or four miles.
Tasman-Nelson
Flooding
at
Motueka
A serious flood was experienced at Motueka on the 31st of September.
Heavy rain caused the Motueka River to break its banks.
Hundreds of pounds worth of damage was done to the protective works at Wakarewa.
Marlborough
Heavy Rain
at
Blenheim
Blenheim recorded 1.337 (3.40 cm) in of rain on the 31st of September.
References
- Headline: Flood at Netherton.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 1 September 1909.
- Headline: Slips and Wash-outs.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 1 September 1909.
- Headline: Storm and Flood, High wind and heavy rain
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 30 August 1909.
- Headline: Another flood.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 6 September 1909.
- Headline: After the flood.
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 8 September 1909.
- Headline: A Great Storm, rivers flooded.
- paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, Source: Evening Post, 6 September 1909, Page 7.
- Headline: Rain and Gale.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 September 1909.
- Headline: Boisterous weather, Rough on the west coast.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 September 1909.
- Headline: Big flood at Dargaville.
- The New Zealand Herald, 3 September 1909.