NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
August 2006 North Island Storm
(
2006-08-05
)
Heavy rain, flooding and landslides occurred in many parts of the North Island, along with high winds in the upper North Island. Roads were closed and some residents near Wanganui were isolated. Heavy rain and surface flooding also occurred in Christchurch.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 4 days - From the 5th to the 8th of August.
Weather forecast for New Zealand on the 5th: "A deepening low is expected to move over the eastern Tasman Sea tomorrow and then become slow-moving overnight. An associated front, preceded by a very strong and wet northeasterly flow, should move onto Northland later. It's expected to cross northern and central parts of the country on Monday. The low is forecast to move northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday with southerlies spreading north over New Zealand."
The MertService issued a severe weather warning for northern parts of the South Island on the 7th.
On the 6th, a low pressure system moved onto the North Island.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
Heavy rain pounded the top half of the North Island on the 6th and 7th.
Multi Hazard
The police received 15 reports overnight on the 6th/7th of slips and flooding restricting traffic flow.
Flooding
Flooding affected State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range between Matamata and Tauranga.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
The bad weather contributed to road accidents in Northland.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 43 mm (4.3 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 7pm on the 6th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kawakawa
The southbound lane of State Highway 1 between Moerewa and Kawakawa was cut off by fallen trees and debris.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Kerikeri Airport recorded 110 mm (11.0 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 7pm on the 6th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mangamuka Gorge
Traffic was held up on State Highway 1 through Mangamuka Gorge on the 6th when a tree fell across the road.
Flooding
at
Maungaturoto
Parts of Maungaturoto were affected by extensive surface flooding on the 6th.
Landslide
at
Ruakaka
Doctors Hil Road was blocked by a slip on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Whakapara
Flood waters covered farmland at Whakapara.
Flooding
at
Whananaki
Parts of Whananaki North were affected by extensive surface flooding on the 6th.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei Airport recorded 87 mm (8.7 cm) of rain in the 48 hurs to 7pm on the 6th.
Auckland
High Wind / Gust
at
Cuthill
Traffic lights on Upper Harbour Drive were not working on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Dairy Flat
Sunnyside Road and Green Road at Dairy Flat were impassable on the 6th due to flooding.
Landslide
at
Devonport
A house in Devonport was threatened by a slip.
Multi Hazard
at
Glenfield
Traffic lights at the Glenfield Road-Sunset Road intersection were not working on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Tomarata
A car was partially submerged in flood waters in a ditch after aquaplaning off Tomarata Valley Road just after 3am on the 6th. The family, including two young children, escaped out the back door and were rescued by tractor.
The water was estimated to be head height in places.
Flooding
at
Waiteitei
Extensive surface flooding occurred on Waiteitei Road on the 6th.
A family were trapped in their ute for four hours between two flooded stretches of Waiteitei Road from around 5am on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Wellsford
Surface flooding occurred in Wellsford on the 6th.
A heavy downpour led to a car being washed into a drain at Wellsford.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
Heavy rain caused flooding and slips in the Thames-Coromandel district and north Waikato on the 6th.
High Wind / Gust
Debris covered half of the 309 Road between between Whitianga and Thames on the 6th.
Landslide
at
Karangahake Gorge
Large rocks came down on State Highway 2 in Karangahake Gorge, blocking one lane.
Landslide
at
Otorohanga
The northbound lane of State Highway 3 south of Otorohanga was blocked by a slip on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Rotowaro
Flooding affected Rotowaro Road on the 6th.
Multi Hazard
at
Whitianga
Police urged that only 4WD motorists should attempt to drive on State Highway 25 near Whitianga.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
Heavy rain lashed coastal Bay of Plenty areas overnight on the 6th/7th.
Flooding
There was considerable surface flooding in the lower Kaituna area and the Rangitikei Plains.
Several highways in the Bay of Plenty were under water on the 7th.
At 8am on the 7th, all rivers were receding except for the Whakatane River.
Landslide
A landslip closed State Highway 33 at 1:26am on the 7th between the junction of State Highway 2 and State Highway 33, near Te Puke, and State Highway 30 and State Highway 33, at Te Ngae.
Multi Hazard
at
Pyes Pa
State Highway 36 on Pyes Pa Road was closed on the night of the 6th by slips and fallen power lines.
Heavy Rain
at
Whakatane
Whakatane recorded 105 mm (10.5 cm) of rain.
Gisborne
Flooding
at
Gisborne
Several highways were under water in the East Cape on the 7th. State Highway 35 between Waihau Bay and Hicks Bay was closed due to flooding.
Landslide
State Highway 35 was reduced to one lane in places between Tikitiki and Te Puia Springs on the 6th due to slips. A slip between Hicks Bay and Tikitiki caused another closure on the highway at 1am on the 7th. State Highway 2 between Matawai and Te Karaka was reduced to one lane in places because of slips.
Taranaki
Heavy Rain
at
Taranaki
Heavy rain fell around Taranaki.
Heavy Rain
at
Hawera
Hawera recorded 48 mm (4.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 8th.
Heavy Rain
at
Stratford
Stratford recorded 60mm (6.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 8th.
Flooding
at
Waitotara River
The Waitotara River rose 4.3 m in 24 hours.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy Rain
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy rain fell in the Wanganui district.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips occurred around the region on the 8th.
State Highway 4 from Wanganui to Raetihi was closed.
Landslide
Wanganui River Road and State Highway 4 were closed due to slips.
Multi Hazard
at
Brunswick
Tokomaru East Road and Tokomaru West Road were closed.
Flooding
at
Kai Iwi
State Highway 3 was reduced to one lane north of Kai Iwi.
Flooding
at
Kai Iwi Beach
The Handley Road-Ototoka Beach Road intersection was closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Kakatahi
Raupiu Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Kauarapaoa Stream
Kauarapaoa Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Mangawhero River
Te Rimu Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Marybank
State Highway 3 was reduced to one lane at Marybank.
Flooding
at
Matarawa Stream
The Matarawa Stream reached a very high level.
Flooding
at
Mateongaonga Stream
The swollen Mateongaonga Stream overflowed on the 8th.
Flood waters covered a 100m section of the road on the lower reaches of the valley, isolating residents. Longacre Road was closed
Multi Hazard
at
Okoia
Waikupa Road and Kaukatea Road were closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Paparangi
Rangitatau East Road was closed.
Landslide
at
Tauakira station
A slip came down 2.5 km up the Parihauhau Road.
Flooding
at
Turakina
State Highway 3 was reduced to one lane north of Turakina.
Multi Hazard
at
Upukongaro
Makirikiri Road and Kukuta Road were closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Waitotara
Waitotara recorded 68 mm (6.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 8th.
Heavy Rain
at
Wanganui
Wanganui recorded 34 mm (3.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
Extensive surface flooding occurred in Wanganui.
Stormwater drains were full.
Kowhai Park was closed due to surface flooding.
Papaiti Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Whanganui River
The Whanganui River reached a height of 7.6 m.
Wanganui River Road was closed.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
at
Cook Strait
Cook Strait recorded wind gusts of up to 110 km/hr.
Maritime / Coastal
There were swells of 6m in Cook Strait.
Landslide
at
Kelson
A day of steady rain caused a landslip in Kelson, which undermined a house. The slip took out about 80 m^2 of sections, a carport and a verandah. A sleepout, a shed, and the corner of a house were left teetering on the edge of the slip. The affected house had to be knocked down.
Four houses in Vista Grove were evacuated on the night of the 7th after one house slid down a hill, threatening the three others.
The slip also severed a sewage pipe.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt recorded 34 mm (3.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Christchurch
Christchurch experienced three days of rain.
Christchurch recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Flooding
Surface flooding occurred in Christchurch after the Heathcote River burst its banks on the 8th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Hutt Skifield
Mt Hutt received 45 cm of snow.
References
- Headline: $27m damage from last winter's storms.
- Dominion Post, 29 May 2007.
- Headline: 'Huge bang and roar'.
- The Dominion Post, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: Record rainfall for Lower Hutt.
- The Dominion Post, August 10 2006.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
- Headline: Weather Highlights of 2006, 27/12/2006 www.scoop.co.nz.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 108, March 2007.
- Headline: Drivers warned to slow down due to flooding and slips.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Landslide in suburban street a 'huge disaster'.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald, NZPA and Newstalk ZB, 8 August 2006.
- Headline: Northland weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 5 August 2006.
- Headline: 'Awful' down on the farm.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Flood dramas leave two families in a fix.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Floods, slips cause chaos in North Island.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Road crashes add to wet weekend misery.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Sodden parts brace for more flooding.
- onenews.co.nz, 8 August 2006.
- Headline: Farmers frustrations mount as water rises.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: Homes teetering.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: Rain brings more floods and slips.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: River runs high as tide turns.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.
August 2006 North Island Storm
(
2006-08-05
)
Heavy rain, flooding and landslides occurred in many parts of the North Island, along with high winds in the upper North Island. Roads were closed and some residents near Wanganui were isolated. Heavy rain and surface flooding also occurred in Christchurch.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 4 days - From the 5th to the 8th of August.
Weather forecast for New Zealand on the 5th: "A deepening low is expected to move over the eastern Tasman Sea tomorrow and then become slow-moving overnight. An associated front, preceded by a very strong and wet northeasterly flow, should move onto Northland later. It's expected to cross northern and central parts of the country on Monday. The low is forecast to move northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday with southerlies spreading north over New Zealand."
The MertService issued a severe weather warning for northern parts of the South Island on the 7th.
On the 6th, a low pressure system moved onto the North Island.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
Heavy rain pounded the top half of the North Island on the 6th and 7th.
Multi Hazard
The police received 15 reports overnight on the 6th/7th of slips and flooding restricting traffic flow.
Flooding
Flooding affected State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range between Matamata and Tauranga.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
The bad weather contributed to road accidents in Northland.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 43 mm (4.3 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 7pm on the 6th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kawakawa
The southbound lane of State Highway 1 between Moerewa and Kawakawa was cut off by fallen trees and debris.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Kerikeri Airport recorded 110 mm (11.0 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 7pm on the 6th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mangamuka Gorge
Traffic was held up on State Highway 1 through Mangamuka Gorge on the 6th when a tree fell across the road.
Flooding
at
Maungaturoto
Parts of Maungaturoto were affected by extensive surface flooding on the 6th.
Landslide
at
Ruakaka
Doctors Hil Road was blocked by a slip on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Whakapara
Flood waters covered farmland at Whakapara.
Flooding
at
Whananaki
Parts of Whananaki North were affected by extensive surface flooding on the 6th.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei Airport recorded 87 mm (8.7 cm) of rain in the 48 hurs to 7pm on the 6th.
Auckland
High Wind / Gust
at
Cuthill
Traffic lights on Upper Harbour Drive were not working on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Dairy Flat
Sunnyside Road and Green Road at Dairy Flat were impassable on the 6th due to flooding.
Landslide
at
Devonport
A house in Devonport was threatened by a slip.
Multi Hazard
at
Glenfield
Traffic lights at the Glenfield Road-Sunset Road intersection were not working on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Tomarata
A car was partially submerged in flood waters in a ditch after aquaplaning off Tomarata Valley Road just after 3am on the 6th. The family, including two young children, escaped out the back door and were rescued by tractor.
The water was estimated to be head height in places.
Flooding
at
Waiteitei
Extensive surface flooding occurred on Waiteitei Road on the 6th.
A family were trapped in their ute for four hours between two flooded stretches of Waiteitei Road from around 5am on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Wellsford
Surface flooding occurred in Wellsford on the 6th.
A heavy downpour led to a car being washed into a drain at Wellsford.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
Heavy rain caused flooding and slips in the Thames-Coromandel district and north Waikato on the 6th.
High Wind / Gust
Debris covered half of the 309 Road between between Whitianga and Thames on the 6th.
Landslide
at
Karangahake Gorge
Large rocks came down on State Highway 2 in Karangahake Gorge, blocking one lane.
Landslide
at
Otorohanga
The northbound lane of State Highway 3 south of Otorohanga was blocked by a slip on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Rotowaro
Flooding affected Rotowaro Road on the 6th.
Multi Hazard
at
Whitianga
Police urged that only 4WD motorists should attempt to drive on State Highway 25 near Whitianga.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
Heavy rain lashed coastal Bay of Plenty areas overnight on the 6th/7th.
Flooding
There was considerable surface flooding in the lower Kaituna area and the Rangitikei Plains.
Several highways in the Bay of Plenty were under water on the 7th.
At 8am on the 7th, all rivers were receding except for the Whakatane River.
Landslide
A landslip closed State Highway 33 at 1:26am on the 7th between the junction of State Highway 2 and State Highway 33, near Te Puke, and State Highway 30 and State Highway 33, at Te Ngae.
Multi Hazard
at
Pyes Pa
State Highway 36 on Pyes Pa Road was closed on the night of the 6th by slips and fallen power lines.
Heavy Rain
at
Whakatane
Whakatane recorded 105 mm (10.5 cm) of rain.
Gisborne
Flooding
at
Gisborne
Several highways were under water in the East Cape on the 7th. State Highway 35 between Waihau Bay and Hicks Bay was closed due to flooding.
Landslide
State Highway 35 was reduced to one lane in places between Tikitiki and Te Puia Springs on the 6th due to slips. A slip between Hicks Bay and Tikitiki caused another closure on the highway at 1am on the 7th. State Highway 2 between Matawai and Te Karaka was reduced to one lane in places because of slips.
Taranaki
Heavy Rain
at
Taranaki
Heavy rain fell around Taranaki.
Heavy Rain
at
Hawera
Hawera recorded 48 mm (4.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 8th.
Heavy Rain
at
Stratford
Stratford recorded 60mm (6.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 8th.
Flooding
at
Waitotara River
The Waitotara River rose 4.3 m in 24 hours.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy Rain
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy rain fell in the Wanganui district.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips occurred around the region on the 8th.
State Highway 4 from Wanganui to Raetihi was closed.
Landslide
Wanganui River Road and State Highway 4 were closed due to slips.
Multi Hazard
at
Brunswick
Tokomaru East Road and Tokomaru West Road were closed.
Flooding
at
Kai Iwi
State Highway 3 was reduced to one lane north of Kai Iwi.
Flooding
at
Kai Iwi Beach
The Handley Road-Ototoka Beach Road intersection was closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Kakatahi
Raupiu Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Kauarapaoa Stream
Kauarapaoa Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Mangawhero River
Te Rimu Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Marybank
State Highway 3 was reduced to one lane at Marybank.
Flooding
at
Matarawa Stream
The Matarawa Stream reached a very high level.
Flooding
at
Mateongaonga Stream
The swollen Mateongaonga Stream overflowed on the 8th.
Flood waters covered a 100m section of the road on the lower reaches of the valley, isolating residents. Longacre Road was closed
Multi Hazard
at
Okoia
Waikupa Road and Kaukatea Road were closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Paparangi
Rangitatau East Road was closed.
Landslide
at
Tauakira station
A slip came down 2.5 km up the Parihauhau Road.
Flooding
at
Turakina
State Highway 3 was reduced to one lane north of Turakina.
Multi Hazard
at
Upukongaro
Makirikiri Road and Kukuta Road were closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Waitotara
Waitotara recorded 68 mm (6.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 8th.
Heavy Rain
at
Wanganui
Wanganui recorded 34 mm (3.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
Extensive surface flooding occurred in Wanganui.
Stormwater drains were full.
Kowhai Park was closed due to surface flooding.
Papaiti Road was closed.
Flooding
at
Whanganui River
The Whanganui River reached a height of 7.6 m.
Wanganui River Road was closed.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
at
Cook Strait
Cook Strait recorded wind gusts of up to 110 km/hr.
Maritime / Coastal
There were swells of 6m in Cook Strait.
Landslide
at
Kelson
A day of steady rain caused a landslip in Kelson, which undermined a house. The slip took out about 80 m^2 of sections, a carport and a verandah. A sleepout, a shed, and the corner of a house were left teetering on the edge of the slip. The affected house had to be knocked down.
Four houses in Vista Grove were evacuated on the night of the 7th after one house slid down a hill, threatening the three others.
The slip also severed a sewage pipe.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt recorded 34 mm (3.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Christchurch
Christchurch experienced three days of rain.
Christchurch recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Flooding
Surface flooding occurred in Christchurch after the Heathcote River burst its banks on the 8th.
Snow / Ice
at
Mount Hutt Skifield
Mt Hutt received 45 cm of snow.
References
- Headline: $27m damage from last winter's storms.
- Dominion Post, 29 May 2007.
- Headline: 'Huge bang and roar'.
- The Dominion Post, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: Record rainfall for Lower Hutt.
- The Dominion Post, August 10 2006.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
- Headline: Weather Highlights of 2006, 27/12/2006 www.scoop.co.nz.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 108, March 2007.
- Headline: Drivers warned to slow down due to flooding and slips.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Landslide in suburban street a 'huge disaster'.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald, NZPA and Newstalk ZB, 8 August 2006.
- Headline: Northland weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 5 August 2006.
- Headline: 'Awful' down on the farm.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Flood dramas leave two families in a fix.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Floods, slips cause chaos in North Island.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Road crashes add to wet weekend misery.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 August 2006.
- Headline: Sodden parts brace for more flooding.
- onenews.co.nz, 8 August 2006.
- Headline: Farmers frustrations mount as water rises.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: Homes teetering.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: Rain brings more floods and slips.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.
- Headline: River runs high as tide turns.
- The Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2006.