NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
February 1937 Southland Flooding
(
1937-02-24
)
11-20 years
Two days of light but persistent rain caused flooding in Gore and Wyndham resulting in one casualty.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
All rivers were in high flood with much low lying land was inundated.
There were serious stock losses.
There was extensive crop damage.
Road traffic was stopped.
One person drowned.
Several bridges were damaged and rendered unsafe.
Both road and railway were blocked by floodwaters.
Flooding
at
Waikaka Valley
In Waikaka Valley the river reached its highest level since 1926.
Flooding
at
Aparima River
Aparima River rose 7 ft (2.13 m) above normal in the lower reaches and flooded surrounding land.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
Low lying land on either side Oreti River at Iron Bridge was covered by water several feet deep.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill recorded 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
Gore recorded 1.87 in (4.75 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
Mataura River reached peak level 11 ft 6 in (3.5 m) above normal at Gore Bridge.
Parts of the Gore township was invaded by floodwaters.
It was the greatest flood since 1917.
Mataura River had a discharge of 44,000 cusecs (1246 cumecs) at Gore.
Heavy Rain
at
Wendon
2.00 in (5.08 cm) of rain fell in Wendon in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Lumsden
2.51 in (6.38cm) of rain fell in Lumsden in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Wyndham
Wyndham was inundated with water up to 2 ft (0.61 m) deep in the main street.
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand, 1920-53, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand,239p.
- Miller, N. J. and McMillan, N. A. (year?). Report on Gore Borough stopbanks Mataura River. Invercargill, N.Z.: Southland Catchment Board.
- Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.
February 1937 Southland Flooding
(
1937-02-24
)
11-20 years
Two days of light but persistent rain caused flooding in Gore and Wyndham resulting in one casualty.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
All rivers were in high flood with much low lying land was inundated.
There were serious stock losses.
There was extensive crop damage.
Road traffic was stopped.
One person drowned.
Several bridges were damaged and rendered unsafe.
Both road and railway were blocked by floodwaters.
Flooding
at
Waikaka Valley
In Waikaka Valley the river reached its highest level since 1926.
Flooding
at
Aparima River
Aparima River rose 7 ft (2.13 m) above normal in the lower reaches and flooded surrounding land.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
Low lying land on either side Oreti River at Iron Bridge was covered by water several feet deep.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill recorded 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
Gore recorded 1.87 in (4.75 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
Mataura River reached peak level 11 ft 6 in (3.5 m) above normal at Gore Bridge.
Parts of the Gore township was invaded by floodwaters.
It was the greatest flood since 1917.
Mataura River had a discharge of 44,000 cusecs (1246 cumecs) at Gore.
Heavy Rain
at
Wendon
2.00 in (5.08 cm) of rain fell in Wendon in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Lumsden
2.51 in (6.38cm) of rain fell in Lumsden in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Wyndham
Wyndham was inundated with water up to 2 ft (0.61 m) deep in the main street.
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand, 1920-53, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand,239p.
- Miller, N. J. and McMillan, N. A. (year?). Report on Gore Borough stopbanks Mataura River. Invercargill, N.Z.: Southland Catchment Board.
- Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.