NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
February 1966 Northland and Auckland Flooding
(
1966-02-16
)
20-25 years
High rainfalls and flooding were experienced throughout Northland and northern Auckland.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 2 days - From the 16th to the 17th of February.
A flow remained very anticyclonic until 6am on the 17th, when a north-south front suddenly appeared and a trough in the Tasman Sea exhibited a slight negative tilt.
Heavy Rain
More than 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain fell in some areas of Northland and northern Auckland on the 16th.
The ARI in some places exceeded a 100 year event.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
High rainfall and thunderstorms caused flooding in Northland on the 16th.
Power supplies and telephone communications were disrupted.
Road acess was cut between Broadwood and Runa Runa and Pawarenga.
Heavy Rain
Northland received up to 16 in (40.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
The estimated return period was 25 years.
Flooding
Roads were cut. The Mangakahia route between Kaikohe and Whangarei was flooded.
The railway was blocked for 24 hours.
Houses, shops and farms were flooded.
Flooding
at
Awarua
The bridge at Awarua was under water.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 3.02 in (7.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Glenbervie
Glenberrie recorded 6.27 in (15.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Glenberrie recorded 2.5 in (6.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hikurangi
Hikurangi recorded 4.62 in (11.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Hikurangi recorded 4.70 in (11.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hikurangi Swamp
On the 16th and 17th, high intensity rainfall fell for 5-6 hours in a straight belt between Hukerenui and Lewis Bridge (over the Wairua River).
Flooding
A flash flood of 20-year frequency occurred.
The railway was blocked for 24 hours.
The flow of water from the hills west of the Hikurangi swamp exceeded the capacity of every culvert and bridge on the road west of the swamp. A bridge was also washed out.
A total of 12,500 acres (5059 ha) of land was inundated.
Heavy damage was done to fences by floating debris. 1,500 acres (6.07 km^2) of paddock in the swamp catchment had to be regrasssed.
Some stock was lost.
Flooding
at
Hukerenui
At Hukerenui, there was 10 ft (3.0 m) of water over both the railway line and State Highway 1.
A goods train was derailed at Hukerenui.
The approaches to a bridge north of Hukerenui were washed out.
Stock losses were heavy north of SH1 between Hukerenui and Waiotu.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 7.05 in (17.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
Mangamutu Stream at the lower end of the borough was a raging torrent.
Hundreds of acres of low-lying land was under water.
Landslide
at
Kohukohu
Large slips blocked the road between the Motuiti junction and Kohukohu.
Heavy Rain
at
Kokopu
Kokopu received about 400 mm (40.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Manganui River
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station reached a gauge height of 8.062 m on the 18th.
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station had a peak discharge of 232 cumecs on the 18th, with a catchment area of 417 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungakaramea
Maungakaramea recorded 10.5 in (26.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungatapere
Maungatapere recorded 10.01 in (25.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Opahi
The Opahi at the Pond reached a gauge height of 3.542 m on the 17th.
The Opahi at the Pond had a peak discharge of 76.4 cumecs on the 17th, with a catchment area of 10.4 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 9.01 in (22.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Puhipuhi recorded 3.1 in (7.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Flooding
at
Rawene
Rawene was completely isolated from road access.
Heavy Rain
at
Ruatangata West
Ruatangata recorded 13.23 in (33.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Ruatangata recorded 1.67 in (4.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Russell
Russell recorded 3.86 in (9.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Taumarere
A washout occurred at Taumarere.
Flooding
at
Tauraroa
The Tauraroa school was closed.
Flooding
at
Titoki
The Titoki school was closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Towai
Towai recorded 6.16 in (15.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Towai recorded 1.50 in (3.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikiekie
Waikiekie recorded 6.74 in (17.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Wairua River
The Wairua River at the Wairua Bridge reached a gauge height of 5.465 m on the 17th.
The Wairua River at the Wairua Bridge had a peak discharge of 645 cumecs on the 17th, with a catchments area of 707 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Waitangi Forest
Waitangi State Forest recorded 4.39 in (11.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Whakapara
There was 3 ft (90 cm) of water in a strong current across the road at Whakapara.
The Whakapara River at the State Highway Bridge reached a gauge height of 8.352 m on the 17th.
The Whakapara River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 273 cumecs on the 17th, with a catchment area of 163 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whau Valley recorded 7.3 in (18.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Multi Hazard
Rail traffic was cut north and south of Whangarei.
State Highway 14 from Whangarei to Maungatapere was blocked.
Flooding
12 ft (3.7 m) of water swept across one site.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Whenuapai
Whenuapai recorded 260 mm (26.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours (Return Period over 150 years).
Whenuapai recorded 107 mm (10.7 cm) of rain in one hour (Return Period well over 150 years). The one-hour downpour broke a 35-year record.
References
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. Meteorological Observations for 1966, Stations in New Zealand and Outlying Islands, Including the Cook Group.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Train derailed, Roads cut by floods. Over 16 inches of rain recorded on farm at Kokopu.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 February 1966.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Shearer, A.R. (1969). Hydrology Annual, No.14, 1966. Published by the Ministry of Works, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
February 1966 Northland and Auckland Flooding
(
1966-02-16
)
20-25 years
High rainfalls and flooding were experienced throughout Northland and northern Auckland.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 2 days - From the 16th to the 17th of February.
A flow remained very anticyclonic until 6am on the 17th, when a north-south front suddenly appeared and a trough in the Tasman Sea exhibited a slight negative tilt.
Heavy Rain
More than 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain fell in some areas of Northland and northern Auckland on the 16th.
The ARI in some places exceeded a 100 year event.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
High rainfall and thunderstorms caused flooding in Northland on the 16th.
Power supplies and telephone communications were disrupted.
Road acess was cut between Broadwood and Runa Runa and Pawarenga.
Heavy Rain
Northland received up to 16 in (40.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
The estimated return period was 25 years.
Flooding
Roads were cut. The Mangakahia route between Kaikohe and Whangarei was flooded.
The railway was blocked for 24 hours.
Houses, shops and farms were flooded.
Flooding
at
Awarua
The bridge at Awarua was under water.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 3.02 in (7.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Glenbervie
Glenberrie recorded 6.27 in (15.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Glenberrie recorded 2.5 in (6.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hikurangi
Hikurangi recorded 4.62 in (11.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Hikurangi recorded 4.70 in (11.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hikurangi Swamp
On the 16th and 17th, high intensity rainfall fell for 5-6 hours in a straight belt between Hukerenui and Lewis Bridge (over the Wairua River).
Flooding
A flash flood of 20-year frequency occurred.
The railway was blocked for 24 hours.
The flow of water from the hills west of the Hikurangi swamp exceeded the capacity of every culvert and bridge on the road west of the swamp. A bridge was also washed out.
A total of 12,500 acres (5059 ha) of land was inundated.
Heavy damage was done to fences by floating debris. 1,500 acres (6.07 km^2) of paddock in the swamp catchment had to be regrasssed.
Some stock was lost.
Flooding
at
Hukerenui
At Hukerenui, there was 10 ft (3.0 m) of water over both the railway line and State Highway 1.
A goods train was derailed at Hukerenui.
The approaches to a bridge north of Hukerenui were washed out.
Stock losses were heavy north of SH1 between Hukerenui and Waiotu.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 7.05 in (17.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
Mangamutu Stream at the lower end of the borough was a raging torrent.
Hundreds of acres of low-lying land was under water.
Landslide
at
Kohukohu
Large slips blocked the road between the Motuiti junction and Kohukohu.
Heavy Rain
at
Kokopu
Kokopu received about 400 mm (40.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Manganui River
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station reached a gauge height of 8.062 m on the 18th.
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station had a peak discharge of 232 cumecs on the 18th, with a catchment area of 417 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungakaramea
Maungakaramea recorded 10.5 in (26.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungatapere
Maungatapere recorded 10.01 in (25.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Opahi
The Opahi at the Pond reached a gauge height of 3.542 m on the 17th.
The Opahi at the Pond had a peak discharge of 76.4 cumecs on the 17th, with a catchment area of 10.4 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 9.01 in (22.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Puhipuhi recorded 3.1 in (7.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Flooding
at
Rawene
Rawene was completely isolated from road access.
Heavy Rain
at
Ruatangata West
Ruatangata recorded 13.23 in (33.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Ruatangata recorded 1.67 in (4.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Russell
Russell recorded 3.86 in (9.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Taumarere
A washout occurred at Taumarere.
Flooding
at
Tauraroa
The Tauraroa school was closed.
Flooding
at
Titoki
The Titoki school was closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Towai
Towai recorded 6.16 in (15.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Towai recorded 1.50 in (3.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 17th.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikiekie
Waikiekie recorded 6.74 in (17.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Wairua River
The Wairua River at the Wairua Bridge reached a gauge height of 5.465 m on the 17th.
The Wairua River at the Wairua Bridge had a peak discharge of 645 cumecs on the 17th, with a catchments area of 707 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Waitangi Forest
Waitangi State Forest recorded 4.39 in (11.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Whakapara
There was 3 ft (90 cm) of water in a strong current across the road at Whakapara.
The Whakapara River at the State Highway Bridge reached a gauge height of 8.352 m on the 17th.
The Whakapara River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 273 cumecs on the 17th, with a catchment area of 163 km^2.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whau Valley recorded 7.3 in (18.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Multi Hazard
Rail traffic was cut north and south of Whangarei.
State Highway 14 from Whangarei to Maungatapere was blocked.
Flooding
12 ft (3.7 m) of water swept across one site.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Whenuapai
Whenuapai recorded 260 mm (26.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours (Return Period over 150 years).
Whenuapai recorded 107 mm (10.7 cm) of rain in one hour (Return Period well over 150 years). The one-hour downpour broke a 35-year record.
References
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. Meteorological Observations for 1966, Stations in New Zealand and Outlying Islands, Including the Cook Group.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Train derailed, Roads cut by floods. Over 16 inches of rain recorded on farm at Kokopu.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 February 1966.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Shearer, A.R. (1969). Hydrology Annual, No.14, 1966. Published by the Ministry of Works, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.