NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
February 2007 Northland Storm
(
2007-02-05
)
Northland, particularly the Far North, experienced thunderstorms, heavy rain, flooding, slips, and high winds. Residents and tourists were isolated on the Far North peninsula when a bridge was damaged. A sailor on a ship off the coast of Northland was injured by a gust of wind. Flooding and slips also occurred in the western Waikato and there were rough seas in Auckland.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 5th to the 7th of February.
Very moist, warm and unstable air resulted in heavy downpours in some northern North Island areas on the 6th and 7th.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Thunderstorms with heavy downpours were experienced in several places, especially in the Far North.
Northland received more than two month's worth of rain in two days.
Flooding
Widespread surface flooding caused major disruptions in parts of Northland.
The Far North was cut off from the rest of New Zealand after heavy rain and flooding damaged road access at Mitimiti bridge. The top 30 km of Northland was isolated, with 500 residents and about 40 tourists cut off for several days.
Mail deliveries to about 100 addresses in the Far North had to eb put on hold.
There were 17 flooded houses in the region.
Volunter firefighters from Kaitaia, Mangonui, Kaeo, Paihia, Russell, Kerikeri and Pukenui responded to flood-related call-outs.
Multi Hazard
Power cuts affected Top Energy customers in the Far North. Power was restored by 5pm on the 7th.
Roads were blocked by flood waters, washouts, slips and fallen trees. Some minor roads were still impassable on the 9th.
Landslide
Repairs for slips around the Far North would cost an estimated $60,000.
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands recorded 55 mm (5.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6pm on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded 77 mm (7.7 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6pm on the 7th.
Cape Reinga recorded 122 mm (12.2 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th, although this was only to 9am on the 7th, when the rain gauge failed.
Flooding
The unsealed section of State Highway 1 between Cape Reinga and Waitiki Landing was soured.
High Wind / Gust
Cape Reinga recorded a maximum easterly gust of 70 km/hr on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 113 mm (11.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hokianga Harbour
North Hokianga recorded 146 mm (14.6 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaeo
Fallen trees blocked roads near Kaeo.
Heavy Rain
Kaeo recorded 165 mm (16.5 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaihu
Kaihu Valley School closed on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe received just over 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 5pm on the 7th.
Kaikohe recorded 116.2 mm (11.6 cm) of rain in th 24 hours to 6pm on the 7th.
Kaikohe recorded 191 mm (19.1 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
Kaikohe recorded a maximum westerly gust of 50 km/hr on the 7th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Kaipara Head
A sailor on board a Russian container ship was airlifted to hospital after a gust of wind threw him to the deck, causing injuries to his head, neck and one side of his body, at around 6pm on the 6th. The ship was 106 nautical miles off the Kaipara Coast.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
The Kaitaia area received up to 180 mm (18.0 cm) of rain.
Kaiaia recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Western Hills Kerikeri recorded 185 mm (18.5 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangamuka
East Mangamuka recorded 212 mm (21.1 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
West Mangamuka recorded 199 mm (19.9 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mangonui
Fallen trees blocked roads near Mangonui.
Flooding
at
Mitimiti Stream
Flood waters caused cracks in Mitimiti Bridge on State Highway 1 north of Te Kao, and the approach was washed out on the morning of the 7th, cutting off road access to the north.
Repairs to the bridge would cost about $100,000.
Heavy Rain
at
Ohaeawai
Ohaeawai recorded 172 mm (17.2 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Opononi
Opononi recorded 133 mm (13.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Opouteke
Opouteke recorded 143 mm (14.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Flooding
at
Paihia
Roads in Paihia were blocked.
Heavy Rain
at
Paparoa
Paparoa recorded 127 mm (12.7 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Parengarenga Harbour
Parengarenga Harbour swelled at high tide on the afternoon of the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Peria
Peria School closed on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 52 mm (5.2 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Flooding
at
Rangiahua
State Highway 1 near Rangiahua was impassable late on the 7th.
Landslide
A slip came down on Rangiahua Road between Horeke and State Highway 1, closing one lane of the road.
High Wind / Gust
at
Russell
Fallen trees blocked roads near Russell.
Flooding
at
Te Hapua
Only one of 38 Te Hapua School pupils made it to school on the 7th.
Lightning
Locals described the thunderstorm on the 7th as one of the worst they had experienced. Thunder shook houses and knocked items off walls.
Multi Hazard
Power was cut on the morning of the 7th.
Flooding
at
Te Paki
Te Paki Stream Road was closed due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Titoki
Staff and students of Mangakahia Area school were delayed in getting to school on the 7th by road accidents, and then had to be taken home by bus before lunch due to rising river levels.
Heavy Rain
at
Tutamoe
Tutamoe recorded 168 mm (16.8 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Twin Bridges
Twin Bridges recorded 111 mm (11.1 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Umawera
Umawera School closed on the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Waima
Waima School closed on the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Waitangi
Many events at the Waitangi Day celebrations on the 6th had to be cancelled due to high winds and torrential rain.
High Wind / Gust
The winds tore down makeshift tents of people camping in the Te Ti Marae grounds on the night of the 5th/6th, leaving the occupants soaked.
Winds at Waitangi were gusting to more than 50 km/hr at dawn on the 6th.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 68 mm (6.8 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 5pm on the 7th.
Whangarei recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain in the 24 horus to 6pm on the 7th.
Whangarei city recorded 93 mm (9.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th
Whangarei city recorded 38.5 mm (3.9 cm) of rain in one hour. This was the highest rainfall rate of this event.
High Wind / Gust
Whangarei recorded a maximum easterly gust of 52 km/hr on the 7th.
Auckland
Maritime / Coastal
at
Auckland
Seven people had to be rescued from four capsized yachts in choppy waters around Auckland on the 6th (in Okahu Bay, Shoal Bay, Te Atatu channel and Greenhithe).
High Wind / Gust
Auckland had winds of up to 45 knots (83 km/hr).
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
The western Waikato experienced heavy downpours overnight on the 6th to the 7th of February.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips caused major disruptions in parts of western Waikato.
Multi Hazard
at
Raglan
Heavy rain caused slips and surface flooding in the Raglan area.
State Highway 23 was closed.
Landslide
at
Waitetuna
Waitetuna Valley Road and Old Mountain Road were closed due to slips.
References
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 108, March 2007.
- Headline: Coastguard kept busy in big winds.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Floods close roads in Raglan, more rain on way.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Injured seaman airlifted to hospital.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Waitangi rains supreme: 12,000 brave blustery winds and downpours to mark special day.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Wet and wintry blast.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Far North isolated: Two months of rain dumps on North in just two days.
- The Northern Advocate, 8 February 2007.
- Headline: Northland weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 8 February 2007.
- Headline: 'We saw lightning dance down chimney'.
- The Northern Advocate, 8 February 2007.
- Headline: Cut-off Far North counts flood cost.
- The Northern Advocate, 9 February 2007.
- Headline: Rain everywhere but wetter in some places.
- The Northern Advocate, 9 February 2007.
- Headline: Stranded tourists well, and plotting to escape Far North.
- The Northern Advocate, 9 February 2007.
- Headline: Flooding cuts off Far North.
- www.tv3.co.nz, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Heavy rain isolates Far North.
- tvnz.zo.nz, 7 February 2007.
February 2007 Northland Storm
(
2007-02-05
)
Northland, particularly the Far North, experienced thunderstorms, heavy rain, flooding, slips, and high winds. Residents and tourists were isolated on the Far North peninsula when a bridge was damaged. A sailor on a ship off the coast of Northland was injured by a gust of wind. Flooding and slips also occurred in the western Waikato and there were rough seas in Auckland.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 5th to the 7th of February.
Very moist, warm and unstable air resulted in heavy downpours in some northern North Island areas on the 6th and 7th.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Thunderstorms with heavy downpours were experienced in several places, especially in the Far North.
Northland received more than two month's worth of rain in two days.
Flooding
Widespread surface flooding caused major disruptions in parts of Northland.
The Far North was cut off from the rest of New Zealand after heavy rain and flooding damaged road access at Mitimiti bridge. The top 30 km of Northland was isolated, with 500 residents and about 40 tourists cut off for several days.
Mail deliveries to about 100 addresses in the Far North had to eb put on hold.
There were 17 flooded houses in the region.
Volunter firefighters from Kaitaia, Mangonui, Kaeo, Paihia, Russell, Kerikeri and Pukenui responded to flood-related call-outs.
Multi Hazard
Power cuts affected Top Energy customers in the Far North. Power was restored by 5pm on the 7th.
Roads were blocked by flood waters, washouts, slips and fallen trees. Some minor roads were still impassable on the 9th.
Landslide
Repairs for slips around the Far North would cost an estimated $60,000.
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands recorded 55 mm (5.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6pm on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded 77 mm (7.7 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 6pm on the 7th.
Cape Reinga recorded 122 mm (12.2 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th, although this was only to 9am on the 7th, when the rain gauge failed.
Flooding
The unsealed section of State Highway 1 between Cape Reinga and Waitiki Landing was soured.
High Wind / Gust
Cape Reinga recorded a maximum easterly gust of 70 km/hr on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 113 mm (11.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Hokianga Harbour
North Hokianga recorded 146 mm (14.6 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaeo
Fallen trees blocked roads near Kaeo.
Heavy Rain
Kaeo recorded 165 mm (16.5 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaihu
Kaihu Valley School closed on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe received just over 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 5pm on the 7th.
Kaikohe recorded 116.2 mm (11.6 cm) of rain in th 24 hours to 6pm on the 7th.
Kaikohe recorded 191 mm (19.1 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
Kaikohe recorded a maximum westerly gust of 50 km/hr on the 7th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Kaipara Head
A sailor on board a Russian container ship was airlifted to hospital after a gust of wind threw him to the deck, causing injuries to his head, neck and one side of his body, at around 6pm on the 6th. The ship was 106 nautical miles off the Kaipara Coast.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
The Kaitaia area received up to 180 mm (18.0 cm) of rain.
Kaiaia recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Western Hills Kerikeri recorded 185 mm (18.5 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangamuka
East Mangamuka recorded 212 mm (21.1 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
West Mangamuka recorded 199 mm (19.9 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mangonui
Fallen trees blocked roads near Mangonui.
Flooding
at
Mitimiti Stream
Flood waters caused cracks in Mitimiti Bridge on State Highway 1 north of Te Kao, and the approach was washed out on the morning of the 7th, cutting off road access to the north.
Repairs to the bridge would cost about $100,000.
Heavy Rain
at
Ohaeawai
Ohaeawai recorded 172 mm (17.2 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Opononi
Opononi recorded 133 mm (13.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Opouteke
Opouteke recorded 143 mm (14.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Flooding
at
Paihia
Roads in Paihia were blocked.
Heavy Rain
at
Paparoa
Paparoa recorded 127 mm (12.7 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Parengarenga Harbour
Parengarenga Harbour swelled at high tide on the afternoon of the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Peria
Peria School closed on the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 52 mm (5.2 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Flooding
at
Rangiahua
State Highway 1 near Rangiahua was impassable late on the 7th.
Landslide
A slip came down on Rangiahua Road between Horeke and State Highway 1, closing one lane of the road.
High Wind / Gust
at
Russell
Fallen trees blocked roads near Russell.
Flooding
at
Te Hapua
Only one of 38 Te Hapua School pupils made it to school on the 7th.
Lightning
Locals described the thunderstorm on the 7th as one of the worst they had experienced. Thunder shook houses and knocked items off walls.
Multi Hazard
Power was cut on the morning of the 7th.
Flooding
at
Te Paki
Te Paki Stream Road was closed due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Titoki
Staff and students of Mangakahia Area school were delayed in getting to school on the 7th by road accidents, and then had to be taken home by bus before lunch due to rising river levels.
Heavy Rain
at
Tutamoe
Tutamoe recorded 168 mm (16.8 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Heavy Rain
at
Twin Bridges
Twin Bridges recorded 111 mm (11.1 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Umawera
Umawera School closed on the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Waima
Waima School closed on the 7th.
Multi Hazard
at
Waitangi
Many events at the Waitangi Day celebrations on the 6th had to be cancelled due to high winds and torrential rain.
High Wind / Gust
The winds tore down makeshift tents of people camping in the Te Ti Marae grounds on the night of the 5th/6th, leaving the occupants soaked.
Winds at Waitangi were gusting to more than 50 km/hr at dawn on the 6th.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 68 mm (6.8 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 5pm on the 7th.
Whangarei recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain in the 24 horus to 6pm on the 7th.
Whangarei city recorded 93 mm (9.3 cm) of rain from the 5th to the 7th
Whangarei city recorded 38.5 mm (3.9 cm) of rain in one hour. This was the highest rainfall rate of this event.
High Wind / Gust
Whangarei recorded a maximum easterly gust of 52 km/hr on the 7th.
Auckland
Maritime / Coastal
at
Auckland
Seven people had to be rescued from four capsized yachts in choppy waters around Auckland on the 6th (in Okahu Bay, Shoal Bay, Te Atatu channel and Greenhithe).
High Wind / Gust
Auckland had winds of up to 45 knots (83 km/hr).
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
The western Waikato experienced heavy downpours overnight on the 6th to the 7th of February.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips caused major disruptions in parts of western Waikato.
Multi Hazard
at
Raglan
Heavy rain caused slips and surface flooding in the Raglan area.
State Highway 23 was closed.
Landslide
at
Waitetuna
Waitetuna Valley Road and Old Mountain Road were closed due to slips.
References
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 108, March 2007.
- Headline: Coastguard kept busy in big winds.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Floods close roads in Raglan, more rain on way.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Injured seaman airlifted to hospital.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Waitangi rains supreme: 12,000 brave blustery winds and downpours to mark special day.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Wet and wintry blast.
- The Northern Advocate, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Far North isolated: Two months of rain dumps on North in just two days.
- The Northern Advocate, 8 February 2007.
- Headline: Northland weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 8 February 2007.
- Headline: 'We saw lightning dance down chimney'.
- The Northern Advocate, 8 February 2007.
- Headline: Cut-off Far North counts flood cost.
- The Northern Advocate, 9 February 2007.
- Headline: Rain everywhere but wetter in some places.
- The Northern Advocate, 9 February 2007.
- Headline: Stranded tourists well, and plotting to escape Far North.
- The Northern Advocate, 9 February 2007.
- Headline: Flooding cuts off Far North.
- www.tv3.co.nz, 7 February 2007.
- Headline: Heavy rain isolates Far North.
- tvnz.zo.nz, 7 February 2007.