NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
February 2008 Upper North Island Storm ( 2008-02-22 )
A storm brought heavy rain, flooding, high winds and high seas to Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel. Weather-related road accidents saw five people injured in Dome Valley, Auckland, and one person killed in the Waikato.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 2 days - From the 22nd to the 23rd of February.
MetService issued Severe Weather Warnings on the 22nd for Northland, Nelson and West Coast of South Island. Wind warnings were issued for the Auckland region and Northland.
A deep subtropical low moved into the north Tasman Sea on the 20th and 21st. By the 22nd it was close enough to give a moist north-easterly flow over New Zealand. In the north of the North Island the flow became very strong, with severe gale winds from Auckland northwards. An occluded front accompanying the low also moved onto the far north and moved onto the rest of the country on the 23rd. On the 24th, the Tasman low had broken up. Rain eased in northern areas and winds became light.
The storm mainly affected the north of the North Island. Northland was the worst affected area, but Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula were also hammered by the storm.
Disruption was caused by heavy rain and gale-force north-easterly winds.
Around 800 homes in the Northland and Auckland lost power on the 23rd due to the heavy weather. Power was restored to most homes by that night.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Some Northland roads were impassable on the 23rd and rising flood waters made travel difficult on others. There were smaller slips and washouts to be attended to on the 25th.
Strong winds and torrential rain were still battering some areas on the night of the 23rd.
Northland communities escaped major structural damage.
Heavy Rain
The hills between Kaeo and Kaikohe received 200-240 mm (20.0-24.0 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Brynderwyn
There were two car acidents on the Brynderwyns caused by foul weather. In one a police car ended up on its roof in a ditch around 4:40pm.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded a gust of 145 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dargaville
High winds and a faulty bracket toppled a street lamp onto the main feeder line into Dargaville at about 10am on the 22nd. Power was cut in the central business area, disrupting trading for about two hours. About 900 customers were affected in Normanby Street. Power was restored to about 65% of the area within 30 minutess, but about 400 customers had to wait until about 12:15pm before the repairs were completed.
Multi Hazard
at
Hokianga Harbour
In Hokianga, three people reliant on dialysis were evacuated to hospital as a precaution against power cuts.
Flooding
at
Horeke
Rangiahua Bridge was flooded and impassable on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaeo
Kaeo recorded 204 mm (20.4 cm) of rain during the 22nd and up to 6pm on the 23rd.
Kaeo recorded 117 mm (11.7 cm) of rain on the 22nd.
Kaeo recorded 87 mm (8.7 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
Flooding
At Kaeo, Dip and Hospital Roads were flooded and impassable on the 23rd. Some people were forced to take extreme measures to get to work.
There was 1 m of water on the roads.
Rising flood waters were also expected to close State Highway 10 at Whangaroa Road on the 23rd.
Power lines were downed at the southern end of town, cutting power. Power was restored to most of the town by the 24th, with a fish factory and four houses outside town the only places still without power that afternoon.
There was serious flooding in low-lying and tidal areas of Kaeo. The town was described as a giant swimming pool.
The flood waters receded on the 24th.
This was the fourth time Kaeo had been flooded in about a year, due to silt continuing to build at the bottom of the Kaeo River where it meets the harbour.
Landslide
A slip on State Highway 10 between Kaeo River Bridge and Kaeo brought down power lines, cutting power to Kaeo and an oyster processing plant.
The majority of slips around Kaeo were cleared by the evening of the 24th.
Multi Hazard
State Highway 10 was closed north of Kaeo at least twice, as flood waters combined with high tides to make the road impassable for most vehicles.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded about 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
The Kerikeri hills recorded 122 mm (12.2 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Ohaeawai
Ohaeawai recorded 197 mm (19.7cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Paihia
Part of Maston Road, Paihia, was washed away on the 23rd, and the road was closed with detours in place.
Maritime / Coastal
A catamaran was blown onto rocks at Paihia.
A length of road on the sea front was closed due to high waves.
Storm surges undermined a footpath along the beachfront and part of the road, as well as taking away chunks of a seawall.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 225 mm (22.5 cm) of rain.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tangowahine
Around 10am on the 22nd, a bird tangled in wires caused a short circuit to the main feeder line on Avoca Road, Tangowahine. Power was restored to about 85% of the 700 customers within one hour, and the remainder by 12:35pm.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 98 mm (9.8 cm) of rain.
Landslide
at
Whangaroa
A slip on Old Hospital Road, Whangaroa, cut off 25 properties on the 23rd. The slip was cleared around 6pm on the 24th, after the residents had been stranded for more than 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangaroa Harbour
Rain downed power lines in towns around Whangaroa Harbour.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland
Heavy falls spread to Auckland on the morning of the 23rd.
Auckland recorded up to 80 mm (8.0 cm) on the 23rd.
The Lantern Festival was postponed by rain on the 23rd.
Multi Hazard
The Starlight Sympony at the Domain was postponed by weather and the Two-Handed Round North Island yacht race was delayed.
There was stormy weather in the Rodney district on the night of the 23rd, and rain had persisted all day.
High Wind / Gust
High winds began around Auckland on the night of the 22nd. Strong north-easterly winds lashed the region on the 22nd and 23rd.
Winds reached 90 km/hr over much of Rodney.
Maritime / Coastal
The Coastguard Nothern Region said at least eight boats had broken loose from their moorings.
Heavy Rain
at
Birkdale
Hot water was restored to residents in Milford and Birkdale by the evening of the 24th after heavy rain damaged the main line.
Multi Hazard
at
Dome Valley
Five people were injured in a serious crash on State Highway 1 in Dome Valley on the 23rd. High winds and heavy rain played a part when a driver lost control and slid across the road, running head-on into two cars coming the other way. Two people were flown to Auckland Hospital with injuries - a 71-year-old woman was badly hurt with chest and ankle injuries and man in his 30's had chest injuries. Three other motorists had minor injuries.
High Wind / Gust
at
Milford
Several trees were blown down, causing minor power cut to parts of Castor Bay and Milford.
Heavy Rain
Hot water was restored to residents in Milford and Birkdale by the evening of the 24th after heavy rain damaged the main line.
High Wind / Gust
at
Takapuna
Wheelie bins were blown down roads on the North Shore.
Multi Hazard
Bad conditions forced the delay of the annual 24-hour yacht race at Lake Pupuke.
Multi Hazard
at
Te Hana
Te Hana was the worst affected by power cuts, with 500 homes blacked out on the 23rd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tiritiri Matangi Island
Tiritiri Matangi recorded winds of up to 110 km/hr.
Heavy Rain
at
Titirangi
A man had to be cut free from his car when it overturned on slippery road conditions in Titirangi.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waiheke Island
There were power cuts on Waiheke Island on the 23rd. The power was back on that night.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Waitemata Harbour
In Waitemata Harbour three boats were washed off their moorings. Two were recovered before they hit rocks, but a yacht was washed ashore on Tamaki Drive and holed.
High Wind / Gust
High winds were forecast for the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and motorists were advised to drive with extreme care.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangaparoa
Whangaparaoa recorded 39 mm (3.9 cm) of rain from the 22nd to the 25th.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Heavy falls spread to the Coromandel Peninsula on the morning of the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Coromandel Range
The Coromandel Range received 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Maramarua
A motorcyclist was killed instantly when he lost control of his vehicle and slid into the path of a truck on State Highway 2 near Maramarua on the afternoon of the 23rd. The road surface had been made slick by heavy rain and oils spills after a long dry spell.
Another motorcyclist was involved in a minor accident at the same intersection just minutes before.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Nelson City
Nelson received up to 140 mm (14.0 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Richmond
Richmond recorded 112 mm (11.2 cm) of rain.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
West Coast
Parts of the West Coast received up to 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain.
References
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 112, March 2008.
- Headline: Rain a blessing and a curse.
- MetSociety news email, Bob McDavitt, Source: Rodney Times, 26 February 2008.
- Headline: Power cuts in upper Northland.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Slip cleared freeing householders.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Severe weather cuts power, floods roads.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, NZHerald and Newstalk ZB, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Flood waters recede as rain moves south.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Summer not over yet - despite N Island storms.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Three die in crashes on roads.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Heavy rain cuts power roads.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZHerald and NZPA, 25 February 2008.
- Headline: Flipping heck - it's a patrol car.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: High winds cut power to central Dargaville.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Kaeo braces amid rising flood waters.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Power and hot water restored after weekend storms.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Heavy rain warning for Northland.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 22 February 2008.
- Headline: Storm assaults northern New Zealand.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News and Newstalk ZB, 22 February 2008.
- Headline: Tropical storm bearing down on NZ.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 22 February 2008.
- Headline: Mayor backs flood-hit residents.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: Newstalk ZB and ONE News, 25 February 2008.
February 2008 Upper North Island Storm ( 2008-02-22 )
A storm brought heavy rain, flooding, high winds and high seas to Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel. Weather-related road accidents saw five people injured in Dome Valley, Auckland, and one person killed in the Waikato.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 2 days - From the 22nd to the 23rd of February.
MetService issued Severe Weather Warnings on the 22nd for Northland, Nelson and West Coast of South Island. Wind warnings were issued for the Auckland region and Northland.
A deep subtropical low moved into the north Tasman Sea on the 20th and 21st. By the 22nd it was close enough to give a moist north-easterly flow over New Zealand. In the north of the North Island the flow became very strong, with severe gale winds from Auckland northwards. An occluded front accompanying the low also moved onto the far north and moved onto the rest of the country on the 23rd. On the 24th, the Tasman low had broken up. Rain eased in northern areas and winds became light.
The storm mainly affected the north of the North Island. Northland was the worst affected area, but Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula were also hammered by the storm.
Disruption was caused by heavy rain and gale-force north-easterly winds.
Around 800 homes in the Northland and Auckland lost power on the 23rd due to the heavy weather. Power was restored to most homes by that night.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Some Northland roads were impassable on the 23rd and rising flood waters made travel difficult on others. There were smaller slips and washouts to be attended to on the 25th.
Strong winds and torrential rain were still battering some areas on the night of the 23rd.
Northland communities escaped major structural damage.
Heavy Rain
The hills between Kaeo and Kaikohe received 200-240 mm (20.0-24.0 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Brynderwyn
There were two car acidents on the Brynderwyns caused by foul weather. In one a police car ended up on its roof in a ditch around 4:40pm.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded a gust of 145 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dargaville
High winds and a faulty bracket toppled a street lamp onto the main feeder line into Dargaville at about 10am on the 22nd. Power was cut in the central business area, disrupting trading for about two hours. About 900 customers were affected in Normanby Street. Power was restored to about 65% of the area within 30 minutess, but about 400 customers had to wait until about 12:15pm before the repairs were completed.
Multi Hazard
at
Hokianga Harbour
In Hokianga, three people reliant on dialysis were evacuated to hospital as a precaution against power cuts.
Flooding
at
Horeke
Rangiahua Bridge was flooded and impassable on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaeo
Kaeo recorded 204 mm (20.4 cm) of rain during the 22nd and up to 6pm on the 23rd.
Kaeo recorded 117 mm (11.7 cm) of rain on the 22nd.
Kaeo recorded 87 mm (8.7 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
Flooding
At Kaeo, Dip and Hospital Roads were flooded and impassable on the 23rd. Some people were forced to take extreme measures to get to work.
There was 1 m of water on the roads.
Rising flood waters were also expected to close State Highway 10 at Whangaroa Road on the 23rd.
Power lines were downed at the southern end of town, cutting power. Power was restored to most of the town by the 24th, with a fish factory and four houses outside town the only places still without power that afternoon.
There was serious flooding in low-lying and tidal areas of Kaeo. The town was described as a giant swimming pool.
The flood waters receded on the 24th.
This was the fourth time Kaeo had been flooded in about a year, due to silt continuing to build at the bottom of the Kaeo River where it meets the harbour.
Landslide
A slip on State Highway 10 between Kaeo River Bridge and Kaeo brought down power lines, cutting power to Kaeo and an oyster processing plant.
The majority of slips around Kaeo were cleared by the evening of the 24th.
Multi Hazard
State Highway 10 was closed north of Kaeo at least twice, as flood waters combined with high tides to make the road impassable for most vehicles.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded about 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
The Kerikeri hills recorded 122 mm (12.2 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Ohaeawai
Ohaeawai recorded 197 mm (19.7cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Paihia
Part of Maston Road, Paihia, was washed away on the 23rd, and the road was closed with detours in place.
Maritime / Coastal
A catamaran was blown onto rocks at Paihia.
A length of road on the sea front was closed due to high waves.
Storm surges undermined a footpath along the beachfront and part of the road, as well as taking away chunks of a seawall.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 225 mm (22.5 cm) of rain.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tangowahine
Around 10am on the 22nd, a bird tangled in wires caused a short circuit to the main feeder line on Avoca Road, Tangowahine. Power was restored to about 85% of the 700 customers within one hour, and the remainder by 12:35pm.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 98 mm (9.8 cm) of rain.
Landslide
at
Whangaroa
A slip on Old Hospital Road, Whangaroa, cut off 25 properties on the 23rd. The slip was cleared around 6pm on the 24th, after the residents had been stranded for more than 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangaroa Harbour
Rain downed power lines in towns around Whangaroa Harbour.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland
Heavy falls spread to Auckland on the morning of the 23rd.
Auckland recorded up to 80 mm (8.0 cm) on the 23rd.
The Lantern Festival was postponed by rain on the 23rd.
Multi Hazard
The Starlight Sympony at the Domain was postponed by weather and the Two-Handed Round North Island yacht race was delayed.
There was stormy weather in the Rodney district on the night of the 23rd, and rain had persisted all day.
High Wind / Gust
High winds began around Auckland on the night of the 22nd. Strong north-easterly winds lashed the region on the 22nd and 23rd.
Winds reached 90 km/hr over much of Rodney.
Maritime / Coastal
The Coastguard Nothern Region said at least eight boats had broken loose from their moorings.
Heavy Rain
at
Birkdale
Hot water was restored to residents in Milford and Birkdale by the evening of the 24th after heavy rain damaged the main line.
Multi Hazard
at
Dome Valley
Five people were injured in a serious crash on State Highway 1 in Dome Valley on the 23rd. High winds and heavy rain played a part when a driver lost control and slid across the road, running head-on into two cars coming the other way. Two people were flown to Auckland Hospital with injuries - a 71-year-old woman was badly hurt with chest and ankle injuries and man in his 30's had chest injuries. Three other motorists had minor injuries.
High Wind / Gust
at
Milford
Several trees were blown down, causing minor power cut to parts of Castor Bay and Milford.
Heavy Rain
Hot water was restored to residents in Milford and Birkdale by the evening of the 24th after heavy rain damaged the main line.
High Wind / Gust
at
Takapuna
Wheelie bins were blown down roads on the North Shore.
Multi Hazard
Bad conditions forced the delay of the annual 24-hour yacht race at Lake Pupuke.
Multi Hazard
at
Te Hana
Te Hana was the worst affected by power cuts, with 500 homes blacked out on the 23rd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tiritiri Matangi Island
Tiritiri Matangi recorded winds of up to 110 km/hr.
Heavy Rain
at
Titirangi
A man had to be cut free from his car when it overturned on slippery road conditions in Titirangi.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waiheke Island
There were power cuts on Waiheke Island on the 23rd. The power was back on that night.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Waitemata Harbour
In Waitemata Harbour three boats were washed off their moorings. Two were recovered before they hit rocks, but a yacht was washed ashore on Tamaki Drive and holed.
High Wind / Gust
High winds were forecast for the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and motorists were advised to drive with extreme care.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangaparoa
Whangaparaoa recorded 39 mm (3.9 cm) of rain from the 22nd to the 25th.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Heavy falls spread to the Coromandel Peninsula on the morning of the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Coromandel Range
The Coromandel Range received 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Maramarua
A motorcyclist was killed instantly when he lost control of his vehicle and slid into the path of a truck on State Highway 2 near Maramarua on the afternoon of the 23rd. The road surface had been made slick by heavy rain and oils spills after a long dry spell.
Another motorcyclist was involved in a minor accident at the same intersection just minutes before.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Nelson City
Nelson received up to 140 mm (14.0 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Richmond
Richmond recorded 112 mm (11.2 cm) of rain.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
West Coast
Parts of the West Coast received up to 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain.
References
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 112, March 2008.
- Headline: Rain a blessing and a curse.
- MetSociety news email, Bob McDavitt, Source: Rodney Times, 26 February 2008.
- Headline: Power cuts in upper Northland.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Slip cleared freeing householders.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Severe weather cuts power, floods roads.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, NZHerald and Newstalk ZB, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Flood waters recede as rain moves south.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Summer not over yet - despite N Island storms.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Three die in crashes on roads.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Heavy rain cuts power roads.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZHerald and NZPA, 25 February 2008.
- Headline: Flipping heck - it's a patrol car.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: High winds cut power to central Dargaville.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Kaeo braces amid rising flood waters.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 23 February 2008.
- Headline: Power and hot water restored after weekend storms.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 24 February 2008.
- Headline: Heavy rain warning for Northland.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 22 February 2008.
- Headline: Storm assaults northern New Zealand.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News and Newstalk ZB, 22 February 2008.
- Headline: Tropical storm bearing down on NZ.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 22 February 2008.
- Headline: Mayor backs flood-hit residents.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: Newstalk ZB and ONE News, 25 February 2008.