NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
February 2009 New Zealand Ex-tropical Cyclone Innis
(
2009-02-19
)
Heavy rain, high winds and minor flooding were experienced in many parts of New Zealand from Auckland to Stewart Island. The heaviest falls occurred in Taranaki, Canterbury and Otago. One woman died after her car rolled near Opotiki.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 19th until the 21st of February.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:45 am 19-Feb-2009: Widespread heavy rain expected over much of New Zealand on Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: North Island hill country from Kaimai Range to Taihape and from Mt Taranaki to eastern Bay of Plenty ranges, Tararua Range, Richmond Range to northwest Marlborough Sounds, northwest Nelson ranges and Westland ranges between Otira and Big Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:44 pm 19-Feb-2009: Widespread heavy rain over much of New Zealand on Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: The northern half of the North Island north of a line from Taranaki to Ruapehu to East Cape. Also the Tararua Ranges, the ranges of Nelson and Westland and the Marlborough Sounds.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 9:24 am 20-Feb-2009: Heavy rain over the North Island and northern South Island easing today. Heavy rain for Westland and eastern hills of South Canterbury and Otago continues into the weekend. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: North Island, north and including Mount Taranaki, Taihape and Bay of Plenty. Tararua Range, Richmond Range, Marlborough Sounds, Westland ranges south of Otira, eastern hills of Canterbury and Otago between Timaru and Balclutha. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warning lifted for northwest Nelson ranges.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:33 pm 20-Feb-2009: Heavy rain has now eased from all North Island areas. Further heavy rain for Westland and the hills of South Canterbury and eastern Otago Friday night and through Saturday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland ranges south of Otira and eastern hills of Canterbury and Otago between Timaru and Balclutha. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for all northern North Island districts, Tararua Ranges, and also Richmond Ranges and Marlborough Sounds.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:50 am 21-Feb-2009: Heavy rain in Westland easing this afternoon Rain all day in South Canterbury and eastern Otago but rain easing during the afternoon and evening. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland, Canterbury south of the Rangitata and eastern hills and ranges of Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:08 pm 21-Feb-2009: Rain has eased in Canterbury and Otago but further heavy falls for Westland on Sunday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Haast to Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Canterbury and Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:53 am 22-Feb-2009: Further heavy rain for Westland overnight. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Haast to Otira.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:04 am 23-Feb-2009: Further heavy rain for Westland today. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Haast to Otira.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:57 pm 22-Feb-2009: Heavy rain continuing in parts of Westland ranges until this afternoon. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Harihari to Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Westland ranges from Haast to Harihari.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 3:59 pm 23-Feb-2009: Heavy rain warning for ranges of Westland now lifted. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Westland between Otira and Harihari.
A deep, slow moving low pressure system was a combination of the low that had brought floods to New South Wales and the remains of Tropical Cyclone Innis near New Caledonia. The low moved into the central Tasman Sea on the 19th and onto the South Island on the 20th. Associated fronts sent heavy rain up the North Island and to the top of the South Island. A north-easterly flow to the south-east of the low brought heavy rain to the east of the South Island. The low remained slow-moving on the 21st, and slowly moved south-east on the 23rd and 24th.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
Heavy rain began to fall in some places on the night of the 19th. Torrential rain hit Auckland and the Waikato between 1pm and 2pm on the 20th.
There had been 12 traffic accidents in the upper North Island since the rain began. In the lower North Island heavy rain contributed to 14 minor traffic accidents.
Rain in the lower North Island had eased by late afternoon on the 20th.
South Island
Heavy Rain
at
South Island
Areas in the Waitaki district (South Canterbury/North Otago) experienced between 75 mm and 128 mm of rain, mostly on the night of the 20th and on the 21st.
The Waitaki emergency services manager partially activated the civil defence headquarters on the 21st to keep a watch on the rain.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland
The Northern motorway, from Albany to the Harbour Bridge, and the Southern Motorway, in the city bound lane, experiened serious traffic congestion as heavy rain fell.
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland City
Auckland recorded 37 mm (3.7 cm) of rain on the 20th.
A graduation procession down Queen Street for 1200 AUT students was cancelled due to the rain.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Whitianga
Whitianga received 80 mm (8.0 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Bay of Plenty
Multi Hazard
at
Bay of Plenty
Strong winds and rain caused havoc in the Bay of Plenty on the 20th.
Power was cut to 8000 Western Bay homes from about 1pm on the 20th, due to high winds blowing branches and other debris into powerlines and poles. The areas affected were Te Puke, Matapihi, Omanu, Te Maunga, Papamoa, Judea, Tauranga south, Parkvale, Omokoroa and Te Puna. By 4.30pm power had been restored to 2000 houses. At least 200 customers were still without power on the morning of the 21st.
There were about six weather-related car crashes in the Western Bay on the 20th.
High Wind / Gust
Dozens of fallen trees blocked roads.
Strong winds turned around traffic lights, making for difficult situations at intersections.
Heavy Rain
A car went off Pyes Pa Road in the wet and crashed into a shelter-belt tree at 8.15am on the 20th, leaving the driver with moderate injuries.
Flooding
There was surface flooding in some areas.
Flooding
at
Mount Maunganui
There was some minor flooding in buildings around Mount Maunganui. One house had minor flooding to the ceiling.
Heavy Rain
at
Opotiki
There was a fatal accident near Opotiki, in which a car rolled and the 66-year-old female driver later died.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tauranga
The Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Baypark was hit by strong winds on the 20th, which ripped through stalls, felled fences and blew over tents. The festival was cancelled for the day, for the first time in 36 years. Later, due to safety concerns, organisers evacuated the 200 media, volunteers, workers, VIPs and a small group of ticket holders.
Wind blew road signs about on Hewletts Road and around the harbour bridge roadworks.
The traffic lights at the intersection of Fraser Street and 15th Ave and Cameron Road and 15th Ave stopped working.
Emergency services attended incidents involving 21 fallen trees in the Tauranga area.
Flooding
There was some minor flooding in buildings around Tauranga.
High Wind / Gust
at
Te Puke
In Te Puke, a woman was trapped in her car when a tree fell on to it just after 1.30pm on the 20th.
Landslide
at
Waioeka River
There were slips in the Waioeka Gorge near Opotiki on the night of the 20th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Matawai
Matawai received 33.5 mm (3.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Hikurangi
The area around Mount Hikurangi recived up to 68.5 mm (6.9 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Araroa
Te Araroa recorded 122.5 mm (12.3 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikura River
The Waikura Valley recorded 119.5 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Taranaki
Heavy Rain
at
Taranaki
Heavy rain fell in Taranaki on the night of the 19th and during the 20th. The rainclouds were clearing by 3pm.
Flooding
The Waiwhakaiho River, Te Henui Stream and Waitara River rose significantly as the heavy rain fell.
Surface flooding affected many roads around Taranaki.
Heavy Rain
at
Dawson Falls
Dawson Falls received 174 mm (17.4 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Inglewood
Inglewood recorded 112 mm (11.2 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Taranaki
Mt Taranaki received 41.5 mm (4.2 cm) of rain in 1 hour.
Heavy Rain
at
New Plymouth
New Plymouth received 57 mm (5.7 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Hundreds of mainly juvenile sparrows fell to the ground from two trees in New Plymouth's main street, andy many of them died. Heavy rain was found to be the most likely cause.
There were two minor crashes on the morning of the 20th during the heavy rain.
Traffic was stopped at St Aubyn and Egmont Streets when water made its way into the traffic lights.
Multi Hazard
New Plymouth Airport was closed for most of the day on the 20th by low cloud and poor visibility.
Heavy Rain
at
North Egmont
North Egmont recorded 303 mm (30.3 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Stratford
Stratford received 65 mm (6.5 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Flooding
at
Levin
There was surface flooding on State Highway 1 and State Highway 57 near Levin and Manakau on the 20th. The flooding was quite deep in places and it slowed traffic.
Flooding
at
Palmerston North
There was serious flooding on a private property in Palmerston North.
Wellington
Heavy Rain
at
Kelburn
Kelburn received 62 mm (6.2 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Kilbirnie
There was serious flooding on a private property in Kilbirnie.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt received 83 mm (8.3 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Lyall Bay
The heavy rain caused overflows from a sewage pumping station on the South Coast near Lyall Bay. People were warned not to swim in the water on the 21st and 22nd.
Landslide
at
Rimutaka Hill
There were a number of slips on the Featherston side of Rimutaka Hill Road on State Highway 2 on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Wellington City
Heavy rain caused surface flooding throughout Wellington and drains became blocked with debris.
Raw sewage overflowed into the Courtenay Place and Tory Street area after a blockage was exacerbated by the heavy rain. The mess was cleared up within two hours.
Wellington received 69 mm (6.9 cm) of rain on the 20th - more than the average rainfall for the whole month of February.
Flooding
A blocked sump caused knee-high flooding at one end of Lambton Quay.
Heavy Rain
at
Wellington Harbour
The heavy rain caused overflows from three sewage pumping stations into the harbour. The dishcarges occurred at Moa Point, near the international passenger terminal, and at Kaiwharawhara Stream. People were warned not to swim in the water.
Heavy Rain
at
Wellington International Airport
Wellington Airport received 20 mm (2.0 cm) of rain in 4 hours on the morning of the 20th.
Marlborough
Heavy Rain
at
Blenheim
Blenheim received about 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Tasman-Nelson
Parts of Nelson received about 30 mm (3.0 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Mapua
A panel van drifted across the road in the wet at Mapua, crossing three lanes of traffic and causing a three-car crash. One driver received minor injuries.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
West Coast
Parts of the West Coast received about 30 mm (3.0 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Westport
Flights in and out of Westport Airport were cancelled on the morning of the 20th due to poor weather conditions. A flight from Wellington was forced to return after it was unable to land at Westport.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Canterbury
The South Canterbury foothills received up to 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 36 hours from the 20th to the 21st.
Flooding
There were moderate flood conditions in South Canterbury rivers and streams. River levels peaked at about midday on the 21st.
There was extensive surface flooding in at least 10 places on SH1 between Timaru and Glenavy. There was also surface flooding on SH82 between Waimate and Kurow. Some minor roads were closed due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Ahuriri River
The Ahuriri River peaked at 60 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Chistchurch
Heavy rain contributed to a pile-up involving two cars and a bus at a busy Christchurch intersection.
Heavy Rain
at
Danseys Pass
Dansey Pass recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Fairlie
A Fairlie farm received around 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Maerewhenua River
The Maerewhenua River peaked at 111 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Cook
Mt Cook recorded 119 mm (11.9 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Omarama
Omarama basin recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Opihi River
The Opihi River at the Gorge had a flow of 128 cumecs on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Pareora River
The Pareora River had a peak flow of 410 cumecs at 10am on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Tengawai River
The Tengawai River had a peak flow of 255 cumecs on the 21st. On the 20th the river had a flow of only half a cumec.
Flooding
at
Waihao River
The Waihao River south of Waimate peaked at 231 cumecs.
Otago
Heavy Rain
at
Otago
North Otago experienced 24 hours of moderate to heavy rainfalls.
Flooding
Some North Otago rivers reached flood levels on the 21st.
Surface flooding affected many roads and culverts in North Otago.
Heavy Rain
at
Alexandra
Alexandra recorded 39 mm (3.9 cm) of rain from th 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Balclutha
Balclutha recorded 59 mm (5.9 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Clifton Falls homestead
Clifton Falls, in the Kakanui Valley, recorded 108 mm (10.8 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Clifton Falls recorded 110 mm (11.0 cm) of rain on the 20th and 21st.
Clifton Falls recorded 75 mm (7.5 cm) of rain on the 21st.
Clifton Falls recorded 7.5 mm (0.8 cm) of rain in 1 hour to 8am on the 21st.
Flooding
The Kakanui River rose about 2 m at Clifton Falls.
Heavy Rain
at
The Dasher homestead
The Dasher recorded 241 mm (24.1 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin
Musselburgh recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Pine Hill recorded 126 mm (12.6 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded 59 mm (5.9 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Forsyth
Clarks Flat recorded 88 mm (8.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Glenfinnan Stream
Glenfinnan recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Hawea Flat
Hawea Flat recorded 45 mm (4.5 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Hills Creek
Hills Creek recorded 48 mm (4.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Flooding
at
Kakanui River
The Kakanui River peaked at 500 cumecs on the 21st. It reached its first flood alarm of 50 cumecs at 8.20am and was flowing at over 220 cumecs at midday.
Low-lying farmland east of the Kakanui River bridge on SH1 was flooded.
Heavy Rain
at
Lindis Crossing
Lindis Crossing recorded 44 mm (4.4 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Makarora Station
Makarora Station recorded 133 mm (13.3 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungatua
Maungatua recorded 110 mm (11.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Merino Ridges
Merino Ridges recorded 47 mm (4.7 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Middlemarch
Middlemarch recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Moa Flat
Moa Flat recorded 55 mm (5.5 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru
Oamaru recorded about 80 mm (8.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Oamaru recorded 125 mm (12.5 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Flooding
Washouts occurred on State Highway 1, from south of the Waitaki River through to Oamaru on the evening of the 21st, with some damage done to the highway.
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru Airport
Oamaru Airport recorded almost 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Oamaru Airport recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Palmerston
A Palmerston weather station recorded 123.9 mm (12.4 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 9am on the 22nd.
The Palmerston weather station recorded 89 mm (8.9 cm) of rain on the 20th.
The Palmerston weather station recorded 34.9 mm (3.5 cm) of rain on the 21st.
Palmerston recorded 153 mm (15.3 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Flooding
at
Pukeuri
SH1 was closed between Pukeuri and Seven Mile Road at 2am on the 21st and remained closed for most of the day. Some motorists drove around the barriers and became stuck in flood waters.
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Queenstown recorded 28 mm (2.8 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Ranfurly
Ranfurly recorded 38 mm (3.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Routeburn station
Routeburn Station recorded 57 mm (5.7 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipahi River East Branch
Slopedown recorded 24 mm (2.4 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Stoneburn
Stoneburn recorded 91 mm (9.1 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Sullivans Dam
Sullivans dam recorded 27 mm (2.7 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Sullivans dam recorded 48 mm (4.8 cm) of rain on the 21st.
Sullivans Dam recorded 148 mm (14.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Tima Burn
Tima recorded 34 mm (3.4 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Tuapeka Mouth
Tuapeka Mouth recorded 58 mm (5.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikoikoi
Waikoikoi recorded 55 mm (5.5 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikoura Creek
Waikoura recorded 107 mm (10.7 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
References
- Headline: South Canterbury river levels dropping but surface flooding remains.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 21 February 2009, 4:51pm.
- Headline: Mystery surrounding mass death of sparrows continues to flutter.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 21 February 2009, 6:04pm.
- Headline: Weather chaos brings crashes, power cut.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Winds blow festival away for the day.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Welcome rain for Cape.
- www.gisborneherald.co.nz, 23 February 2009.
- Headline: Coast MP in head-on.
- www.greystar.co.nz, 23 February 2009.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.). (2008). Climate summary for summer 2008-2009. Newsletter 116, March 2008. 6-14
- Headline: Flights disrupted.
- The News, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Damp weekend ahead.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 7:00am.
- Headline: Sewage overflowing into Wellington streets.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 11:24am.
- Headline: North Otago rivers flood.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 21 February 2009, 3:08pm.
- Headline: North Otago washouts.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 21 February 2009, 5:04pm.
- Headline: Looming rainstorm threatens wet and wild weekend.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 19 February 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Heavy downpours hit North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB, 20 February 2009, 12:07pm.
- Headline: Rain set to get blown away.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 21 February 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Rains cause accidents, sewage overflow.
- www.odt.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 7:05pm.
- Headline: Motorists skirt signs, travel on closed roads.
- www.odt.co.nz, 23 February 2009, 5:01am.
- Headline: North Otago cops worst of wet.
- www.odt.co.nz, 23 February 2009, 5:01am.
- Headline: February skies fickle over most regions.
- www.odt.co.nz, 14 March 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Downpours drench much of country.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 12:27pm.
- Headline: It's a very wet Friday just about everywhere.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 4:15pm.
- Headline: Farmers welcome Canterbury rain.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 February 2009, 9:47pm.
- Headline: Civil Defence Warning.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Canterbury Civil Defence, 21 February 2009, 2:24pm.
- Headline: Wellington deluge as country drenched.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Stuff.co.nz and Dominion Post, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Worst rain over for most - but not all.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Stuff.co.nz and Dominion Post, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Seven accidents before 11am.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post and NZPA, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Stay out of the water.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Harbour water test results today.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 23 February 2009.
- Headline: Taranaki bears brunt of bad weather.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Mystery as sparrows drop dead.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Heavy rain likely cause for death of sparrows.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 2009.
- Headline: Flooded rivers begin to drop.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Timaru Herald, 21 February 2009, 4:13pm.
- Headline: Power outages likely as bad weather continues.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 20 February 2009, 3:43pm.
- MetService Email Lists
February 2009 New Zealand Ex-tropical Cyclone Innis
(
2009-02-19
)
Heavy rain, high winds and minor flooding were experienced in many parts of New Zealand from Auckland to Stewart Island. The heaviest falls occurred in Taranaki, Canterbury and Otago. One woman died after her car rolled near Opotiki.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 19th until the 21st of February.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:45 am 19-Feb-2009: Widespread heavy rain expected over much of New Zealand on Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: North Island hill country from Kaimai Range to Taihape and from Mt Taranaki to eastern Bay of Plenty ranges, Tararua Range, Richmond Range to northwest Marlborough Sounds, northwest Nelson ranges and Westland ranges between Otira and Big Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:44 pm 19-Feb-2009: Widespread heavy rain over much of New Zealand on Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: The northern half of the North Island north of a line from Taranaki to Ruapehu to East Cape. Also the Tararua Ranges, the ranges of Nelson and Westland and the Marlborough Sounds.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 9:24 am 20-Feb-2009: Heavy rain over the North Island and northern South Island easing today. Heavy rain for Westland and eastern hills of South Canterbury and Otago continues into the weekend. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: North Island, north and including Mount Taranaki, Taihape and Bay of Plenty. Tararua Range, Richmond Range, Marlborough Sounds, Westland ranges south of Otira, eastern hills of Canterbury and Otago between Timaru and Balclutha. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warning lifted for northwest Nelson ranges.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:33 pm 20-Feb-2009: Heavy rain has now eased from all North Island areas. Further heavy rain for Westland and the hills of South Canterbury and eastern Otago Friday night and through Saturday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland ranges south of Otira and eastern hills of Canterbury and Otago between Timaru and Balclutha. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for all northern North Island districts, Tararua Ranges, and also Richmond Ranges and Marlborough Sounds.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:50 am 21-Feb-2009: Heavy rain in Westland easing this afternoon Rain all day in South Canterbury and eastern Otago but rain easing during the afternoon and evening. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland, Canterbury south of the Rangitata and eastern hills and ranges of Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:08 pm 21-Feb-2009: Rain has eased in Canterbury and Otago but further heavy falls for Westland on Sunday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Haast to Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Canterbury and Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:53 am 22-Feb-2009: Further heavy rain for Westland overnight. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Haast to Otira.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:04 am 23-Feb-2009: Further heavy rain for Westland today. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Haast to Otira.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:57 pm 22-Feb-2009: Heavy rain continuing in parts of Westland ranges until this afternoon. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Westland from Harihari to Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Westland ranges from Haast to Harihari.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 3:59 pm 23-Feb-2009: Heavy rain warning for ranges of Westland now lifted. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Westland between Otira and Harihari.
A deep, slow moving low pressure system was a combination of the low that had brought floods to New South Wales and the remains of Tropical Cyclone Innis near New Caledonia. The low moved into the central Tasman Sea on the 19th and onto the South Island on the 20th. Associated fronts sent heavy rain up the North Island and to the top of the South Island. A north-easterly flow to the south-east of the low brought heavy rain to the east of the South Island. The low remained slow-moving on the 21st, and slowly moved south-east on the 23rd and 24th.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
Heavy rain began to fall in some places on the night of the 19th. Torrential rain hit Auckland and the Waikato between 1pm and 2pm on the 20th.
There had been 12 traffic accidents in the upper North Island since the rain began. In the lower North Island heavy rain contributed to 14 minor traffic accidents.
Rain in the lower North Island had eased by late afternoon on the 20th.
South Island
Heavy Rain
at
South Island
Areas in the Waitaki district (South Canterbury/North Otago) experienced between 75 mm and 128 mm of rain, mostly on the night of the 20th and on the 21st.
The Waitaki emergency services manager partially activated the civil defence headquarters on the 21st to keep a watch on the rain.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland
The Northern motorway, from Albany to the Harbour Bridge, and the Southern Motorway, in the city bound lane, experiened serious traffic congestion as heavy rain fell.
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland City
Auckland recorded 37 mm (3.7 cm) of rain on the 20th.
A graduation procession down Queen Street for 1200 AUT students was cancelled due to the rain.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Whitianga
Whitianga received 80 mm (8.0 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Bay of Plenty
Multi Hazard
at
Bay of Plenty
Strong winds and rain caused havoc in the Bay of Plenty on the 20th.
Power was cut to 8000 Western Bay homes from about 1pm on the 20th, due to high winds blowing branches and other debris into powerlines and poles. The areas affected were Te Puke, Matapihi, Omanu, Te Maunga, Papamoa, Judea, Tauranga south, Parkvale, Omokoroa and Te Puna. By 4.30pm power had been restored to 2000 houses. At least 200 customers were still without power on the morning of the 21st.
There were about six weather-related car crashes in the Western Bay on the 20th.
High Wind / Gust
Dozens of fallen trees blocked roads.
Strong winds turned around traffic lights, making for difficult situations at intersections.
Heavy Rain
A car went off Pyes Pa Road in the wet and crashed into a shelter-belt tree at 8.15am on the 20th, leaving the driver with moderate injuries.
Flooding
There was surface flooding in some areas.
Flooding
at
Mount Maunganui
There was some minor flooding in buildings around Mount Maunganui. One house had minor flooding to the ceiling.
Heavy Rain
at
Opotiki
There was a fatal accident near Opotiki, in which a car rolled and the 66-year-old female driver later died.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tauranga
The Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Baypark was hit by strong winds on the 20th, which ripped through stalls, felled fences and blew over tents. The festival was cancelled for the day, for the first time in 36 years. Later, due to safety concerns, organisers evacuated the 200 media, volunteers, workers, VIPs and a small group of ticket holders.
Wind blew road signs about on Hewletts Road and around the harbour bridge roadworks.
The traffic lights at the intersection of Fraser Street and 15th Ave and Cameron Road and 15th Ave stopped working.
Emergency services attended incidents involving 21 fallen trees in the Tauranga area.
Flooding
There was some minor flooding in buildings around Tauranga.
High Wind / Gust
at
Te Puke
In Te Puke, a woman was trapped in her car when a tree fell on to it just after 1.30pm on the 20th.
Landslide
at
Waioeka River
There were slips in the Waioeka Gorge near Opotiki on the night of the 20th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Matawai
Matawai received 33.5 mm (3.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Hikurangi
The area around Mount Hikurangi recived up to 68.5 mm (6.9 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Araroa
Te Araroa recorded 122.5 mm (12.3 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikura River
The Waikura Valley recorded 119.5 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 8am on the 21st.
Taranaki
Heavy Rain
at
Taranaki
Heavy rain fell in Taranaki on the night of the 19th and during the 20th. The rainclouds were clearing by 3pm.
Flooding
The Waiwhakaiho River, Te Henui Stream and Waitara River rose significantly as the heavy rain fell.
Surface flooding affected many roads around Taranaki.
Heavy Rain
at
Dawson Falls
Dawson Falls received 174 mm (17.4 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Inglewood
Inglewood recorded 112 mm (11.2 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Taranaki
Mt Taranaki received 41.5 mm (4.2 cm) of rain in 1 hour.
Heavy Rain
at
New Plymouth
New Plymouth received 57 mm (5.7 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Hundreds of mainly juvenile sparrows fell to the ground from two trees in New Plymouth's main street, andy many of them died. Heavy rain was found to be the most likely cause.
There were two minor crashes on the morning of the 20th during the heavy rain.
Traffic was stopped at St Aubyn and Egmont Streets when water made its way into the traffic lights.
Multi Hazard
New Plymouth Airport was closed for most of the day on the 20th by low cloud and poor visibility.
Heavy Rain
at
North Egmont
North Egmont recorded 303 mm (30.3 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Stratford
Stratford received 65 mm (6.5 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Flooding
at
Levin
There was surface flooding on State Highway 1 and State Highway 57 near Levin and Manakau on the 20th. The flooding was quite deep in places and it slowed traffic.
Flooding
at
Palmerston North
There was serious flooding on a private property in Palmerston North.
Wellington
Heavy Rain
at
Kelburn
Kelburn received 62 mm (6.2 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Kilbirnie
There was serious flooding on a private property in Kilbirnie.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt received 83 mm (8.3 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Lyall Bay
The heavy rain caused overflows from a sewage pumping station on the South Coast near Lyall Bay. People were warned not to swim in the water on the 21st and 22nd.
Landslide
at
Rimutaka Hill
There were a number of slips on the Featherston side of Rimutaka Hill Road on State Highway 2 on the 20th.
Heavy Rain
at
Wellington City
Heavy rain caused surface flooding throughout Wellington and drains became blocked with debris.
Raw sewage overflowed into the Courtenay Place and Tory Street area after a blockage was exacerbated by the heavy rain. The mess was cleared up within two hours.
Wellington received 69 mm (6.9 cm) of rain on the 20th - more than the average rainfall for the whole month of February.
Flooding
A blocked sump caused knee-high flooding at one end of Lambton Quay.
Heavy Rain
at
Wellington Harbour
The heavy rain caused overflows from three sewage pumping stations into the harbour. The dishcarges occurred at Moa Point, near the international passenger terminal, and at Kaiwharawhara Stream. People were warned not to swim in the water.
Heavy Rain
at
Wellington International Airport
Wellington Airport received 20 mm (2.0 cm) of rain in 4 hours on the morning of the 20th.
Marlborough
Heavy Rain
at
Blenheim
Blenheim received about 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Tasman-Nelson
Parts of Nelson received about 30 mm (3.0 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Mapua
A panel van drifted across the road in the wet at Mapua, crossing three lanes of traffic and causing a three-car crash. One driver received minor injuries.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
West Coast
Parts of the West Coast received about 30 mm (3.0 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Westport
Flights in and out of Westport Airport were cancelled on the morning of the 20th due to poor weather conditions. A flight from Wellington was forced to return after it was unable to land at Westport.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Canterbury
The South Canterbury foothills received up to 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 36 hours from the 20th to the 21st.
Flooding
There were moderate flood conditions in South Canterbury rivers and streams. River levels peaked at about midday on the 21st.
There was extensive surface flooding in at least 10 places on SH1 between Timaru and Glenavy. There was also surface flooding on SH82 between Waimate and Kurow. Some minor roads were closed due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Ahuriri River
The Ahuriri River peaked at 60 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Chistchurch
Heavy rain contributed to a pile-up involving two cars and a bus at a busy Christchurch intersection.
Heavy Rain
at
Danseys Pass
Dansey Pass recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Fairlie
A Fairlie farm received around 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Maerewhenua River
The Maerewhenua River peaked at 111 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Cook
Mt Cook recorded 119 mm (11.9 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Omarama
Omarama basin recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Opihi River
The Opihi River at the Gorge had a flow of 128 cumecs on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Pareora River
The Pareora River had a peak flow of 410 cumecs at 10am on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Tengawai River
The Tengawai River had a peak flow of 255 cumecs on the 21st. On the 20th the river had a flow of only half a cumec.
Flooding
at
Waihao River
The Waihao River south of Waimate peaked at 231 cumecs.
Otago
Heavy Rain
at
Otago
North Otago experienced 24 hours of moderate to heavy rainfalls.
Flooding
Some North Otago rivers reached flood levels on the 21st.
Surface flooding affected many roads and culverts in North Otago.
Heavy Rain
at
Alexandra
Alexandra recorded 39 mm (3.9 cm) of rain from th 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Balclutha
Balclutha recorded 59 mm (5.9 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Clifton Falls homestead
Clifton Falls, in the Kakanui Valley, recorded 108 mm (10.8 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Clifton Falls recorded 110 mm (11.0 cm) of rain on the 20th and 21st.
Clifton Falls recorded 75 mm (7.5 cm) of rain on the 21st.
Clifton Falls recorded 7.5 mm (0.8 cm) of rain in 1 hour to 8am on the 21st.
Flooding
The Kakanui River rose about 2 m at Clifton Falls.
Heavy Rain
at
The Dasher homestead
The Dasher recorded 241 mm (24.1 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin
Musselburgh recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Pine Hill recorded 126 mm (12.6 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded 59 mm (5.9 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Forsyth
Clarks Flat recorded 88 mm (8.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Glenfinnan Stream
Glenfinnan recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Hawea Flat
Hawea Flat recorded 45 mm (4.5 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Hills Creek
Hills Creek recorded 48 mm (4.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Flooding
at
Kakanui River
The Kakanui River peaked at 500 cumecs on the 21st. It reached its first flood alarm of 50 cumecs at 8.20am and was flowing at over 220 cumecs at midday.
Low-lying farmland east of the Kakanui River bridge on SH1 was flooded.
Heavy Rain
at
Lindis Crossing
Lindis Crossing recorded 44 mm (4.4 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Makarora Station
Makarora Station recorded 133 mm (13.3 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungatua
Maungatua recorded 110 mm (11.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Merino Ridges
Merino Ridges recorded 47 mm (4.7 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Middlemarch
Middlemarch recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Moa Flat
Moa Flat recorded 55 mm (5.5 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru
Oamaru recorded about 80 mm (8.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Oamaru recorded 125 mm (12.5 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Flooding
Washouts occurred on State Highway 1, from south of the Waitaki River through to Oamaru on the evening of the 21st, with some damage done to the highway.
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru Airport
Oamaru Airport recorded almost 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Oamaru Airport recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Palmerston
A Palmerston weather station recorded 123.9 mm (12.4 cm) of rain in the 48 hours to 9am on the 22nd.
The Palmerston weather station recorded 89 mm (8.9 cm) of rain on the 20th.
The Palmerston weather station recorded 34.9 mm (3.5 cm) of rain on the 21st.
Palmerston recorded 153 mm (15.3 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Flooding
at
Pukeuri
SH1 was closed between Pukeuri and Seven Mile Road at 2am on the 21st and remained closed for most of the day. Some motorists drove around the barriers and became stuck in flood waters.
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Queenstown recorded 28 mm (2.8 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Ranfurly
Ranfurly recorded 38 mm (3.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Routeburn station
Routeburn Station recorded 57 mm (5.7 cm) of rain from the 19th till the 22nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipahi River East Branch
Slopedown recorded 24 mm (2.4 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Stoneburn
Stoneburn recorded 91 mm (9.1 cm) of rain from the 20th until 12pm on the 21st.
Heavy Rain
at
Sullivans Dam
Sullivans dam recorded 27 mm (2.7 cm) of rain on the 20th.
Sullivans dam recorded 48 mm (4.8 cm) of rain on the 21st.
Sullivans Dam recorded 148 mm (14.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Tima Burn
Tima recorded 34 mm (3.4 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Tuapeka Mouth
Tuapeka Mouth recorded 58 mm (5.8 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikoikoi
Waikoikoi recorded 55 mm (5.5 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Waikoura Creek
Waikoura recorded 107 mm (10.7 cm) of rain from the 20th till the 23rd.
References
- Headline: South Canterbury river levels dropping but surface flooding remains.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 21 February 2009, 4:51pm.
- Headline: Mystery surrounding mass death of sparrows continues to flutter.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 21 February 2009, 6:04pm.
- Headline: Weather chaos brings crashes, power cut.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Winds blow festival away for the day.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Welcome rain for Cape.
- www.gisborneherald.co.nz, 23 February 2009.
- Headline: Coast MP in head-on.
- www.greystar.co.nz, 23 February 2009.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.). (2008). Climate summary for summer 2008-2009. Newsletter 116, March 2008. 6-14
- Headline: Flights disrupted.
- The News, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Damp weekend ahead.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 7:00am.
- Headline: Sewage overflowing into Wellington streets.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 11:24am.
- Headline: North Otago rivers flood.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 21 February 2009, 3:08pm.
- Headline: North Otago washouts.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 21 February 2009, 5:04pm.
- Headline: Looming rainstorm threatens wet and wild weekend.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 19 February 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Heavy downpours hit North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB, 20 February 2009, 12:07pm.
- Headline: Rain set to get blown away.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 21 February 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Rains cause accidents, sewage overflow.
- www.odt.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 7:05pm.
- Headline: Motorists skirt signs, travel on closed roads.
- www.odt.co.nz, 23 February 2009, 5:01am.
- Headline: North Otago cops worst of wet.
- www.odt.co.nz, 23 February 2009, 5:01am.
- Headline: February skies fickle over most regions.
- www.odt.co.nz, 14 March 2009, 5:00am.
- Headline: Downpours drench much of country.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 12:27pm.
- Headline: It's a very wet Friday just about everywhere.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 20 February 2009, 4:15pm.
- Headline: Farmers welcome Canterbury rain.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 February 2009, 9:47pm.
- Headline: Civil Defence Warning.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Canterbury Civil Defence, 21 February 2009, 2:24pm.
- Headline: Wellington deluge as country drenched.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Stuff.co.nz and Dominion Post, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Worst rain over for most - but not all.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Stuff.co.nz and Dominion Post, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Seven accidents before 11am.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post and NZPA, 20 February 2009.
- Headline: Stay out of the water.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Harbour water test results today.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dominion Post, 23 February 2009.
- Headline: Taranaki bears brunt of bad weather.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Mystery as sparrows drop dead.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 2009.
- Headline: Heavy rain likely cause for death of sparrows.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 2009.
- Headline: Flooded rivers begin to drop.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Timaru Herald, 21 February 2009, 4:13pm.
- Headline: Power outages likely as bad weather continues.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: ONE News, 20 February 2009, 3:43pm.
- MetService Email Lists