NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
February 2009 North Island Storm ( 2009-02-27 )
A storm affected most places in the North Island, as well as a few places in the South Island, with heavy rain, flooding, high winds and heavy seas. Particularly heavy rain fell in Northland, the Coromandel and East Cape. Three people died in Northland in car accidents on wet roads.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 27th of February till the 1st of March.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:07 pm 26-Feb-2009: Spell of heavy rain and easterly gales expected in northern New Zealand overnight Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:39 pm 26-Feb-2009: Period of heavy rain and easterly gales expected in northern New Zealand overnight Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 9:16 am 27-Feb-2009: Period of heavy rain and easterly gales expected in northern New Zealand overnight Friday and during Saturday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland. Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau and Waikato north of Hamilton; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: parts of Auckland, inland Waikato west near the Kaimai Ranges and also the Firth of Thames area.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:54 pm 27-Feb-2009: Heavy rain and easterly gales already affecting Northland moving onto Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Bay of Plenty during Saturday morning. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland. Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Waikato; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Auckland, Waikato near the Kaimai Ranges and also the Firth of Thames.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 9:39 am 28-Feb-2009: A period of widespread rain over New Zealand Saturday and Sunday with heavy falls in the North Island and easterly gales today over northern and central New Zealand. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland. Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, the ranges of Gisborne and the central North Island; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Auckland, Waikato near the Kaimai Ranges and also the Firth of Thames, Manawatu, Kapiti Coast and Buller.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 4:33 pm 28-Feb-2009: Further heavy rain for upper North Island also Marlborough and easterly gales over central New Zealand. Heavy rain and gales have eased over Northland and Auckland. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato near the Kaimai Range, Bay of Plenty and the ranges of northern Gisborne and eastern Marlborough; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Manawatu, Kapiti Coast and Buller. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Northland and Auckland; and Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Auckland and Waikato.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:24 pm 28-Feb-2009: Heavy rain for the northeast of the North Island, also Marlborough, easing early Sunday. Heavy rain in the ranges of Westland during Sunday. Easterly gales over central New Zealand have now eased. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato near the Kaimai Range, Bay of Plenty, the ranges of northern Gisborne, the ranges of eastern Marlborough and the ranges of Westland south of Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Manawatu, Kapiti Coast and Buller.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:21 am 01-Mar-2009: Rain has cleared from all North Island areas and in Marlborough. Heavy rain today in the ranges of Westland. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: ranges of Westland south of Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for: Waikato near the Kaimai Ranges, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne ranges north of Tolaga Bay and for Marlborough.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:30 pm 01-Mar-2009: Heavy rain in the ranges of Westland has eased. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for: ranges of Westland south of Otira.
On the 27th, a deepening low moved onto the North Island from the north while a north-easterly flow covered the country. On the 28th, the low moved slowly south to the west fo the North Island while a slow-moving anticyclone was situated to the east of the South Island. On the 1st, the low moved south over the South Island.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
The storm brought heavy rain and high winds to the upper North Island overnight on the 27th.
The fire service was called out to at least 50 weather related incidents in Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty on the 28th, including minor flooding, lifting roofs and downed powerlines.
High Wind / Gust
The Fire Service received about 35 calls over a wide area of the North Island on the morning of the 28th. About 12 houses had their roofs damaged and a few trees were blown onto roads.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Unofficial reports put rainfall overnight on the 27th at well over 100 mm (10.0 cm) for parts of Northland, especially around the Bay of Islands.
Police attended at least 12 minor traffic accidents on the 27th and 28th that were attributed to the wet conditions.
High Wind / Gust
Winds gusted to more than 120 km/hr in some parts of Northland.
There were some power outages in the Far North.
Flooding
Rivers in the Far North were running high and fast on the morning of the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded 101 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Cape Reinga recorded 103 mm (10.3 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 27th and 28th.
Cape Reinga recorded a gust of 122 km/hr on the 27th.
Multi Hazard
at
Dargaville
The Northland Agricultural Field Days had to be cancelled on Saturday for the first time in 25 years due to rain. On the night of the 27th, high winds caused damage to about 40 per cent of the tent sites and further damage was caused early the next morning.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaeo
Kaeo recorded 138 mm (13.8 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Flooding
Kaeo was cut off by flooding on roads north of the intersection of State Highway 10 and Whangaroa Rd overnight on the 27th. The town was only accessible by four wheel drives and trucks until the water began to subside around 9am.
High Wind / Gust
There were a number of reports of minor roof damage and fallen trees.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 158 mm (15.8 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaiwaka
There was a two-car collision at Kaiwaka at about 10.30am on the 28th. Four people were taken to hospital, one with serious injuries.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Kerikeri recorded 138 mm (13.8 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Kerikeri recorded 132 mm (13.2 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 27th and 28th.
Flooding
The Kerikeri River peaked at about 3am on the 27th, reaching a few metres away from the Kemp House. It was much lower than the flood of July 2007, when less rain had fallen, as this time the bridge was not there to collect debris.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Mangawhai Harbour
Two people were rescued at about 3am on the 1st after waves pushed their 7m boat on to rocks at Mangawhai Harbour as they were exiting the harbour. One man received a twisted ankle.
The boat had a few holes made in it.
Multi Hazard
at
Mangonui
A sewage pumping station near Mangonui was out of action for a time.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Ruakaka
At Ruakaka, water had to be pumped out from 33 boats moored at the marina that were in danger of sinking, and one boat did sink.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipu
There was an accident near Waipu, in which a car and a truck collided on State Highway 1 near the northern end of the Waipu Bypass, shortly before 4pm on the 27th. The 22-year-old male car driver died after the car burst into flames and disintegrated.
Flooding
Two cars collided when one spun out on State Highway 1 near the summit of the Brynderwyns Hills near Waipu, at about 1.34pm on the 28th. Two Swedish tourists, the female driver and female front passenger of one car, both in their early 20s, were killed instantly. The accident was believed to be related to surface flooding.
The man and woman in the other car involved in the crash received minor injuries.
High Wind / Gust
at
Whangarei
At Kamo, the roof of a school was blown off.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Whangarei Harbour
A dinghy was overturned in the Whangarei Harbour in the early hours of the 1st.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain in Whangarei caused a sewage overflow at the Okara Park Pumping Station between 3am and 6am on the 28th. People were warned not to swim or gather shellfish in the harbour. 1400 cubic metres of sewage was spilt into the harbour, but only a small amount of it was raw.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei Heads
An accident occurred on Reotahi Rd at Whangarei Heads just after 3pm, in which two cars collided. One person was reported to have chest and facial injuries.
Auckland
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland
Winds gusted up to 120 km/hr around Auckland's harbours.
Overnight on the 27th, about 8000 Auckland Vector customers lost power for a short time. The power cuts occurred on the North Shore and to the west and north west of Auckland in areas including Coatesville, South Head, Muriwai, Karekare, Waiwera, Swanson, Waitoki, Woodhill and Kaipara Flats. About 70 houses on the North Shore lost power after an oak tree fell on powerlines on the 28th.
The winds lifted some house roofs in Auckland.
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland City
There were gusts of 80 to 90 km/hr in Auckland City.
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland Harbour Bridge
The traffic speed on Auckland Harbour Bridge was reduced to 60 km/hr overnight on the 27th as a precaution.
Multi Hazard
at
Ellerslie
The $2.2 million New Zealand Derby meeting at the Ellerslie racecourse had to be postponed due to weather conditions for the first time in its history.
Landslide
at
Glenfield
Conditions at Mulberry Place in Glenfield, where landslips occurred on properties in late July 2008, worsened following the storm on the 27th and 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hauraki Gulf
Winds gusted up to 110 km/hr in the Hauraki Gulf.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaukapakapa
About 350 houses in the Kaukapakapa area lost power.
Multi Hazard
at
Tapora
Four people spent a night adrift in stormy seas in the Kaipara Harbour clinging to a plastic bin after they were washed out to sea while fishing for flounder and piper at Tapora. At around 11pm on the 27th, rain, wind and darkness had caused them to become disoriented. They eventually struggled ashore 8km north of Pouto Lighthouse at about 7am on the 28th.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Torrential rain on the Coromandel Peninsula made driving hazardous.
Heavy Rain
at
Castle Rock
Castle Rock received 195 mm (19.5 cm) of rain in the 30 hours to 6pm on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Channel Island
There were winds of between 35 and 40 knots (65-74 km/hr) near Channel Island on the morning of the 28th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Coromandel Harbour
A 51-foot launch ran aground in Coromandel Harbour and to be rescued, with two people on board.
Heavy Rain
at
Golden Cross
Golden Cross received 187 mm (18.7 cm) of rain in the 30 hours to 6pm on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hamilton
Hamilton recorded a gust of 70 km/hr on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Paeroa
Winds gusted to over 80 km/hr in Paeroa.
High Wind / Gust
at
Te Aroha
Te Aroha experienced winds of up to 110 km/hr.
Power lines were downed by the winds and some people were reported to have lost power for nearly two hours.
High winds smashed windows and lifted house roofs in Te Aroha.
Small branches were broken off trees.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tirau
The road between Tirau and Hamilton was closed after a truck carrying dangerous chemicals overturned north of Tirau.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty experienced heavy rain on the afternoon of the 28th.
Flooding
Some Bay of Plenty roads were flooded.
Flooding
at
Katikati
The Uretara Stream, at the back of Wanderlust Backpackers, burst its banks on the afternoon of the 28th, sending a torrent of water through the bottom storey of the building. Carpets and couches were left sodden, cabinets were swollen and electrical appliances were fried. Across the carpark, muddy water swept around garage sale goods donated to the St Pius fundraising efforts to build a church.
The water in the backpackers rose to a height of between ankle- and knee-deep.
The owners of the laundromat next door to the backpackers faced a $12,000 bill, as they had bought it only two weeks prior and had not yet insured it. Katikati Auto Electrical Services, in the same building, was also flooded.
The water in the laundromat was thigh-deep.
Residents who had lived in the town for 37 years and said this was the worst flooding they had seen.
Surface flooding affected the intersection of State Highway 2 and Beach Road in Katikati. Part of the highway was closed on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Tauranga
Tauranga experienced heavy rain all day on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
Tauranga recorded a gust of 83 km/hr on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Puke
Te Puke recorded 120 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 27th and 28th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Torrential rain fell on the East Cape.
Most hill country farm areas on the East Cape received between 40 mm and 70 mm of rain.
The rain delayed tomato harvesting for two days.
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne City
Gisborne recorded 14.5 mm (1.5 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Hicks Bay
The road on the Hicks Bay hill was under a couple of feet of water at one stage.
Heavy Rain
at
Rere
Rere received 75 mm (7.5 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Araroa
Te Araroa experienced a torrential downpour on the 28th, which broke all the rainfall records for the area.
Hicks Bay and Te Araroa received 265 mm (26.5 cm) of rain.
Hicks Bay and Te Araroa received 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in under two hours.
Te Araroa recorded 246 mm (24.6 cm) of rain on the 28th, most of which fell between 3pm and 6pm.
Te Araroa recorded 53.5 mm (5.4 cm) of rain in 1 hour from 4pm to 5pm on the 28th.
The average return frequency was estimated to be in excess of a 150-year event.
Flooding
The rain overwhelmed drains, and surface water caused damage to local roads.
Two houses were inundated.
About 40 people were evacuated from the camping ground after a small stream became flooded, threatening cabins, tents and campervans.
State Highway 35 was closed for about six hours due to heavy surface flooding across the flats between the Te Araroa and Hicks Bay.
Landslide
There were also slips across one lane on several parts of State Highway 35.
Heavy Rain
at
Waingake
The area around the Waingake water catchment received 40 mm (4.0 cm) of rain.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Hawkes Bay received heavy rain on the morning of the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
The Mission Estate Concert in Napier was cancelled for the first time in 17 years due to the danger from excessive water and mud. The creek running under the main stage was also rising as debris blocking drainage points. Insurance was expected to cover the $3 million loss from the 25,000 ticket holders.
Manawatu-Wanganui
High Wind / Gust
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
High winds were experienced between Waiouru and Taihape.
Flooding
at
Aokautere
The Pahiatua Track (Pahiatua Aokautere Road) was closed on the night of the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Levin
In Levin, branches came down on powerlines.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Pauatahanui
Grays Road at Pauatahanui was closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Porirua
There were at least three crashes in Porirua on the 28th.
Multi Hazard
at
Rimutaka Hill
In a weather-related incident, a car drove into a bank on the Rimutaka Hill.
West Coast
High Wind / Gust
at
Westport
The weather centre at The News recorded a north-westerly gust of 85 km/hr at about 2:30am on the 1st. There were probably higher gusts in exposed places.
Power was cut to over 200 homes early on the morning of the 1st - about 150 homes between Okari and Meybille Bay, 30 on Alma and McPadden roads, 25 at Te Kuha, 10 at Fairdown, and eight in Westport. Power was restored to all homes that day, most in the morning. Falling trees downed multiple power lines on Alma Road at about 6:30am and there were also downed service lines on Russell Street.
The water supply was affected after the wind stirred up the water in the open reservoirs. Silt was swept into the treatment plant and ended up in the water supply.
One roof was lifted, a sheet of iron was flung through a window, and trees and fences were felled by the winds.
Alma Road was closed until mid-afternoon due to the fallen power lines.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Canterbury
Rain spread into Canterbury as the low pressure system moved south.
References
- Headline: Civil Defence on standby ahead of stormy weather.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 27 February 2009, 10:52am.
- Headline: Wild weather lashes North Island.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 28 February 2009, 6:10pm.
- Headline: Lionel Richie fans miss out after heavy rain ends concert.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 1 March 2009, 6:44pm.
- Headline: Didn't rain - it poured.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Cape flooded but rain welcome here.
- www.gisborneherald.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Best rain falls inland, record at Te Araroa.
- www.gisborneherald.co.nz, 3 March 2009.
- Headline: Mission impossible.
- www.hbtoday.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.). (2008). Climate summary for summer 2008-2009. Newsletter 116, March 2008. 6-14
- Headline: Gale wreaks havoc.
- The News, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Sub-tropical storm on the way.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 26 February 2009, 6:09pm.
- Headline: Stay home this weekend - Civil Defence.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 27 February 2009, 1:39pm.
- Headline: Storm brings flooding to Northland town.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 8:08am.
- Headline: Flood team on standby.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 11:15am.
- Headline: Wind and rain spreading south.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 1:20pm.
- Headline: Far North cleanup.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 3:16pm.
- Headline: Crash on Brynderwyns.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 5:08pm.
- Headline: Weather system moves south.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 5:12pm.
- Headline: No Lionel Richie concert.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 6:56pm.
- Headline: Driver dies near Waipu.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 28 February 2009.
- Headline: Faith and plastic bin save 4 in sea drama.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: 3 die in SH1 crashes - horror weekend on roads.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Storm causes flap in tent town.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Storm damage - two big events called off, boats get swamped.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Spill mainly stormwater: council.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 3 March 2009.
- Headline: Plenty of water but few problems as storm hits Northland.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA and weatherwatch.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 11:30am.
- Headline: Two die on the road as heavy rains lash North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 28 February 2009, 6:25pm.
- Headline: Driver dies as car shatters after hitting truck.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 1 March 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Rain puts a stop to Richie's act.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 1 March 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Storm moves south after drenching north.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 1 March 2009, 3:56pm.
- Headline: Kemp House ‘high and dry’ despite rising river.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Historic Places Trust, 2 March 2009, 4:13pm.
- Headline: Swedish tourists killed in storm crash.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 1 March 2009.
- Headline: Rain stops show.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dargaville News, 5 March 2009, 1:06pm.
- Headline: Bad weather cannot deter Rodney events.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Rodney Times, 4 March 2009, 12:07pm.
- Headline: It's a washout.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Sunday News, 28 February 2009, 10:21pm.
- Headline: Weather wreaks havoc in the north.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Sunday Sat Times, 1 March 2009.
- Headline: Heavy rain pounds North Island.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 28 February 2009, 6:05pm.
- MetService Email Lists
February 2009 North Island Storm ( 2009-02-27 )
A storm affected most places in the North Island, as well as a few places in the South Island, with heavy rain, flooding, high winds and heavy seas. Particularly heavy rain fell in Northland, the Coromandel and East Cape. Three people died in Northland in car accidents on wet roads.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 27th of February till the 1st of March.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 12:07 pm 26-Feb-2009: Spell of heavy rain and easterly gales expected in northern New Zealand overnight Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:39 pm 26-Feb-2009: Period of heavy rain and easterly gales expected in northern New Zealand overnight Friday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 9:16 am 27-Feb-2009: Period of heavy rain and easterly gales expected in northern New Zealand overnight Friday and during Saturday. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland. Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau and Waikato north of Hamilton; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: parts of Auckland, inland Waikato west near the Kaimai Ranges and also the Firth of Thames area.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:54 pm 27-Feb-2009: Heavy rain and easterly gales already affecting Northland moving onto Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Bay of Plenty during Saturday morning. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland. Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Waikato; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Auckland, Waikato near the Kaimai Ranges and also the Firth of Thames.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 9:39 am 28-Feb-2009: A period of widespread rain over New Zealand Saturday and Sunday with heavy falls in the North Island and easterly gales today over northern and central New Zealand. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Northland. Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, the ranges of Gisborne and the central North Island; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Auckland, Waikato near the Kaimai Ranges and also the Firth of Thames, Manawatu, Kapiti Coast and Buller.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 4:33 pm 28-Feb-2009: Further heavy rain for upper North Island also Marlborough and easterly gales over central New Zealand. Heavy rain and gales have eased over Northland and Auckland. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato near the Kaimai Range, Bay of Plenty and the ranges of northern Gisborne and eastern Marlborough; and STRONG WIND WARNING for: Manawatu, Kapiti Coast and Buller. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for Northland and Auckland; and Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Auckland and Waikato.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 8:24 pm 28-Feb-2009: Heavy rain for the northeast of the North Island, also Marlborough, easing early Sunday. Heavy rain in the ranges of Westland during Sunday. Easterly gales over central New Zealand have now eased. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato near the Kaimai Range, Bay of Plenty, the ranges of northern Gisborne, the ranges of eastern Marlborough and the ranges of Westland south of Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Strong Wind Warnings lifted for Manawatu, Kapiti Coast and Buller.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:21 am 01-Mar-2009: Rain has cleared from all North Island areas and in Marlborough. Heavy rain today in the ranges of Westland. Includes HEAVY RAIN WARNING for: ranges of Westland south of Otira. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for: Waikato near the Kaimai Ranges, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne ranges north of Tolaga Bay and for Marlborough.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 7:30 pm 01-Mar-2009: Heavy rain in the ranges of Westland has eased. WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE: Heavy Rain Warnings lifted for: ranges of Westland south of Otira.
On the 27th, a deepening low moved onto the North Island from the north while a north-easterly flow covered the country. On the 28th, the low moved slowly south to the west fo the North Island while a slow-moving anticyclone was situated to the east of the South Island. On the 1st, the low moved south over the South Island.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
The storm brought heavy rain and high winds to the upper North Island overnight on the 27th.
The fire service was called out to at least 50 weather related incidents in Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty on the 28th, including minor flooding, lifting roofs and downed powerlines.
High Wind / Gust
The Fire Service received about 35 calls over a wide area of the North Island on the morning of the 28th. About 12 houses had their roofs damaged and a few trees were blown onto roads.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Unofficial reports put rainfall overnight on the 27th at well over 100 mm (10.0 cm) for parts of Northland, especially around the Bay of Islands.
Police attended at least 12 minor traffic accidents on the 27th and 28th that were attributed to the wet conditions.
High Wind / Gust
Winds gusted to more than 120 km/hr in some parts of Northland.
There were some power outages in the Far North.
Flooding
Rivers in the Far North were running high and fast on the morning of the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded 101 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Cape Reinga recorded 103 mm (10.3 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 27th and 28th.
Cape Reinga recorded a gust of 122 km/hr on the 27th.
Multi Hazard
at
Dargaville
The Northland Agricultural Field Days had to be cancelled on Saturday for the first time in 25 years due to rain. On the night of the 27th, high winds caused damage to about 40 per cent of the tent sites and further damage was caused early the next morning.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaeo
Kaeo recorded 138 mm (13.8 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Flooding
Kaeo was cut off by flooding on roads north of the intersection of State Highway 10 and Whangaroa Rd overnight on the 27th. The town was only accessible by four wheel drives and trucks until the water began to subside around 9am.
High Wind / Gust
There were a number of reports of minor roof damage and fallen trees.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 158 mm (15.8 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaiwaka
There was a two-car collision at Kaiwaka at about 10.30am on the 28th. Four people were taken to hospital, one with serious injuries.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Kerikeri recorded 138 mm (13.8 cm) of rain in the 30 hours from 12pm on the 27th to 6pm on the 28th.
Kerikeri recorded 132 mm (13.2 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 27th and 28th.
Flooding
The Kerikeri River peaked at about 3am on the 27th, reaching a few metres away from the Kemp House. It was much lower than the flood of July 2007, when less rain had fallen, as this time the bridge was not there to collect debris.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Mangawhai Harbour
Two people were rescued at about 3am on the 1st after waves pushed their 7m boat on to rocks at Mangawhai Harbour as they were exiting the harbour. One man received a twisted ankle.
The boat had a few holes made in it.
Multi Hazard
at
Mangonui
A sewage pumping station near Mangonui was out of action for a time.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Ruakaka
At Ruakaka, water had to be pumped out from 33 boats moored at the marina that were in danger of sinking, and one boat did sink.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipu
There was an accident near Waipu, in which a car and a truck collided on State Highway 1 near the northern end of the Waipu Bypass, shortly before 4pm on the 27th. The 22-year-old male car driver died after the car burst into flames and disintegrated.
Flooding
Two cars collided when one spun out on State Highway 1 near the summit of the Brynderwyns Hills near Waipu, at about 1.34pm on the 28th. Two Swedish tourists, the female driver and female front passenger of one car, both in their early 20s, were killed instantly. The accident was believed to be related to surface flooding.
The man and woman in the other car involved in the crash received minor injuries.
High Wind / Gust
at
Whangarei
At Kamo, the roof of a school was blown off.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Whangarei Harbour
A dinghy was overturned in the Whangarei Harbour in the early hours of the 1st.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain in Whangarei caused a sewage overflow at the Okara Park Pumping Station between 3am and 6am on the 28th. People were warned not to swim or gather shellfish in the harbour. 1400 cubic metres of sewage was spilt into the harbour, but only a small amount of it was raw.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei Heads
An accident occurred on Reotahi Rd at Whangarei Heads just after 3pm, in which two cars collided. One person was reported to have chest and facial injuries.
Auckland
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland
Winds gusted up to 120 km/hr around Auckland's harbours.
Overnight on the 27th, about 8000 Auckland Vector customers lost power for a short time. The power cuts occurred on the North Shore and to the west and north west of Auckland in areas including Coatesville, South Head, Muriwai, Karekare, Waiwera, Swanson, Waitoki, Woodhill and Kaipara Flats. About 70 houses on the North Shore lost power after an oak tree fell on powerlines on the 28th.
The winds lifted some house roofs in Auckland.
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland City
There were gusts of 80 to 90 km/hr in Auckland City.
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland Harbour Bridge
The traffic speed on Auckland Harbour Bridge was reduced to 60 km/hr overnight on the 27th as a precaution.
Multi Hazard
at
Ellerslie
The $2.2 million New Zealand Derby meeting at the Ellerslie racecourse had to be postponed due to weather conditions for the first time in its history.
Landslide
at
Glenfield
Conditions at Mulberry Place in Glenfield, where landslips occurred on properties in late July 2008, worsened following the storm on the 27th and 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hauraki Gulf
Winds gusted up to 110 km/hr in the Hauraki Gulf.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaukapakapa
About 350 houses in the Kaukapakapa area lost power.
Multi Hazard
at
Tapora
Four people spent a night adrift in stormy seas in the Kaipara Harbour clinging to a plastic bin after they were washed out to sea while fishing for flounder and piper at Tapora. At around 11pm on the 27th, rain, wind and darkness had caused them to become disoriented. They eventually struggled ashore 8km north of Pouto Lighthouse at about 7am on the 28th.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Torrential rain on the Coromandel Peninsula made driving hazardous.
Heavy Rain
at
Castle Rock
Castle Rock received 195 mm (19.5 cm) of rain in the 30 hours to 6pm on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Channel Island
There were winds of between 35 and 40 knots (65-74 km/hr) near Channel Island on the morning of the 28th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Coromandel Harbour
A 51-foot launch ran aground in Coromandel Harbour and to be rescued, with two people on board.
Heavy Rain
at
Golden Cross
Golden Cross received 187 mm (18.7 cm) of rain in the 30 hours to 6pm on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hamilton
Hamilton recorded a gust of 70 km/hr on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Paeroa
Winds gusted to over 80 km/hr in Paeroa.
High Wind / Gust
at
Te Aroha
Te Aroha experienced winds of up to 110 km/hr.
Power lines were downed by the winds and some people were reported to have lost power for nearly two hours.
High winds smashed windows and lifted house roofs in Te Aroha.
Small branches were broken off trees.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tirau
The road between Tirau and Hamilton was closed after a truck carrying dangerous chemicals overturned north of Tirau.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty experienced heavy rain on the afternoon of the 28th.
Flooding
Some Bay of Plenty roads were flooded.
Flooding
at
Katikati
The Uretara Stream, at the back of Wanderlust Backpackers, burst its banks on the afternoon of the 28th, sending a torrent of water through the bottom storey of the building. Carpets and couches were left sodden, cabinets were swollen and electrical appliances were fried. Across the carpark, muddy water swept around garage sale goods donated to the St Pius fundraising efforts to build a church.
The water in the backpackers rose to a height of between ankle- and knee-deep.
The owners of the laundromat next door to the backpackers faced a $12,000 bill, as they had bought it only two weeks prior and had not yet insured it. Katikati Auto Electrical Services, in the same building, was also flooded.
The water in the laundromat was thigh-deep.
Residents who had lived in the town for 37 years and said this was the worst flooding they had seen.
Surface flooding affected the intersection of State Highway 2 and Beach Road in Katikati. Part of the highway was closed on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Tauranga
Tauranga experienced heavy rain all day on the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
Tauranga recorded a gust of 83 km/hr on the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Puke
Te Puke recorded 120 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 27th and 28th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Torrential rain fell on the East Cape.
Most hill country farm areas on the East Cape received between 40 mm and 70 mm of rain.
The rain delayed tomato harvesting for two days.
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne City
Gisborne recorded 14.5 mm (1.5 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Hicks Bay
The road on the Hicks Bay hill was under a couple of feet of water at one stage.
Heavy Rain
at
Rere
Rere received 75 mm (7.5 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Araroa
Te Araroa experienced a torrential downpour on the 28th, which broke all the rainfall records for the area.
Hicks Bay and Te Araroa received 265 mm (26.5 cm) of rain.
Hicks Bay and Te Araroa received 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in under two hours.
Te Araroa recorded 246 mm (24.6 cm) of rain on the 28th, most of which fell between 3pm and 6pm.
Te Araroa recorded 53.5 mm (5.4 cm) of rain in 1 hour from 4pm to 5pm on the 28th.
The average return frequency was estimated to be in excess of a 150-year event.
Flooding
The rain overwhelmed drains, and surface water caused damage to local roads.
Two houses were inundated.
About 40 people were evacuated from the camping ground after a small stream became flooded, threatening cabins, tents and campervans.
State Highway 35 was closed for about six hours due to heavy surface flooding across the flats between the Te Araroa and Hicks Bay.
Landslide
There were also slips across one lane on several parts of State Highway 35.
Heavy Rain
at
Waingake
The area around the Waingake water catchment received 40 mm (4.0 cm) of rain.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Hawkes Bay received heavy rain on the morning of the 28th.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
The Mission Estate Concert in Napier was cancelled for the first time in 17 years due to the danger from excessive water and mud. The creek running under the main stage was also rising as debris blocking drainage points. Insurance was expected to cover the $3 million loss from the 25,000 ticket holders.
Manawatu-Wanganui
High Wind / Gust
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
High winds were experienced between Waiouru and Taihape.
Flooding
at
Aokautere
The Pahiatua Track (Pahiatua Aokautere Road) was closed on the night of the 28th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Levin
In Levin, branches came down on powerlines.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Pauatahanui
Grays Road at Pauatahanui was closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Porirua
There were at least three crashes in Porirua on the 28th.
Multi Hazard
at
Rimutaka Hill
In a weather-related incident, a car drove into a bank on the Rimutaka Hill.
West Coast
High Wind / Gust
at
Westport
The weather centre at The News recorded a north-westerly gust of 85 km/hr at about 2:30am on the 1st. There were probably higher gusts in exposed places.
Power was cut to over 200 homes early on the morning of the 1st - about 150 homes between Okari and Meybille Bay, 30 on Alma and McPadden roads, 25 at Te Kuha, 10 at Fairdown, and eight in Westport. Power was restored to all homes that day, most in the morning. Falling trees downed multiple power lines on Alma Road at about 6:30am and there were also downed service lines on Russell Street.
The water supply was affected after the wind stirred up the water in the open reservoirs. Silt was swept into the treatment plant and ended up in the water supply.
One roof was lifted, a sheet of iron was flung through a window, and trees and fences were felled by the winds.
Alma Road was closed until mid-afternoon due to the fallen power lines.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Canterbury
Rain spread into Canterbury as the low pressure system moved south.
References
- Headline: Civil Defence on standby ahead of stormy weather.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 27 February 2009, 10:52am.
- Headline: Wild weather lashes North Island.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 28 February 2009, 6:10pm.
- Headline: Lionel Richie fans miss out after heavy rain ends concert.
- www.3news.co.nz, Source: 3 News, 1 March 2009, 6:44pm.
- Headline: Didn't rain - it poured.
- www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Cape flooded but rain welcome here.
- www.gisborneherald.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Best rain falls inland, record at Te Araroa.
- www.gisborneherald.co.nz, 3 March 2009.
- Headline: Mission impossible.
- www.hbtoday.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.). (2008). Climate summary for summer 2008-2009. Newsletter 116, March 2008. 6-14
- Headline: Gale wreaks havoc.
- The News, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Sub-tropical storm on the way.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 26 February 2009, 6:09pm.
- Headline: Stay home this weekend - Civil Defence.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 27 February 2009, 1:39pm.
- Headline: Storm brings flooding to Northland town.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 8:08am.
- Headline: Flood team on standby.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 11:15am.
- Headline: Wind and rain spreading south.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 1:20pm.
- Headline: Far North cleanup.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 3:16pm.
- Headline: Crash on Brynderwyns.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 5:08pm.
- Headline: Weather system moves south.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 5:12pm.
- Headline: No Lionel Richie concert.
- www.newstalkzb.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 6:56pm.
- Headline: Driver dies near Waipu.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 28 February 2009.
- Headline: Faith and plastic bin save 4 in sea drama.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: 3 die in SH1 crashes - horror weekend on roads.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Storm causes flap in tent town.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Storm damage - two big events called off, boats get swamped.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 2 March 2009.
- Headline: Spill mainly stormwater: council.
- www.northernadvocate.co.nz, 3 March 2009.
- Headline: Plenty of water but few problems as storm hits Northland.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA and weatherwatch.co.nz, 28 February 2009, 11:30am.
- Headline: Two die on the road as heavy rains lash North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 28 February 2009, 6:25pm.
- Headline: Driver dies as car shatters after hitting truck.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 1 March 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Rain puts a stop to Richie's act.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 1 March 2009, 4:00am.
- Headline: Storm moves south after drenching north.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 1 March 2009, 3:56pm.
- Headline: Kemp House ‘high and dry’ despite rising river.
- www.scoop.co.nz, Source: Historic Places Trust, 2 March 2009, 4:13pm.
- Headline: Swedish tourists killed in storm crash.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 1 March 2009.
- Headline: Rain stops show.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Dargaville News, 5 March 2009, 1:06pm.
- Headline: Bad weather cannot deter Rodney events.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Rodney Times, 4 March 2009, 12:07pm.
- Headline: It's a washout.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Sunday News, 28 February 2009, 10:21pm.
- Headline: Weather wreaks havoc in the north.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: Sunday Sat Times, 1 March 2009.
- Headline: Heavy rain pounds North Island.
- tvnz.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 28 February 2009, 6:05pm.
- MetService Email Lists