NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
February 2020 South Island Flood ( 2020-02-03 )
Fronts within a very warm northwesterly flow brought very heavy rain to Westland, Fiordland and Southland. This caused severe flooding and slips across Fiordland, Southland, and South Otago.
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 2nd to 5th of February.
Insurance claims totalled $19.68 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:43 pm Saturday 01-Feb-2020. Prolonged heavy rain for the South Island west coast and gale westerlies in parts of southern and central New Zealand. A series of fronts are forecast to move east across the South Island from tonight (Saturday) through to Tuesday morning bringing periods of heavy rain to the west coast, and strong west to northwest winds to parts of southern and central New Zealand. A Heavy Rain Warning is in force for Fiordland, southern Westland and the headwaters of Otago Lakes and Rivers, and a Heavy Rain Watch is in force for the ranges of northern Westland. A Strong Wind Watch is in force for parts of southern and central New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 7:53 pm Sunday 02-Feb-2020. Significant heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island,and west to northwest gales in parts of southern New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:08 pm Monday 03-Feb-2020. Significant heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island,and west to northwest gales for parts of southern and central New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:12 pm Tuesday 04-Feb-2020. Heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island easing overnight Tuesday,and northwest gales continue for parts of the lower North Island.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:45 am Wednesday 05-Feb-2020. Heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island and northwest gales for parts of the lower North Island has now eased.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
A State of Emergency was declared for Southland on 4 February. It remained in place for almost a fortnight.
More than 100 dairy farms in Southland and South Otago were severely impacted by the flooding. Farms were either under water, had lost power or the access was cut off by floodwaters. Dairy companies were unable to collect milk from many farms, so the farmers had to dispose of the milk.
Flooding
at
Gore
At least 10 houses in low-lying parts of Gore were evacuated due to the flooding. A welfare centre was set up for those who had been evacuated from their homes, and also for tourists who were trapped by the flooding. The main bridge in Gore, over the Mataura River was closed to heavy traffic and pedestrians. Residents of Wyndam and Riversdale were asked to prepare to leave their homes if required.
It was estimated that the flooding caused $2 million of damage to the Gore Disrict Council’s infrastructure.
There was damage to three disused landfill sites – two at the old Gore landfill, and one in Mataura.
Flooding
at
Mataura
Residents of low lying parts in Mataura were evacuated due to the flooding. There was particular concern about the Mataura papermill being flooded, as it has been used to store ouvea premix, as it releases ammonia gas when it gets wet. .
Flooding
at
Fiordland
A State of Emergency was declared for Fiordland on 3 February.
Flooding
at
Milford Sound
More than 380 people were trapped at Milford Sound, following the closure of the Milford Road (which is the only road access in and out of Milford sound) due to flooding, slips and extensive damage to the road. The Milford Road opened to four-wheel-drive access one week after the flooding.
The rain gauge at Milford sound recorded 350mm of rain in 24 hours from 2-3 February.
The visitors’ carparks and terminal were flooded.
Flooding
at
Lumsden
SH6 from Lumsden to Frankton was closed due to flooding, as was SH97 from Mossburn through to SH6.
Flooding
at
Hollyford
Trampers were evacuated by helicopter from huts in the Hollyford, Pyke, Big Bay, and Martin’s Bay.
Landslide
at
Howden Hut
Howden Hut, on the Routeburn Track, was badly damaged when a landslide crashed into it. The hut shifted with the force of the landslide, and structural beams were buckled. Some people suffered minor cuts and bruising but no one was seriously injured. The 31 people who had been staying in the hut were evacuated by helicopter.
Otago
Flooding
at
Balclutha
At least 40 people spent the night in a refuge centre at the Balclutha recreation centre because of flooding from the Clutha River breaching its banks. Three state highways and 50 roads in the Clutha District were closed due to the flooding.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
Fox Glacier
Heavy rain closed SH6 south of Fox Glacier, due to a washout at a culvert near Haast. The heavy rain also caused power cuts from Fox Glacier south to Paringa.
References
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 160, Autumn 2020
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.)
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (https://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disasters/cost-of-natural-disasters/)
- Headline: West Coast power outages, highways closed by heavy rain.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 2 February 2020.
- Headline: Flooded Milford Sound leaves visitors stranded.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 3 February 2020.
- Headline: Trapped tourists to spend another night at Milford sound.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 4 February 2020.
- Headline: Southland flooding: State of Emergency declared.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Southland flooding: residents in low-lying areas told to evacuate.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Mataura River peaks, residents evacuated for 24 hours.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Trampers in Fiordland recall ‘roaring’ noise before hut is hit by a landslide.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Southland still in state of emergency with repairs set to cost millions.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 15 February 2020.
- Headline: Gore District Council counting cost of Southland floods.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 20 February 2020.
- Headline: Milford Road repairs expected to take a year as 4WD access restored.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 21 February 2020.
February 2020 South Island Flood ( 2020-02-03 )
Fronts within a very warm northwesterly flow brought very heavy rain to Westland, Fiordland and Southland. This caused severe flooding and slips across Fiordland, Southland, and South Otago.
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 2nd to 5th of February.
Insurance claims totalled $19.68 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:43 pm Saturday 01-Feb-2020. Prolonged heavy rain for the South Island west coast and gale westerlies in parts of southern and central New Zealand. A series of fronts are forecast to move east across the South Island from tonight (Saturday) through to Tuesday morning bringing periods of heavy rain to the west coast, and strong west to northwest winds to parts of southern and central New Zealand. A Heavy Rain Warning is in force for Fiordland, southern Westland and the headwaters of Otago Lakes and Rivers, and a Heavy Rain Watch is in force for the ranges of northern Westland. A Strong Wind Watch is in force for parts of southern and central New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 7:53 pm Sunday 02-Feb-2020. Significant heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island,and west to northwest gales in parts of southern New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:08 pm Monday 03-Feb-2020. Significant heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island,and west to northwest gales for parts of southern and central New Zealand.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:12 pm Tuesday 04-Feb-2020. Heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island easing overnight Tuesday,and northwest gales continue for parts of the lower North Island.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:45 am Wednesday 05-Feb-2020. Heavy rain for the west and south of the South Island and northwest gales for parts of the lower North Island has now eased.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
A State of Emergency was declared for Southland on 4 February. It remained in place for almost a fortnight.
More than 100 dairy farms in Southland and South Otago were severely impacted by the flooding. Farms were either under water, had lost power or the access was cut off by floodwaters. Dairy companies were unable to collect milk from many farms, so the farmers had to dispose of the milk.
Flooding
at
Gore
At least 10 houses in low-lying parts of Gore were evacuated due to the flooding. A welfare centre was set up for those who had been evacuated from their homes, and also for tourists who were trapped by the flooding. The main bridge in Gore, over the Mataura River was closed to heavy traffic and pedestrians. Residents of Wyndam and Riversdale were asked to prepare to leave their homes if required.
It was estimated that the flooding caused $2 million of damage to the Gore Disrict Council’s infrastructure.
There was damage to three disused landfill sites – two at the old Gore landfill, and one in Mataura.
Flooding
at
Mataura
Residents of low lying parts in Mataura were evacuated due to the flooding. There was particular concern about the Mataura papermill being flooded, as it has been used to store ouvea premix, as it releases ammonia gas when it gets wet. .
Flooding
at
Fiordland
A State of Emergency was declared for Fiordland on 3 February.
Flooding
at
Milford Sound
More than 380 people were trapped at Milford Sound, following the closure of the Milford Road (which is the only road access in and out of Milford sound) due to flooding, slips and extensive damage to the road. The Milford Road opened to four-wheel-drive access one week after the flooding.
The rain gauge at Milford sound recorded 350mm of rain in 24 hours from 2-3 February.
The visitors’ carparks and terminal were flooded.
Flooding
at
Lumsden
SH6 from Lumsden to Frankton was closed due to flooding, as was SH97 from Mossburn through to SH6.
Flooding
at
Hollyford
Trampers were evacuated by helicopter from huts in the Hollyford, Pyke, Big Bay, and Martin’s Bay.
Landslide
at
Howden Hut
Howden Hut, on the Routeburn Track, was badly damaged when a landslide crashed into it. The hut shifted with the force of the landslide, and structural beams were buckled. Some people suffered minor cuts and bruising but no one was seriously injured. The 31 people who had been staying in the hut were evacuated by helicopter.
Otago
Flooding
at
Balclutha
At least 40 people spent the night in a refuge centre at the Balclutha recreation centre because of flooding from the Clutha River breaching its banks. Three state highways and 50 roads in the Clutha District were closed due to the flooding.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
Fox Glacier
Heavy rain closed SH6 south of Fox Glacier, due to a washout at a culvert near Haast. The heavy rain also caused power cuts from Fox Glacier south to Paringa.
References
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 160, Autumn 2020
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.)
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (https://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disasters/cost-of-natural-disasters/)
- Headline: West Coast power outages, highways closed by heavy rain.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 2 February 2020.
- Headline: Flooded Milford Sound leaves visitors stranded.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 3 February 2020.
- Headline: Trapped tourists to spend another night at Milford sound.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 4 February 2020.
- Headline: Southland flooding: State of Emergency declared.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Southland flooding: residents in low-lying areas told to evacuate.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Mataura River peaks, residents evacuated for 24 hours.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Trampers in Fiordland recall ‘roaring’ noise before hut is hit by a landslide.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 5 February 2020.
- Headline: Southland still in state of emergency with repairs set to cost millions.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 15 February 2020.
- Headline: Gore District Council counting cost of Southland floods.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 20 February 2020.
- Headline: Milford Road repairs expected to take a year as 4WD access restored.
- www.rnz.co.nz, 21 February 2020.