NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
January 1932 Northland Flooding ( 1932-01-16 )
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Duration: 2 days - From the 16th till the 17th of January.
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 15th: " The indications are for variable and moderate breezes, with southerly moderate to strong winds prevailing. Expect dull weather, with much mist and fog in parts. Scattered rain is probable. The barometer is rising slowly. Seas, moderate swell, and tides moderate."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 16th: " The indications are for southerly winds, varying from moderate to gale, and later decreasing. The weather will probably prove cold and showery, but an improvement may be expected tomorrow. The barometer is rising slowly. The seas will be rough and the tides good."
Heavy Rain
Some of the southern parts of Northland received heavy rain on the 16th, described as a 'cloudburst'. It was the most unusual occurrence experienced for years.
Heavy Rain
at
Mareretu
Heavy rain fell over the Mareretu mountain at about 10am on the 16th.
Lightning
at
Ruakaka
Ruakaka experienced a thunderstorm on the evening of the 17th.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain followed the thunderstorm.
Flooding
at
Taipuha
An unprecedented flood surged down the Taipuha Stream and over the flat at the main north highway.
Many fences were flattened.
The cream wagon had a narrow escape when a wall of water about 2 ft (60 cm) high struck the roadway, carrying logs and debris.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipu
Waipu was the worst hit, particularly around Finlaysons Brook, North River and Mill Brook. Water came down in sheets for two hours.
Flooding
Many fences were swept away.
A bridge at Millbrook was wrecked.
Extensive damage was done in the big divide between Waipu and the Taipuha railway station.
Landslide
There were bad slips on all the roads except for the main road to Maungaturoto.
Multi Hazard
Damage to road and bridges in the Waipu county totalled £1,180 ($114,400 2008 dollars).
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 15 January 1932.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 16 January 1932.
- Headline: Cloud-burst: Serious flood in Waiapu.
- The Northern Advocate, 18 January 1932.
- Headline: A cloud-burst: Mareretu visitation.
- The Northern Advocate, 20 January 1932.
- Headline: Ruakaka.
- The Northern Advocate, 21 January 1932.
January 1932 Northland Flooding ( 1932-01-16 )
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Duration: 2 days - From the 16th till the 17th of January.
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 15th: " The indications are for variable and moderate breezes, with southerly moderate to strong winds prevailing. Expect dull weather, with much mist and fog in parts. Scattered rain is probable. The barometer is rising slowly. Seas, moderate swell, and tides moderate."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 16th: " The indications are for southerly winds, varying from moderate to gale, and later decreasing. The weather will probably prove cold and showery, but an improvement may be expected tomorrow. The barometer is rising slowly. The seas will be rough and the tides good."
Heavy Rain
Some of the southern parts of Northland received heavy rain on the 16th, described as a 'cloudburst'. It was the most unusual occurrence experienced for years.
Heavy Rain
at
Mareretu
Heavy rain fell over the Mareretu mountain at about 10am on the 16th.
Lightning
at
Ruakaka
Ruakaka experienced a thunderstorm on the evening of the 17th.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rain followed the thunderstorm.
Flooding
at
Taipuha
An unprecedented flood surged down the Taipuha Stream and over the flat at the main north highway.
Many fences were flattened.
The cream wagon had a narrow escape when a wall of water about 2 ft (60 cm) high struck the roadway, carrying logs and debris.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipu
Waipu was the worst hit, particularly around Finlaysons Brook, North River and Mill Brook. Water came down in sheets for two hours.
Flooding
Many fences were swept away.
A bridge at Millbrook was wrecked.
Extensive damage was done in the big divide between Waipu and the Taipuha railway station.
Landslide
There were bad slips on all the roads except for the main road to Maungaturoto.
Multi Hazard
Damage to road and bridges in the Waipu county totalled £1,180 ($114,400 2008 dollars).
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 15 January 1932.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 16 January 1932.
- Headline: Cloud-burst: Serious flood in Waiapu.
- The Northern Advocate, 18 January 1932.
- Headline: A cloud-burst: Mareretu visitation.
- The Northern Advocate, 20 January 1932.
- Headline: Ruakaka.
- The Northern Advocate, 21 January 1932.