NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
January 1980 South Island Weather Bomb
(
1980-01-16
)
100 years
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 16th till the 18th of January.
An unusually deep depression developed just east of Otago. The deepening rate of the low was 1.6 bergeron, putting it well within the definition of a “bomb”. Northwesterlies brought moist, tropical air onto New Zealand and the subsequent strong baroclinicity, along with increasing shear vorticity, were major contributors to the development of the low. The strong upward motion field and the strong onshore southerly winds that resulted led to a different distribution of rainfall than in the 1978 event.
Stock losses were estimated at 15,000-17,000 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Heavy Rain
Flood-producing rains occurred within a 24-hour period from 2pm on the 16th to 2pm on the 17th.
The rain was largely distributed in resonse to orographic stimulation. The heaviest rains occurred in the Catlins Ranges of the Otago-Southland border as well as in the Pomahaka, Waikaka and Waikaia catchments. The rainfalls in the Pomahaka, Waikaia and Waikaka catchments were higher than in the 1978 event by about 25 mm. This also affected the headwaters of the Taieri River more than in 1978.
The area where the maximum 24-hour falls exceeded a 50 year return period for this event was slightly smaller than and displaced a little towards the southwest of the 1978, 1980 and 1984 events.
Flooding
Parts of Otago and Southland experienced extremely severe flooding for the second time in 15 months (similar event in October 1878).
Flooding was caused by the rain persisting with a moderate to heavy intensity over a period of some 20 hours at each site. The Clutha and Mataura Rivers received heavy rain only in the lower parts of their catchments but their tributaries the Waikaia, Waikaka and Pomohaka experienced floods similar to those in 1978.
Damage from the floods was $11.00 million (2004) ($12,669,100 2008 dollars).
Insurance industry payouts totalled $2,300,000 ($10,066,200 2008 dollars).
High Wind / Gust
Gale to storm force winds contributed greatly to exposure and consequent stock losses.
There was significant wind damage to structures and trees.
Canterbury
High Wind / Gust
at
Aviemore
Aviemore recorded a peak wind gust of 104 knots (193 km/hr) on the 17th (220 degrees true).
High Wind / Gust
at
Waitaki River
High winds buffeted the Waitaki Valley on the 17th.
Tree were brought down and power and telephone lines were cut.
One orchard in Waitaki Valley lost about 40 heavily laden older Moorpark apricot trees and about 60 percent of its apple crop.
Flooding
The Waitaki River was running at more than three times it normal volume of the 17th.
Otago
Flooding
at
Otago
In West Otago damage was done to roads, the railway and to telephone lines.
Scores of roads were closed and several bridges were washed away.
Due to massive evacuations in the Clutha delta, stock losses were comparatively light.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Milton Borough, Bruce County, Kaitangata Borough, Clutha County and Balclutha Borough from the 17th till the 18th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Tuapeka County from the 17th till the 21st. The declaration inlcuded Kelso and Waitahuna.
The railway line between Dunedin and Invercargill was scoured in many places and services did not resume until the 19th. All rail links south of Dunedin were opened on the 19th.
It was the second disastrous flood to hit the region withinn 15 months.
Stock losses have reached well over the 18,000 mark which include thousands of newly shorn lambs. The timing of the flood proved fatal as many newly shorn sheep died from exposure. Only about 50 dead cattle had been reported as of the 22nd of January.
Heavy Rain
at
Balclutha
Balclutha recorded 47.6 mm (4.8 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Balclutha recorded 69.3 mm (6.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Balclutha recorded 73.7 mm (7.4 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 5-10 years).
Usings Balclutha's record to scale the 24-hour rainfalls at nearby stations, these were found to have return periods of the order of 50 to 100 years.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cape Saunders
Cape Saunders recorded wind gusts over 90 kts (167 km/hr) at 5am.
Flooding
at
Clutha River
The Clutha River rose to 100,000 cusecs (2832 cumecs) at 10pm on the 17th. The mean flow of the river is 15,000 cusecs (425 cumecs).
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
Parks and reserves suffered only minor damage from the high winds and rain.
Flooding
at
Kelso
50 people at Kelso were evacuated.
The state of civil emergency in Kelso was declared on the 17th and lifted at 2:55pm on the 21st.
Kelso had its second 100 year flood within two years.
Road and rail transport was disrupted.
Telephone communications were cut on the 17th but where restored on the 21st.
The stock losses of newly shorn sheep and lambs were high.
There were tremendous cost of repairs to damaged buildings.
There were no problems with the town's water supply and sewerage.
Flooding
at
Lawrence
The Lawrence water supply was cut by floodwaters.
Multi Hazard
at
Leithen Glen station
At Leithen Glen, stock losses from exposure were heavy.
Heavy Rain
at
Moa Flat
At Moa Flat, the observed rainfall of 112 mm (11.2 cm) exceeded 100 year rainfall limits.
Flooding
at
Parawa
Parawa Stream , north of Five Rivers, was 6 cm below its October 1978 flood level at 6pm on the 17th.
Flooding
at
Pomahaka River
Most of the damage in West Otago was done by the Pomahaka River
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Queenstown recorded 70 mm (7.0 cm) of rain from 8pm on the 16th to 8am on the 17th.
Flooding
Communications to the south of the town were cut off and roads were closed to all but heavy vehicles.
Heavy Rain
at
Roxburgh
Roxburgh recorded 31.6 mm (3.2 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 2-5 years).
Roxburgh recorded 43.1 mm (4.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 2-5 years).
Roxburgh recorded 54.2 mm (5.4 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 15th till the 17th (Return Period 2-5 years).
High Wind / Gust
Roxburgh experienced storm force winds.
Heavy Rain
at
Tapanui
Tapanui, the nearest rain station to Kelso, calculated 100 year rainfalls for 24 hours duration in the 1978 event, but not in this event.
Flooding
Stock losses were particularly severe in the Tapanui district. One farm lost 1200 sheep.
Heavy Rain
at
Whitecomb station
Whitecomb received up to 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
Western Southland sufferered more in this event than in the 1978 one, with flooding in the lower catchments of the Waiau and Aparima rivers.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Gore Borough from the 17th until the 18th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Mataura Borough from the 17th until the 19th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Southland County from the 17th until the 21st.
Scores of roads were closed and several bridges were washed away.
Rail links were cut.
By 8pm on the 17th telephone services to most areas had been restored.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall in Fiordland was minimal.
Flooding
at
Centre Bush
The Oreti River at Centre Bush recorded a height of 3.09 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Dipton
Dipton Hilltop recorded 72.0 mm (7.2 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th.
Dipton Hilltop recorded 87.5 mm (8.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th.
Dipton Hilltop recorded 92.0 mm (9.2 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 15th till the 17th.
Flooding
at
Dunrobin Station
The Aparima River at Dunrobin recorded a height of 2.08 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Fairlight
The Mataura River at Fairlight recorded a height of 2.35 m in January (normal 0.90 m).
Flooding
at
Freshford
The Waikaia River at Freshford recorded a height of 5.09 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
Gore had a rainfall intensity of 8 mm/hr.
Gore recorded 106 mm (10.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours (Return Period 115 years).
Flooding
The Mataura River at Gore recorded a height of 5.02 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Gorge Road
The Mataura River at Gorge Road recorded a height of 4.00 m in January.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill recorded 49.2 mm (4.9 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Invercargill recorded 73.7 mm (7.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period more than 50 years).
Invercargill recorded 77.0 mm (7.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 16th till the 18th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Flooding
at
Irthing Stream
Irthing Stream at Ellis Road recorded a height of 3.37 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Irthing Stream at Mak F/W recorded a height of 5.72 m in January.
Flooding
at
Kennington
The Waihopai River at Kennington recorded a height of 3.99 m in January (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Lumsden
The Oreti River at Lumsden C/W recorded a height of 3.90 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
The Oreti River at Lumsden C/B recorded a height of 3.19 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Mandeville
The Waimea Stream at Mandeville recorded a height of 4.30 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Mataura
At least 1500 people were evacuated from Mataura on the 17th.
The Mataura River at Mataura recorded a height of 9.68 m in January.
The flood in the Mataura Borough on the 17th had a discharge of 1813 cumecs. This was the annual maximum flood.
Some houses were flooded when the Waimumu Stream overflowed and entered the town.
The town was evacuated as a precautionary measure as civil defence workers were worried that the floodbanks may breach.
The army was guarding the way in and out of the town.
Most of the Mataura residents were able to return to their homes on the night of the 17th. About 20 houses in River Head Lane remained evacuated because of problems with a deep-well sewer pump.
About eight houses near Mataura were seriously flooded.
Flooding
at
Mataura Island
The Mataura River at Mataura Island recorded a height of 4.32 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Some Mataura Island crops were devastated.
Fences were destroyed.
Flooding
at
Mataura River
The Mataura River at G. Simpson's recorded a height of 3.72 m in January.
The Mataura River at S.L. Lobb's recorded a height of 3.77 m in January.
Flooding
at
McNab
The railway at McNab was covered in 1.8 m of water.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
The Oreti River had an a.e.p. of about 10% and a flow of approximately 1,500-1,750 cumecs.
Flooding
at
Otatara
The Oreti River at Dunns Road recorded a height of 1.81 m in January.
Flooding
at
Otautau
Otautau Stream at Otautau recorded a height of 3.10 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Parawa
The Mataura River at Parawa recorded a height of 5.56 m in January (normal 1.20 m).
Flooding
at
Piano Flat
The Waikaia River at Piano Flat recorded a height of 3.76 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Pyramid Hill
The Mataura River at Pyramid recorded a height of 3.83 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Quarry Hills
Quarry Hills received 120 mm (12.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Sunnyside homestead
The Waiau River at Sunnyside recorded a height of 4.60 m in January (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Thomsons Crossing
Winton Stream at Thomsons Crossing recorded a height of 2.2 m in January.
Flooding
at
Tuatapere
The Waiau River at Tuatapere recorded a height of 4.84 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waiau River
The Waiau River at Mararoa recorded a height of 6.39 m in January (normal 3.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waikaia
The flooding in Waikaia was equal to that in 1978.
The Waikaia River at Waikaia recorded a height of 3.60 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Waikaka
Waikaka received 100.5 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Waikiwi Stream
Waikiwi Stream at Ferry Road recorded a height of 2.37 m in January (normally tidal).
Flooding
at
Wallacetown
The Oreti River at Wallacetown recorded a height of 4.85 m in January (normal 1.40 m).
Flooding
at
Wyndham
The Mataura River at Wyndham recorded a height of 4.63 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Wyndham was still under a civil defence emergency on the 20th.
Flooding
at
Yellow Bluff
The Aparima River at Yellow Bluff recorded a height of 2.53 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
References
- Bradley, D. (2002). Riverine inundation. Environment Southland, Invercargill.
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies,
- Flood report July 2003, Environment Southland.
- Insurance Councils, The Cost of Weather Loses, Claims History (Updated 2004).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, to 31st May 2006.
- New Zealand Evacuations from 1 January 1886 to 1 January 2000.
- New Zealand Meteorlogical Service, Technical Information Circular No. 191, Extreme Wind Gusts,
- New Zealand Meteorological Service, Technical Information Circular No.178, The Otago/Southland Floods of January 1980, J.S.Hickman.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Floods Level Fell Quickly
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Havoc Continues
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Mataura Cleared
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Two Towns Evacuated
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Kelso People Return As Floodwaters Drop
- Otago Daily Times, 19 January 1980.
- Headline: Level Of Rivers Back To Normal
- Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1980.
- Headline: State Of Emergency At Kelso Has Ended
- Otago Daily Times, 22 January 1980.
- Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.
- Headline: Floodwaters return to Mataura like a tide.
- The Southland Times, Invercargill, Tuesday, Janurary 1, 1980 - Sunday, December 31, 1989, Special souvenir edition, A century of news, p 2.
January 1980 South Island Weather Bomb
(
1980-01-16
)
100 years
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 16th till the 18th of January.
An unusually deep depression developed just east of Otago. The deepening rate of the low was 1.6 bergeron, putting it well within the definition of a “bomb”. Northwesterlies brought moist, tropical air onto New Zealand and the subsequent strong baroclinicity, along with increasing shear vorticity, were major contributors to the development of the low. The strong upward motion field and the strong onshore southerly winds that resulted led to a different distribution of rainfall than in the 1978 event.
Stock losses were estimated at 15,000-17,000 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Heavy Rain
Flood-producing rains occurred within a 24-hour period from 2pm on the 16th to 2pm on the 17th.
The rain was largely distributed in resonse to orographic stimulation. The heaviest rains occurred in the Catlins Ranges of the Otago-Southland border as well as in the Pomahaka, Waikaka and Waikaia catchments. The rainfalls in the Pomahaka, Waikaia and Waikaka catchments were higher than in the 1978 event by about 25 mm. This also affected the headwaters of the Taieri River more than in 1978.
The area where the maximum 24-hour falls exceeded a 50 year return period for this event was slightly smaller than and displaced a little towards the southwest of the 1978, 1980 and 1984 events.
Flooding
Parts of Otago and Southland experienced extremely severe flooding for the second time in 15 months (similar event in October 1878).
Flooding was caused by the rain persisting with a moderate to heavy intensity over a period of some 20 hours at each site. The Clutha and Mataura Rivers received heavy rain only in the lower parts of their catchments but their tributaries the Waikaia, Waikaka and Pomohaka experienced floods similar to those in 1978.
Damage from the floods was $11.00 million (2004) ($12,669,100 2008 dollars).
Insurance industry payouts totalled $2,300,000 ($10,066,200 2008 dollars).
High Wind / Gust
Gale to storm force winds contributed greatly to exposure and consequent stock losses.
There was significant wind damage to structures and trees.
Canterbury
High Wind / Gust
at
Aviemore
Aviemore recorded a peak wind gust of 104 knots (193 km/hr) on the 17th (220 degrees true).
High Wind / Gust
at
Waitaki River
High winds buffeted the Waitaki Valley on the 17th.
Tree were brought down and power and telephone lines were cut.
One orchard in Waitaki Valley lost about 40 heavily laden older Moorpark apricot trees and about 60 percent of its apple crop.
Flooding
The Waitaki River was running at more than three times it normal volume of the 17th.
Otago
Flooding
at
Otago
In West Otago damage was done to roads, the railway and to telephone lines.
Scores of roads were closed and several bridges were washed away.
Due to massive evacuations in the Clutha delta, stock losses were comparatively light.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Milton Borough, Bruce County, Kaitangata Borough, Clutha County and Balclutha Borough from the 17th till the 18th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Tuapeka County from the 17th till the 21st. The declaration inlcuded Kelso and Waitahuna.
The railway line between Dunedin and Invercargill was scoured in many places and services did not resume until the 19th. All rail links south of Dunedin were opened on the 19th.
It was the second disastrous flood to hit the region withinn 15 months.
Stock losses have reached well over the 18,000 mark which include thousands of newly shorn lambs. The timing of the flood proved fatal as many newly shorn sheep died from exposure. Only about 50 dead cattle had been reported as of the 22nd of January.
Heavy Rain
at
Balclutha
Balclutha recorded 47.6 mm (4.8 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Balclutha recorded 69.3 mm (6.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Balclutha recorded 73.7 mm (7.4 cm) of rain in 48 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 5-10 years).
Usings Balclutha's record to scale the 24-hour rainfalls at nearby stations, these were found to have return periods of the order of 50 to 100 years.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cape Saunders
Cape Saunders recorded wind gusts over 90 kts (167 km/hr) at 5am.
Flooding
at
Clutha River
The Clutha River rose to 100,000 cusecs (2832 cumecs) at 10pm on the 17th. The mean flow of the river is 15,000 cusecs (425 cumecs).
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
Parks and reserves suffered only minor damage from the high winds and rain.
Flooding
at
Kelso
50 people at Kelso were evacuated.
The state of civil emergency in Kelso was declared on the 17th and lifted at 2:55pm on the 21st.
Kelso had its second 100 year flood within two years.
Road and rail transport was disrupted.
Telephone communications were cut on the 17th but where restored on the 21st.
The stock losses of newly shorn sheep and lambs were high.
There were tremendous cost of repairs to damaged buildings.
There were no problems with the town's water supply and sewerage.
Flooding
at
Lawrence
The Lawrence water supply was cut by floodwaters.
Multi Hazard
at
Leithen Glen station
At Leithen Glen, stock losses from exposure were heavy.
Heavy Rain
at
Moa Flat
At Moa Flat, the observed rainfall of 112 mm (11.2 cm) exceeded 100 year rainfall limits.
Flooding
at
Parawa
Parawa Stream , north of Five Rivers, was 6 cm below its October 1978 flood level at 6pm on the 17th.
Flooding
at
Pomahaka River
Most of the damage in West Otago was done by the Pomahaka River
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Queenstown recorded 70 mm (7.0 cm) of rain from 8pm on the 16th to 8am on the 17th.
Flooding
Communications to the south of the town were cut off and roads were closed to all but heavy vehicles.
Heavy Rain
at
Roxburgh
Roxburgh recorded 31.6 mm (3.2 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 2-5 years).
Roxburgh recorded 43.1 mm (4.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 2-5 years).
Roxburgh recorded 54.2 mm (5.4 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 15th till the 17th (Return Period 2-5 years).
High Wind / Gust
Roxburgh experienced storm force winds.
Heavy Rain
at
Tapanui
Tapanui, the nearest rain station to Kelso, calculated 100 year rainfalls for 24 hours duration in the 1978 event, but not in this event.
Flooding
Stock losses were particularly severe in the Tapanui district. One farm lost 1200 sheep.
Heavy Rain
at
Whitecomb station
Whitecomb received up to 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
Western Southland sufferered more in this event than in the 1978 one, with flooding in the lower catchments of the Waiau and Aparima rivers.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Gore Borough from the 17th until the 18th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Mataura Borough from the 17th until the 19th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Southland County from the 17th until the 21st.
Scores of roads were closed and several bridges were washed away.
Rail links were cut.
By 8pm on the 17th telephone services to most areas had been restored.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall in Fiordland was minimal.
Flooding
at
Centre Bush
The Oreti River at Centre Bush recorded a height of 3.09 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Dipton
Dipton Hilltop recorded 72.0 mm (7.2 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th.
Dipton Hilltop recorded 87.5 mm (8.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th.
Dipton Hilltop recorded 92.0 mm (9.2 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 15th till the 17th.
Flooding
at
Dunrobin Station
The Aparima River at Dunrobin recorded a height of 2.08 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Fairlight
The Mataura River at Fairlight recorded a height of 2.35 m in January (normal 0.90 m).
Flooding
at
Freshford
The Waikaia River at Freshford recorded a height of 5.09 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
Gore had a rainfall intensity of 8 mm/hr.
Gore recorded 106 mm (10.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours (Return Period 115 years).
Flooding
The Mataura River at Gore recorded a height of 5.02 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Gorge Road
The Mataura River at Gorge Road recorded a height of 4.00 m in January.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill recorded 49.2 mm (4.9 cm) of rain in 12 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Invercargill recorded 73.7 mm (7.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th and 17th (Return Period more than 50 years).
Invercargill recorded 77.0 mm (7.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 16th till the 18th (Return Period 10-20 years).
Flooding
at
Irthing Stream
Irthing Stream at Ellis Road recorded a height of 3.37 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Irthing Stream at Mak F/W recorded a height of 5.72 m in January.
Flooding
at
Kennington
The Waihopai River at Kennington recorded a height of 3.99 m in January (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Lumsden
The Oreti River at Lumsden C/W recorded a height of 3.90 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
The Oreti River at Lumsden C/B recorded a height of 3.19 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Mandeville
The Waimea Stream at Mandeville recorded a height of 4.30 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Mataura
At least 1500 people were evacuated from Mataura on the 17th.
The Mataura River at Mataura recorded a height of 9.68 m in January.
The flood in the Mataura Borough on the 17th had a discharge of 1813 cumecs. This was the annual maximum flood.
Some houses were flooded when the Waimumu Stream overflowed and entered the town.
The town was evacuated as a precautionary measure as civil defence workers were worried that the floodbanks may breach.
The army was guarding the way in and out of the town.
Most of the Mataura residents were able to return to their homes on the night of the 17th. About 20 houses in River Head Lane remained evacuated because of problems with a deep-well sewer pump.
About eight houses near Mataura were seriously flooded.
Flooding
at
Mataura Island
The Mataura River at Mataura Island recorded a height of 4.32 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Some Mataura Island crops were devastated.
Fences were destroyed.
Flooding
at
Mataura River
The Mataura River at G. Simpson's recorded a height of 3.72 m in January.
The Mataura River at S.L. Lobb's recorded a height of 3.77 m in January.
Flooding
at
McNab
The railway at McNab was covered in 1.8 m of water.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
The Oreti River had an a.e.p. of about 10% and a flow of approximately 1,500-1,750 cumecs.
Flooding
at
Otatara
The Oreti River at Dunns Road recorded a height of 1.81 m in January.
Flooding
at
Otautau
Otautau Stream at Otautau recorded a height of 3.10 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Parawa
The Mataura River at Parawa recorded a height of 5.56 m in January (normal 1.20 m).
Flooding
at
Piano Flat
The Waikaia River at Piano Flat recorded a height of 3.76 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Pyramid Hill
The Mataura River at Pyramid recorded a height of 3.83 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Quarry Hills
Quarry Hills received 120 mm (12.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Sunnyside homestead
The Waiau River at Sunnyside recorded a height of 4.60 m in January (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Thomsons Crossing
Winton Stream at Thomsons Crossing recorded a height of 2.2 m in January.
Flooding
at
Tuatapere
The Waiau River at Tuatapere recorded a height of 4.84 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waiau River
The Waiau River at Mararoa recorded a height of 6.39 m in January (normal 3.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waikaia
The flooding in Waikaia was equal to that in 1978.
The Waikaia River at Waikaia recorded a height of 3.60 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Waikaka
Waikaka received 100.5 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Waikiwi Stream
Waikiwi Stream at Ferry Road recorded a height of 2.37 m in January (normally tidal).
Flooding
at
Wallacetown
The Oreti River at Wallacetown recorded a height of 4.85 m in January (normal 1.40 m).
Flooding
at
Wyndham
The Mataura River at Wyndham recorded a height of 4.63 m in January (normal 1.00 m).
Wyndham was still under a civil defence emergency on the 20th.
Flooding
at
Yellow Bluff
The Aparima River at Yellow Bluff recorded a height of 2.53 m in January (normal 0.80 m).
References
- Bradley, D. (2002). Riverine inundation. Environment Southland, Invercargill.
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies,
- Flood report July 2003, Environment Southland.
- Insurance Councils, The Cost of Weather Loses, Claims History (Updated 2004).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, to 31st May 2006.
- New Zealand Evacuations from 1 January 1886 to 1 January 2000.
- New Zealand Meteorlogical Service, Technical Information Circular No. 191, Extreme Wind Gusts,
- New Zealand Meteorological Service, Technical Information Circular No.178, The Otago/Southland Floods of January 1980, J.S.Hickman.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Floods Level Fell Quickly
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Havoc Continues
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Mataura Cleared
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Two Towns Evacuated
- Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1980.
- Headline: Kelso People Return As Floodwaters Drop
- Otago Daily Times, 19 January 1980.
- Headline: Level Of Rivers Back To Normal
- Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1980.
- Headline: State Of Emergency At Kelso Has Ended
- Otago Daily Times, 22 January 1980.
- Surface Water Hydrology of the Mataura River Catchment.
- Headline: Floodwaters return to Mataura like a tide.
- The Southland Times, Invercargill, Tuesday, Janurary 1, 1980 - Sunday, December 31, 1989, Special souvenir edition, A century of news, p 2.