NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
January 1999 Northland and Auckland Flooding ( 1999-01-21 )
Extreme rainfall brought severe floods to the Far North and Pukekohe. People were evacuated, properties were damaged and a CDE was declared for the Far North. A child died after being sucked down a stormwater drain in Northland and a man was drowned in Pukekohe.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 2 days - From the 21st to the 22nd of January.
Intense convective activity was the main forcing mechanism. A stationary, broad trough extended from the tropics, towards northern New Zealand, with a weak easterly flow over Northland. Low level convergence was also present. Diurnal afternoon heating and warm, moist tropical air at low levels all contributed to the development of large cumulonimbus clouds.
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Northland and Pukekohe Floods totalled $5,000,000 ($6,500,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
The rainfall on the night of the 21st was very localised.
Flooding
Sheets of water covered State Highway 1 from Hamilton to Auckland.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
High intensity rainfall occurred in parts of Northland on the 21st.
The Far North deputy mayor said the rain was the heaviest he had seen in 67 years of living in the area.
Flooding
Walls of water and logs were swept down valleys.
The flood waters were extensive.
Fast-rising waters cut roads and swept away bridges and cars. Many roads and bridges were washed out.
Emergency services in Northland rescued scores of people from flooded houses and stranded vehicles.
Landslide
Massive land slips occurred.
Multi Hazard
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Far North District at 8:58am on the 22nd and lasted until 10th February (due to health and safety concerns). DRC appointed.
State Highway 14 between Dargaville and Whangarei was closed by slips, fallen trees and surface flooding. One lane was reopened late on the night of the 21st.
In the Far North, 270 people were evacuated. There were 80 people in emergency accomodation (hundreds of residents were evacuated to a local marae).
About 200 people were still without proper accommodation on the 26th.
Slips and flooding caused damage to property. 96 sections were damaged, 75 houses damaged, and three houses destroyed. Eight houses were condemned as unfit to live in.
Heavy Rain
at
Awakino Point
Awakino recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain in four hours on the 21st (Return Period well over 150 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Baylys Beach
Bayly’s Beach recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain in two hours on the 21st (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
at
Hokianga Harbour
In the Hokianga area, four communities were severely affected, including Pawarenga, Panguru and Omapere.
A number of people had to be rescued, some from the roofs of their homes.
The local water supply was contaminated.
Crops were destroyed.
Thousands of tonnes of logs and debris were washed downstream from the hill catchments.
Locals described the flooding as worse than Cyclone Bola.
Eleven of the 82 Hokianga homes hit by flash flooding needed to be replaced. A further 43 needed to be raised, seven needed to be shifted to higher ground and five needed repairs.
Multi Hazard
Roads were destroyed.
Flooding
at
Kaihu River
The Kaihu River rose 3 m in 15 minutes.
Flooding
at
Kaiwaka
Two children were sucked down an enclosed stormwater drain at Kaiwaka at around 7pm on the 21st, and one subsequently died in hospital.
Flooding
at
Mitimiti
Homes at Mitimiti were inundated by flood waters.
Heavy Rain
at
Omapere
Omapere recorded 120 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in five hours on the 21st (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Severe flash flooding devastated Omapere.
Some houses were simply washed away.
Heavy Rain
at
Opononi
Opononi recorded 210.5 mm (21.1 cm) of rain in the five hours from 3pm to 8pm on the 21st (Return Period more than 100 years). This was a record rainfall.
Flooding
at
Pakanae
Homes at Pakanae were inundated by flood waters.
Huge silt deposits were left around homes at Pakanae.
The water came over the floor level of a house on piles more than a metre high. Two cars on the property caught by the flood had mud halfway up their wheels.
The Pakanae River had swollen to 2.5 m, and widened from its usual 10 m to about 1km.
One car was swept away and another car was forced into a caravan by the pressure of the water.
Heavy Rain
at
Panguru
Panguru recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in three hours on the 21st (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Severe flash flooding of the Whakapara Stream devastated Panguru.
Some houses were simply washed away. 15 homes at Panguru were moderately or severely damaged.
There was no power, water or telephones.
There was up to 1 m of flood water through most homes.
Panguru Area School was devastated by the floods. It would cost an estimated $3 million ($3,900,000 2008 dollars) to rebuild.
Panguru Area School's 150 students had to be taught at Waipuna Marae. Seven ancillary staff had to be made redundant after the school was flooded.
Flooding
at
Pawarenga
The town of Pawarenga was devastated.
Some houses were simply washed away. Five homes at Pawarenga were moderately or severely damaged
There was no power, water or telephones.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 29.2 mm (2.9 cm) of rain in six hours on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Whirinaki
State Highway 12 at Whirinaki was closed by floods.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Pukekohe
Pukekohe recorded 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain in one hour on the 21st.
Pukekohe recorded 157.5 mm (15.8 cm) of rain in the two hours from 7pm to 9pm on the 21st. This was three times Pukekohe's normal January rainfall.
Pukekohe recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain in three hours (just over two hours) on the 21st (Return Period well over 150 years).
Pukekohe recorded 135 mm (13.5 cm) of rain in four hours on the 21st.
Flooding
Extreme high intensity rainfall brought severe flooding to Pukekohe.
A 78-year-old man drowned in a field just out of Pukekohe on the 21st after escaping from his car, which was pinned to a fence by raging flood waters.
Pukekohe homes were flooded. Many homes were strewn with mud, debris and sewage after the flood.
Three rest homes and a block of pensioner flats were evacuated in Pukekohe on the night of the 21st.
29 elderly people slept in the local St John's Hall.
The local water supply was contaminated by flood waters entering the town's low-lying pumping station tank. Residents had to boil their water for nearly six weeks because of giardia contamination fears.
The flood waters were 1 m deep in places.
Roads were destroyed.
Flood waters swept through market gardens. Crops, especially onion crops, were destroyed.
Landslide
The deluge brought mudslides to the area.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
Roads were closed across the Franklin district.
Heavy Rain
at
Hamilton
Hamilton recorded 27 mm (2.7 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangatangi
Mangatangi recorded 62 mm (6.2 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Paeroa
Paeroa recorded 41.6 mm (4.2 cm) of rain in five hours.
Paeroa recorded 46 mm (4.6 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Whitianga
Whitianga recorded 25 mm (2.5 cm) of rain.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Rain fell in Hawke's Bay from the 22nd to the 24th.
The squash crop was badly damaged. The damage was estimated at $1 million ($1,300,000 2008 dollars).
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Rain fell in Gisborne from the 22nd to the 24th.
References
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies, 31 December 1999, Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Gray, W. Overview of weather and coastal hazards in the Northland region, Part I: Weather hazards.
- Insurance Councils. The Cost of Weather Loses, Claims history (Updated 2004).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 76, March 1999.
- www.metservice.co.nz / Notable Weather Events Archives / 1998-199 Summer.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Devastation in Hokianga.
- The Northern Advocate, 23 January 1999.
- Headline: Silt deposits headache for Pakanae residents.
- The Northern Advocate, 23 January 1999.
- Headline: Floods may be fatal for Panguru.
- The Northern Advocate, 25 January 1999.
- Headline: Northern deluge: Children swept into drain.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 January 1999.
- Headline: Elderly man dies in fierce flow of water.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 January 1999.
- Headline: Warning of more storms on way.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 January 1999.
- Headline: 200 homeless in flood-hit zone.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 26 January 1999.
- Headline: Cool, clear water on tap again after 6 weeks.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 3 March 1999.
- Headline: Surprise benefit springs from washout at school.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 7 May 1999.
January 1999 Northland and Auckland Flooding ( 1999-01-21 )
Extreme rainfall brought severe floods to the Far North and Pukekohe. People were evacuated, properties were damaged and a CDE was declared for the Far North. A child died after being sucked down a stormwater drain in Northland and a man was drowned in Pukekohe.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 2 days - From the 21st to the 22nd of January.
Intense convective activity was the main forcing mechanism. A stationary, broad trough extended from the tropics, towards northern New Zealand, with a weak easterly flow over Northland. Low level convergence was also present. Diurnal afternoon heating and warm, moist tropical air at low levels all contributed to the development of large cumulonimbus clouds.
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Northland and Pukekohe Floods totalled $5,000,000 ($6,500,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
The rainfall on the night of the 21st was very localised.
Flooding
Sheets of water covered State Highway 1 from Hamilton to Auckland.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
High intensity rainfall occurred in parts of Northland on the 21st.
The Far North deputy mayor said the rain was the heaviest he had seen in 67 years of living in the area.
Flooding
Walls of water and logs were swept down valleys.
The flood waters were extensive.
Fast-rising waters cut roads and swept away bridges and cars. Many roads and bridges were washed out.
Emergency services in Northland rescued scores of people from flooded houses and stranded vehicles.
Landslide
Massive land slips occurred.
Multi Hazard
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Far North District at 8:58am on the 22nd and lasted until 10th February (due to health and safety concerns). DRC appointed.
State Highway 14 between Dargaville and Whangarei was closed by slips, fallen trees and surface flooding. One lane was reopened late on the night of the 21st.
In the Far North, 270 people were evacuated. There were 80 people in emergency accomodation (hundreds of residents were evacuated to a local marae).
About 200 people were still without proper accommodation on the 26th.
Slips and flooding caused damage to property. 96 sections were damaged, 75 houses damaged, and three houses destroyed. Eight houses were condemned as unfit to live in.
Heavy Rain
at
Awakino Point
Awakino recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain in four hours on the 21st (Return Period well over 150 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Baylys Beach
Bayly’s Beach recorded 90 mm (9.0 cm) of rain in two hours on the 21st (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
at
Hokianga Harbour
In the Hokianga area, four communities were severely affected, including Pawarenga, Panguru and Omapere.
A number of people had to be rescued, some from the roofs of their homes.
The local water supply was contaminated.
Crops were destroyed.
Thousands of tonnes of logs and debris were washed downstream from the hill catchments.
Locals described the flooding as worse than Cyclone Bola.
Eleven of the 82 Hokianga homes hit by flash flooding needed to be replaced. A further 43 needed to be raised, seven needed to be shifted to higher ground and five needed repairs.
Multi Hazard
Roads were destroyed.
Flooding
at
Kaihu River
The Kaihu River rose 3 m in 15 minutes.
Flooding
at
Kaiwaka
Two children were sucked down an enclosed stormwater drain at Kaiwaka at around 7pm on the 21st, and one subsequently died in hospital.
Flooding
at
Mitimiti
Homes at Mitimiti were inundated by flood waters.
Heavy Rain
at
Omapere
Omapere recorded 120 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in five hours on the 21st (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Severe flash flooding devastated Omapere.
Some houses were simply washed away.
Heavy Rain
at
Opononi
Opononi recorded 210.5 mm (21.1 cm) of rain in the five hours from 3pm to 8pm on the 21st (Return Period more than 100 years). This was a record rainfall.
Flooding
at
Pakanae
Homes at Pakanae were inundated by flood waters.
Huge silt deposits were left around homes at Pakanae.
The water came over the floor level of a house on piles more than a metre high. Two cars on the property caught by the flood had mud halfway up their wheels.
The Pakanae River had swollen to 2.5 m, and widened from its usual 10 m to about 1km.
One car was swept away and another car was forced into a caravan by the pressure of the water.
Heavy Rain
at
Panguru
Panguru recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in three hours on the 21st (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Severe flash flooding of the Whakapara Stream devastated Panguru.
Some houses were simply washed away. 15 homes at Panguru were moderately or severely damaged.
There was no power, water or telephones.
There was up to 1 m of flood water through most homes.
Panguru Area School was devastated by the floods. It would cost an estimated $3 million ($3,900,000 2008 dollars) to rebuild.
Panguru Area School's 150 students had to be taught at Waipuna Marae. Seven ancillary staff had to be made redundant after the school was flooded.
Flooding
at
Pawarenga
The town of Pawarenga was devastated.
Some houses were simply washed away. Five homes at Pawarenga were moderately or severely damaged
There was no power, water or telephones.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 29.2 mm (2.9 cm) of rain in six hours on the 21st.
Flooding
at
Whirinaki
State Highway 12 at Whirinaki was closed by floods.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Pukekohe
Pukekohe recorded 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain in one hour on the 21st.
Pukekohe recorded 157.5 mm (15.8 cm) of rain in the two hours from 7pm to 9pm on the 21st. This was three times Pukekohe's normal January rainfall.
Pukekohe recorded 160 mm (16.0 cm) of rain in three hours (just over two hours) on the 21st (Return Period well over 150 years).
Pukekohe recorded 135 mm (13.5 cm) of rain in four hours on the 21st.
Flooding
Extreme high intensity rainfall brought severe flooding to Pukekohe.
A 78-year-old man drowned in a field just out of Pukekohe on the 21st after escaping from his car, which was pinned to a fence by raging flood waters.
Pukekohe homes were flooded. Many homes were strewn with mud, debris and sewage after the flood.
Three rest homes and a block of pensioner flats were evacuated in Pukekohe on the night of the 21st.
29 elderly people slept in the local St John's Hall.
The local water supply was contaminated by flood waters entering the town's low-lying pumping station tank. Residents had to boil their water for nearly six weeks because of giardia contamination fears.
The flood waters were 1 m deep in places.
Roads were destroyed.
Flood waters swept through market gardens. Crops, especially onion crops, were destroyed.
Landslide
The deluge brought mudslides to the area.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
Roads were closed across the Franklin district.
Heavy Rain
at
Hamilton
Hamilton recorded 27 mm (2.7 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangatangi
Mangatangi recorded 62 mm (6.2 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Paeroa
Paeroa recorded 41.6 mm (4.2 cm) of rain in five hours.
Paeroa recorded 46 mm (4.6 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Whitianga
Whitianga recorded 25 mm (2.5 cm) of rain.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Rain fell in Hawke's Bay from the 22nd to the 24th.
The squash crop was badly damaged. The damage was estimated at $1 million ($1,300,000 2008 dollars).
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Rain fell in Gisborne from the 22nd to the 24th.
References
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies, 31 December 1999, Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Gray, W. Overview of weather and coastal hazards in the Northland region, Part I: Weather hazards.
- Insurance Councils. The Cost of Weather Loses, Claims history (Updated 2004).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 76, March 1999.
- www.metservice.co.nz / Notable Weather Events Archives / 1998-199 Summer.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Devastation in Hokianga.
- The Northern Advocate, 23 January 1999.
- Headline: Silt deposits headache for Pakanae residents.
- The Northern Advocate, 23 January 1999.
- Headline: Floods may be fatal for Panguru.
- The Northern Advocate, 25 January 1999.
- Headline: Northern deluge: Children swept into drain.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 January 1999.
- Headline: Elderly man dies in fierce flow of water.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 January 1999.
- Headline: Warning of more storms on way.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24 January 1999.
- Headline: 200 homeless in flood-hit zone.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 26 January 1999.
- Headline: Cool, clear water on tap again after 6 weeks.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 3 March 1999.
- Headline: Surprise benefit springs from washout at school.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 7 May 1999.