NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
January 2005 New Zealand Flooding
(
2005-01-05
)
10-80 years
Heavy rain caused flooding in Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, Tasman-Nelson and Otago. The hardest area hit as Wellington where hundreds of people had to be evacuated.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
A moist northwesterly airstream and a quasi-stationary front within the airstream moved over the lower North Island. There were a complex series of lows spreading from the Tasman Sea over the South Island, preceded by the disturbed northwesterly flow.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy Rain
at
Balance
19.0 cm of rain fell in the Upper Mangahao River at Ballance.
Heavy Rain
at
Kakariki
16.0 cm of rain fell in the Upper Mangahao River at Kakariki.
Heavy Rain
at
Makomako
A truck driver was rescued from his vehicle after it plunged under the Nikau Road bridge near Makomako.
Heavy Rain
at
Feilding
About 300 scouts at the national jamboree in Feilding spent the night of the 6th sleeping in stock pens, exhibition halls and the grandstand at Manfield Park after heavy rain left the grounds waterlogged.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington
Duration: 3 days - The storm lasted from the 5th to the 7th.
A north-easterly storm affected the western part of the Wellington region.
Insurance industry payouts for the event was $2,500,000 (in 2005).
Heavy Rain
Heavy rainfalls south over Akatarawa and Whakatikei hills.
Storm produced significant rainfall totals over a short time period in many parts of the region such as the Tararua Range, Kapiti coast, parts of the Hutt Valley (western Hutt subcatchments) and the Orongorongo Range.
Flooding
Properties were flooded.
The flooding had a 25 year return period.
Areas affected were Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Golden Bay.
State Highway 1 was closed due to flooding and the main trunk railway line was closed.
Hutt River rose to 25 year levels causing an estimated $450,000 (in 2005) damage to bank edges, stopbanks and trees.
Waitohu Valley Road Bridge, to the west of Tararua Range, was washed out.
There were flash floods along the Kaptiti Coast.
Slips and flooding caused damage in some parts of the region.
The resulting floods were most significant in the Kapiti and Hutt catchments.
Heavy Rain
at
Oriwa
Oriwa had a rainfall intensity which averaged 3.4 cm an hour.
Heavy Rain
at
Blue Gum Spur
On the 5th, Blue Gum Spur recorded 10.2 cm of rain in four hours( which has a return period of 70 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Akatarawa River
Within the Akatarawa catchment, Warwicks gauge recorded 9.0 cm of rain in four hours (which has a return period of 40 years).
Flooding
The storm had a 25 year return period for lower parts of Akatarawa catchment and Mangaone catchment.
The Akatarawa River, north of Upper Hutt, experienced a 50-year flood.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt recorded 8.0 cm of rain in 12 hours.
Flooding
The Hutt River recorded a flood similar to the one in October 1998 (making it a 26 year flood).
There was some flooding of houses in Hathaway Ave and several road closures.
Heavy Rain
at
Tararua Range
The Tararua Ranges recorded 30.0 cm of rain in 12 hours.
The highest rainfall totals occurred in the northern Tararua Range.
Heavy Rain
at
Otaki
Otaki recorded 23.0 cm of rain in 12 hours to 6am on the 6th, including 10.0 cm of rain in 3 hours.
Otaki recorded 25.5 cm of rain in 24 hours.
There were widespread washouts from Otaki to Paekakariki.
Flooding
The Otaki River had a magnitude one in 40 year flood.
Heavy Rain
at
Otaihanga
Heavy rainfall in the ranges cause the Waikanae River to burst its banks on the 6th.
Flooding
More than a metre of water swept through 23 houses at Otaihanga at about 3am on the 6th.
There was 20cm of silt left on some properties after floodwaters receded.
One farmer had 10 sheep lost due the floods.
12 people were rescued from 18 homes which were flooded.
Otaihanga residents said it was the worst flood since 1958.
Multi Hazard
at
Mt Atkinson
A woman who was missing in the Tararua Range was found just before 1:30pm on the 5th on the Atkinson Ridge. She was heading for hypothermic-type conditions after battling gale force nor'westers, rain and low visibility to about 100 metres.
Low cloud prevented rescue teams from airlifting the woman tramper out of the ranges.
Flooding
at
Waikanae
About 700 people were evacuated to higher ground at El Rancho, the Waikanae Christian Holiday Park, when the Waikanae River flooded.
Waikanae River experienced an 80 year flood.
Akatarawa Rd, between Waikanae and Upper Hutt, was closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Reikorangi
At the headwaters of the Waikanae River, at the top of the Akatarawa Hill Road, 12.4 cm of rain fell in 12 hours to 6am on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Paekakariki
State Highway 1 was flooded between Paekakariki and Waterfall Road, delaying motorists for up to three hours.
Tasman-Nelson
Flooding
at
Anatori River
19 campers along the Anatori River were evacuated after floods threatened their campsite on the 6th and 7th.
Otago
Heavy Rain
at
Otago
A weak northwest flow over the area produced high temperatures. Winds were light, leading to slow storm motions.
Areas of Otago recorded 6.0cm of rain in one hour on the 7th.
Areas of Otago recorded 8.0cm of rain in six hours on the 7th.
Flooding
Flooding and landslides occured during localised high rainfall in south and west Otago.
One bridge was closed and several others were damaged.
Flooding damaged roads, property and pastures.
There were livestock losses.
The upper Pomahaka River in south Otago, north of Gore, reached a 10 year flood peak near midnight with an estimated flow of 500 cumecs.
There were flash floods in Western Otago and high river levels.
Heavy Rain
at
Tapanui
Tapanui recorded 3.4cm of rain in 30 minutes on the 7th.
Flooding
State Highway 90 was closed between Gore and Tapanui due to flooding from the Pomahaka River.
Heavy Rain
at
Moa Flat
Moa Flat recorded 3.4cm of rain in 30 minutes to 5.30pm on the 7th (which has a return period of 130 years).
Lightning
at
Heriot
In the Heriot Burn and Pomahaka area, there were severe thunderstorms.
Farmers reported over 8.0cm of rain in six hours.
Flooding
Stock losses were reported in the Heriot Burn and Kelso area.
Farmers reported local streams were flash flooding, washing over roads and paddocks within 15 minutes of the downpours.
The depth of water that went through the golf course was reported to be at least 2 m. A wall of water came through in a space of 10-15 minutes.
About six houses were flooded.
Flooding
at
Ettrick
There was surface flooding in Ettrick.
Lightning
at
Leithen Glen
The Otago Regional Council flow recorder site at Leithen Glen appeared to have been struck by lightning.
Heavy Rain
3.4cm of rain was recorded in 30 minutes.
Flooding
at
Waitahuna
The Waitahuna River reached an estimated 20 year flood level. It was greater than 59 cumecs before the Otago Regional Council flow recorder was inundated on the night of the 7th.
References
- 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
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 100, March 2005.
- NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- The 5-6 January 2005 storm in the Welllington region, Hydrology and meteorlogy, Laura Watts, January 2005
- Headline: Kapiti siren 'might have scared people'.
- The Dominion Post, January 6 2005.
- Headline: Mud, sweat and fears after flood.
- The Dominion Post, January 8 2005.
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz
- Headline: Missing woman found in ranges.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 5 January 2005.
- Headline: Torrential rain brings flooding and misery.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 7 January 2005.
- Headline: Storm overwhelms river measuring equipment.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 8 January 2005.
- The 5-6 January 2005 storm in the Welllington region, Hydrology and meteorlogy, Laura Watts, January 2005
- O:\RSKD102\RawData\Archives\Documentation\2005-01-5th-6th-7th New Zealand FloodingTable: Rainfall depths and estimated return periods at selected rainfall stations in the Wellington region.csv
- The 5-6 January 2005 storm in the Welllington region, Hydrology and meteorlogy, Laura Watts, January 2005
- O:\RSKD102\RawData\Archives\Documentation\2005-01-5th-6th-7th New Zealand FloodingTable: River flood peaks in the Wellington region.csv
January 2005 New Zealand Flooding
(
2005-01-05
)
10-80 years
Heavy rain caused flooding in Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, Tasman-Nelson and Otago. The hardest area hit as Wellington where hundreds of people had to be evacuated.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
A moist northwesterly airstream and a quasi-stationary front within the airstream moved over the lower North Island. There were a complex series of lows spreading from the Tasman Sea over the South Island, preceded by the disturbed northwesterly flow.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy Rain
at
Balance
19.0 cm of rain fell in the Upper Mangahao River at Ballance.
Heavy Rain
at
Kakariki
16.0 cm of rain fell in the Upper Mangahao River at Kakariki.
Heavy Rain
at
Makomako
A truck driver was rescued from his vehicle after it plunged under the Nikau Road bridge near Makomako.
Heavy Rain
at
Feilding
About 300 scouts at the national jamboree in Feilding spent the night of the 6th sleeping in stock pens, exhibition halls and the grandstand at Manfield Park after heavy rain left the grounds waterlogged.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington
Duration: 3 days - The storm lasted from the 5th to the 7th.
A north-easterly storm affected the western part of the Wellington region.
Insurance industry payouts for the event was $2,500,000 (in 2005).
Heavy Rain
Heavy rainfalls south over Akatarawa and Whakatikei hills.
Storm produced significant rainfall totals over a short time period in many parts of the region such as the Tararua Range, Kapiti coast, parts of the Hutt Valley (western Hutt subcatchments) and the Orongorongo Range.
Flooding
Properties were flooded.
The flooding had a 25 year return period.
Areas affected were Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Golden Bay.
State Highway 1 was closed due to flooding and the main trunk railway line was closed.
Hutt River rose to 25 year levels causing an estimated $450,000 (in 2005) damage to bank edges, stopbanks and trees.
Waitohu Valley Road Bridge, to the west of Tararua Range, was washed out.
There were flash floods along the Kaptiti Coast.
Slips and flooding caused damage in some parts of the region.
The resulting floods were most significant in the Kapiti and Hutt catchments.
Heavy Rain
at
Oriwa
Oriwa had a rainfall intensity which averaged 3.4 cm an hour.
Heavy Rain
at
Blue Gum Spur
On the 5th, Blue Gum Spur recorded 10.2 cm of rain in four hours( which has a return period of 70 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Akatarawa River
Within the Akatarawa catchment, Warwicks gauge recorded 9.0 cm of rain in four hours (which has a return period of 40 years).
Flooding
The storm had a 25 year return period for lower parts of Akatarawa catchment and Mangaone catchment.
The Akatarawa River, north of Upper Hutt, experienced a 50-year flood.
Heavy Rain
at
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt recorded 8.0 cm of rain in 12 hours.
Flooding
The Hutt River recorded a flood similar to the one in October 1998 (making it a 26 year flood).
There was some flooding of houses in Hathaway Ave and several road closures.
Heavy Rain
at
Tararua Range
The Tararua Ranges recorded 30.0 cm of rain in 12 hours.
The highest rainfall totals occurred in the northern Tararua Range.
Heavy Rain
at
Otaki
Otaki recorded 23.0 cm of rain in 12 hours to 6am on the 6th, including 10.0 cm of rain in 3 hours.
Otaki recorded 25.5 cm of rain in 24 hours.
There were widespread washouts from Otaki to Paekakariki.
Flooding
The Otaki River had a magnitude one in 40 year flood.
Heavy Rain
at
Otaihanga
Heavy rainfall in the ranges cause the Waikanae River to burst its banks on the 6th.
Flooding
More than a metre of water swept through 23 houses at Otaihanga at about 3am on the 6th.
There was 20cm of silt left on some properties after floodwaters receded.
One farmer had 10 sheep lost due the floods.
12 people were rescued from 18 homes which were flooded.
Otaihanga residents said it was the worst flood since 1958.
Multi Hazard
at
Mt Atkinson
A woman who was missing in the Tararua Range was found just before 1:30pm on the 5th on the Atkinson Ridge. She was heading for hypothermic-type conditions after battling gale force nor'westers, rain and low visibility to about 100 metres.
Low cloud prevented rescue teams from airlifting the woman tramper out of the ranges.
Flooding
at
Waikanae
About 700 people were evacuated to higher ground at El Rancho, the Waikanae Christian Holiday Park, when the Waikanae River flooded.
Waikanae River experienced an 80 year flood.
Akatarawa Rd, between Waikanae and Upper Hutt, was closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Reikorangi
At the headwaters of the Waikanae River, at the top of the Akatarawa Hill Road, 12.4 cm of rain fell in 12 hours to 6am on the 6th.
Flooding
at
Paekakariki
State Highway 1 was flooded between Paekakariki and Waterfall Road, delaying motorists for up to three hours.
Tasman-Nelson
Flooding
at
Anatori River
19 campers along the Anatori River were evacuated after floods threatened their campsite on the 6th and 7th.
Otago
Heavy Rain
at
Otago
A weak northwest flow over the area produced high temperatures. Winds were light, leading to slow storm motions.
Areas of Otago recorded 6.0cm of rain in one hour on the 7th.
Areas of Otago recorded 8.0cm of rain in six hours on the 7th.
Flooding
Flooding and landslides occured during localised high rainfall in south and west Otago.
One bridge was closed and several others were damaged.
Flooding damaged roads, property and pastures.
There were livestock losses.
The upper Pomahaka River in south Otago, north of Gore, reached a 10 year flood peak near midnight with an estimated flow of 500 cumecs.
There were flash floods in Western Otago and high river levels.
Heavy Rain
at
Tapanui
Tapanui recorded 3.4cm of rain in 30 minutes on the 7th.
Flooding
State Highway 90 was closed between Gore and Tapanui due to flooding from the Pomahaka River.
Heavy Rain
at
Moa Flat
Moa Flat recorded 3.4cm of rain in 30 minutes to 5.30pm on the 7th (which has a return period of 130 years).
Lightning
at
Heriot
In the Heriot Burn and Pomahaka area, there were severe thunderstorms.
Farmers reported over 8.0cm of rain in six hours.
Flooding
Stock losses were reported in the Heriot Burn and Kelso area.
Farmers reported local streams were flash flooding, washing over roads and paddocks within 15 minutes of the downpours.
The depth of water that went through the golf course was reported to be at least 2 m. A wall of water came through in a space of 10-15 minutes.
About six houses were flooded.
Flooding
at
Ettrick
There was surface flooding in Ettrick.
Lightning
at
Leithen Glen
The Otago Regional Council flow recorder site at Leithen Glen appeared to have been struck by lightning.
Heavy Rain
3.4cm of rain was recorded in 30 minutes.
Flooding
at
Waitahuna
The Waitahuna River reached an estimated 20 year flood level. It was greater than 59 cumecs before the Otago Regional Council flow recorder was inundated on the night of the 7th.
References
- 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
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 100, March 2005.
- NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- The 5-6 January 2005 storm in the Welllington region, Hydrology and meteorlogy, Laura Watts, January 2005
- Headline: Kapiti siren 'might have scared people'.
- The Dominion Post, January 6 2005.
- Headline: Mud, sweat and fears after flood.
- The Dominion Post, January 8 2005.
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz
- Headline: Missing woman found in ranges.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 5 January 2005.
- Headline: Torrential rain brings flooding and misery.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 7 January 2005.
- Headline: Storm overwhelms river measuring equipment.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 8 January 2005.
- The 5-6 January 2005 storm in the Welllington region, Hydrology and meteorlogy, Laura Watts, January 2005
- O:\RSKD102\RawData\Archives\Documentation\2005-01-5th-6th-7th New Zealand FloodingTable: Rainfall depths and estimated return periods at selected rainfall stations in the Wellington region.csv
- The 5-6 January 2005 storm in the Welllington region, Hydrology and meteorlogy, Laura Watts, January 2005
- O:\RSKD102\RawData\Archives\Documentation\2005-01-5th-6th-7th New Zealand FloodingTable: River flood peaks in the Wellington region.csv