NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
July 2002 Upper North Island Flooding
(
2002-07-11
)
2-50 years
High rainfall brought flooding to parts of Northland, Auckland and the Waikato. The Waikao and Waipa Rivers flooded farmland, causing damage. A boy was injured after his canoe was swept away in an Auckland river.
North Island
Multi Hazard
Duration: 2 days - From the 11th to the 12th of July.
The MetService issued a Severe Weather Warning on the 12th for Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
A series of low fronts were generated in the Tasman Sea.
Heavy Rain
High rainfalls of up to 100 mm (10.0 cm) were recorded in eastern Northland and Auckland on the 11th.
Rain eased off on the afternoon of the 12th.
Flooding
Surface flooding hit parts of Auckland City, Northland and Waikato on the 11th and 12th.
Auckland
Flooding
at
Auckland
State Highway 16 between Wellsford and Helensville was closed on the 12th due to flooding at Kaukapakapa.
Landslide
Slips on State Highway 1 between Wellsford and Orewa caused traffic delays on the 12th. The biggest slip was on Johnsons Hill, south of Puhoi.
High Wind / Gust
Electricity was cut to about 1100 homes and businesses in parts of Takanini, Papakura, Beachlands, Whitford and Waiheke Island after trees and branches fell on to overhead lines in high winds.
Flooding
at
Dome Valley
There was surface flooding on State Higwhay 1 at Dome Valley on the 12th.
Flooding
at
Kaukapakapa
Serious flooding occurred at Kaukapakapa. The deluge transformed Waikahikatea Stream into a big, brown flood plain.
Water levels had been rising steadily before high tide at midday on the 12th.
A six-year-old boy was rescued, with minor injuries, after he was swept away while canoeing with group of people at Kaukapakapa around 10:30am on the 12th.
Five adults were rescued from two vehicles that were swept away by flood waters at Kaukapakapa. The vehicles were half submerged.
State Highway 16 and the planned detours were closed all day on the 12th. An area of about 500m, where Kahikatea Flat road and the Kaipara Highway intersect, was cut off by flooding.
Maritime / Coastal
The flooding at Kaukapakapa was aggravated by a high tide 3.2 m tide, which peaked at 9:30am.
The tide peaked at 3.2 m at 9:30am on the 12th.
Flooding
at
Okahu Bay
Parts of the road at Okahu Bay were under water on the 12th.
Landslide
at
Puhoi
A slip 100 m long came down on State Highway 1 at Hungry Creek, Puhoi, overnight on the 11th/12th. Traffic was disrupted.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Heavy rain fell in the Waikato overnight on the 11th/12th.
Flooding
The Waikato River was running at least 2m above normal on the 12th.
Both the Waikato and Waipa Rivers had doubled their levels during the week up to the 12th.
Police cautioned drivers to take care on slippery roads across Waikato.
On State Highway 2 from Pokeno to Mercer there was flash flooding in various locations, causing some delays on the 12th.
Surface water was present in places on State Highway 25 from Tapu to Coromandel.
There were delays on State Highway 41 from Tokaanu to Kuratau Junction (Waihi Hill).
Flooding in the Waikato and Waipa Rivers was the result of continued rainfall, saturated catchments and already swollen river levels.
The MetService issued 10 weather warnings.
Floodgates were shut along the Waikato River, but this caused rain to pool in the paddocks of some farmers.
Farmland adjacent to the Waipa River was flooded.
Unprotected land in the Lower Waikato was flooded. The cost of the damage was $80,000 ($95,000 2008 dollars).
Estimated cost of Remedial Works to Waikato District Council for 6th-16th July: Total $50,000 ($60,000 2008 dollars). Floodgates $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars), Kimihia Pump $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), Kimihia Stopbank $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), and Harveys Pump $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars).
Estimated cost of Remedial Works to Franklin District Council for 6th-16th July: Total $100,000 ($120,000 2008 dollars). Compartment 3 Pump $20,000 ($24,000 2008 dollars), Compartment 4 Pump $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars), Millar Farlane Pump $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), and Contour Drain Stopbank $55,000 ($66,000 2008 dollars).
Estimated cost of Remedial Works to Environment Waikato for 6th-16th July: Total $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars). Deroles Stopbank $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), and Morrison Road Floodgate $5,000 ($6000 2008 dollars).
Areas Inundated: 2,500 ha of river channels, 10,500 ha of wetlands, 4,500 ha of lakes, and about 4,200 ha of productive farmland. Total: 21,700 ha.
Landslide
State Highway 25 from Coromandel to Whitianga was closed on the 12th due to slips in the Whanapoua Hill area.
Heavy Rain
at
Hamilton
Hamilton recorded 97 mm (9.7 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
The Waikato River at Hamilton reached a peak level of 15.32 m.
The Waikato River at Hamilton had a peak flow of 560 cumecs. This was a 5 year event.
Flooding
at
Huntly
The Waikato River at Huntly reached a peak level of 10.39 m.
The Waikato River at Huntly had a peak flow of 1190 cumecs. This was a 20 year event.
Flooding
at
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo had reached full capacity on the night of the 11th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangatangi
Mangatangi recorded 225 mm (22.5 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungakawa Hill
Maungakawa recorded 130 mm (13.0 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
at
Mercer
The Waikato River overflowed at Mercer on the 12th.
50% of the 20 nearby farms were already saturated by weeks of wet weather.
The Waikato River at Mercer reached a peak level of 5.55 m.
The Waikato River at Mercer had a peak flow of 1380 cumecs. This was a 50 year event.
On one farm a cottage and the surrounding maize field were fully submerged in flood waters from the Waikato River on the morning of the 12th.
The flood waters on the farm were 1 m deep.
Heavy Rain
at
Ngaroma
Ngaroma recorded 240 mm (24.0 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th (+6.5% of July mean).
Flooding
at
Ngaruawahia
The Waikato River at Ngaruawahia reached a peak level of 12.88 m.
The Waikato River at Ngaruawahia had a peak flow of 1170 cumecs. This was a 20 year event.
Flooding
at
Otorohanga
The Waipa River at Otorohanga reached a peak level of 33.21 m.
The Waipa River at Otorohanga had a peak flow of 380 cumecs. This was a 20-50 year event.
Heavy Rain
at
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles recorded 306 mm (30.6 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
at
Pirongia
The Waipa River at Puniu reached a peak level of 13.50 m.
The Waipa River at Puniu had a peak flow of 180 cumecs. This was a 2-5 year event.
Flooding
at
Rangiriri
The Waikato River at Rangiriri reached a peak level of 8.34 m.
The Waikato River at Rangiriri had a peak flow of 1160 cumecs. This was a 20 year event.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Aroha
Te Aroha recorded 170 mm (17.0 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th (+13% of July mean).
Flooding
The Waihou River at Te Aroha reached a peak level of 9.93 m.
The Waihou River at Te Aroha had a peak flow of 135 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Kuiti
Te Kuiti recorded 156 mm (15.6 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
The Mangaokewa River at Te Kuiti reached a peak level of 52.02 m.
The Mangaokewa River at Te Kuiti had a peak flow of 100 cumecs. This was a 5-10 year event.
Flooding
at
Whatawhata
The Waipa River at Whatawhata reached a peak level of 18.95 m.
The Waipa River at Whatawhata had a peak flow of 745 cumecs. This was a 10-20 year event.
References
- Environment Waikato Flood Document (CD).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- Munro, A. (2000). Waikato and Waipa Rivers Flood Event 6-16 July 2002. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2002/12.
- Headline: Firefighters rescue child canoeist in severe flooding.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and NZPA, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Rain brings more problems across North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Surface flooding still a problem across parts of upper North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Waikato and Coromandel residents wait for flooding.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and NZPA, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Canoe fun in floodwaters almost turns to tragedy.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 13 July 2002.
July 2002 Upper North Island Flooding
(
2002-07-11
)
2-50 years
High rainfall brought flooding to parts of Northland, Auckland and the Waikato. The Waikao and Waipa Rivers flooded farmland, causing damage. A boy was injured after his canoe was swept away in an Auckland river.
North Island
Multi Hazard
Duration: 2 days - From the 11th to the 12th of July.
The MetService issued a Severe Weather Warning on the 12th for Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
A series of low fronts were generated in the Tasman Sea.
Heavy Rain
High rainfalls of up to 100 mm (10.0 cm) were recorded in eastern Northland and Auckland on the 11th.
Rain eased off on the afternoon of the 12th.
Flooding
Surface flooding hit parts of Auckland City, Northland and Waikato on the 11th and 12th.
Auckland
Flooding
at
Auckland
State Highway 16 between Wellsford and Helensville was closed on the 12th due to flooding at Kaukapakapa.
Landslide
Slips on State Highway 1 between Wellsford and Orewa caused traffic delays on the 12th. The biggest slip was on Johnsons Hill, south of Puhoi.
High Wind / Gust
Electricity was cut to about 1100 homes and businesses in parts of Takanini, Papakura, Beachlands, Whitford and Waiheke Island after trees and branches fell on to overhead lines in high winds.
Flooding
at
Dome Valley
There was surface flooding on State Higwhay 1 at Dome Valley on the 12th.
Flooding
at
Kaukapakapa
Serious flooding occurred at Kaukapakapa. The deluge transformed Waikahikatea Stream into a big, brown flood plain.
Water levels had been rising steadily before high tide at midday on the 12th.
A six-year-old boy was rescued, with minor injuries, after he was swept away while canoeing with group of people at Kaukapakapa around 10:30am on the 12th.
Five adults were rescued from two vehicles that were swept away by flood waters at Kaukapakapa. The vehicles were half submerged.
State Highway 16 and the planned detours were closed all day on the 12th. An area of about 500m, where Kahikatea Flat road and the Kaipara Highway intersect, was cut off by flooding.
Maritime / Coastal
The flooding at Kaukapakapa was aggravated by a high tide 3.2 m tide, which peaked at 9:30am.
The tide peaked at 3.2 m at 9:30am on the 12th.
Flooding
at
Okahu Bay
Parts of the road at Okahu Bay were under water on the 12th.
Landslide
at
Puhoi
A slip 100 m long came down on State Highway 1 at Hungry Creek, Puhoi, overnight on the 11th/12th. Traffic was disrupted.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Heavy rain fell in the Waikato overnight on the 11th/12th.
Flooding
The Waikato River was running at least 2m above normal on the 12th.
Both the Waikato and Waipa Rivers had doubled their levels during the week up to the 12th.
Police cautioned drivers to take care on slippery roads across Waikato.
On State Highway 2 from Pokeno to Mercer there was flash flooding in various locations, causing some delays on the 12th.
Surface water was present in places on State Highway 25 from Tapu to Coromandel.
There were delays on State Highway 41 from Tokaanu to Kuratau Junction (Waihi Hill).
Flooding in the Waikato and Waipa Rivers was the result of continued rainfall, saturated catchments and already swollen river levels.
The MetService issued 10 weather warnings.
Floodgates were shut along the Waikato River, but this caused rain to pool in the paddocks of some farmers.
Farmland adjacent to the Waipa River was flooded.
Unprotected land in the Lower Waikato was flooded. The cost of the damage was $80,000 ($95,000 2008 dollars).
Estimated cost of Remedial Works to Waikato District Council for 6th-16th July: Total $50,000 ($60,000 2008 dollars). Floodgates $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars), Kimihia Pump $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), Kimihia Stopbank $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), and Harveys Pump $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars).
Estimated cost of Remedial Works to Franklin District Council for 6th-16th July: Total $100,000 ($120,000 2008 dollars). Compartment 3 Pump $20,000 ($24,000 2008 dollars), Compartment 4 Pump $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars), Millar Farlane Pump $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), and Contour Drain Stopbank $55,000 ($66,000 2008 dollars).
Estimated cost of Remedial Works to Environment Waikato for 6th-16th July: Total $15,000 ($18,000 2008 dollars). Deroles Stopbank $10,000 ($12,000 2008 dollars), and Morrison Road Floodgate $5,000 ($6000 2008 dollars).
Areas Inundated: 2,500 ha of river channels, 10,500 ha of wetlands, 4,500 ha of lakes, and about 4,200 ha of productive farmland. Total: 21,700 ha.
Landslide
State Highway 25 from Coromandel to Whitianga was closed on the 12th due to slips in the Whanapoua Hill area.
Heavy Rain
at
Hamilton
Hamilton recorded 97 mm (9.7 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
The Waikato River at Hamilton reached a peak level of 15.32 m.
The Waikato River at Hamilton had a peak flow of 560 cumecs. This was a 5 year event.
Flooding
at
Huntly
The Waikato River at Huntly reached a peak level of 10.39 m.
The Waikato River at Huntly had a peak flow of 1190 cumecs. This was a 20 year event.
Flooding
at
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo had reached full capacity on the night of the 11th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangatangi
Mangatangi recorded 225 mm (22.5 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Heavy Rain
at
Maungakawa Hill
Maungakawa recorded 130 mm (13.0 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
at
Mercer
The Waikato River overflowed at Mercer on the 12th.
50% of the 20 nearby farms were already saturated by weeks of wet weather.
The Waikato River at Mercer reached a peak level of 5.55 m.
The Waikato River at Mercer had a peak flow of 1380 cumecs. This was a 50 year event.
On one farm a cottage and the surrounding maize field were fully submerged in flood waters from the Waikato River on the morning of the 12th.
The flood waters on the farm were 1 m deep.
Heavy Rain
at
Ngaroma
Ngaroma recorded 240 mm (24.0 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th (+6.5% of July mean).
Flooding
at
Ngaruawahia
The Waikato River at Ngaruawahia reached a peak level of 12.88 m.
The Waikato River at Ngaruawahia had a peak flow of 1170 cumecs. This was a 20 year event.
Flooding
at
Otorohanga
The Waipa River at Otorohanga reached a peak level of 33.21 m.
The Waipa River at Otorohanga had a peak flow of 380 cumecs. This was a 20-50 year event.
Heavy Rain
at
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles recorded 306 mm (30.6 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
at
Pirongia
The Waipa River at Puniu reached a peak level of 13.50 m.
The Waipa River at Puniu had a peak flow of 180 cumecs. This was a 2-5 year event.
Flooding
at
Rangiriri
The Waikato River at Rangiriri reached a peak level of 8.34 m.
The Waikato River at Rangiriri had a peak flow of 1160 cumecs. This was a 20 year event.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Aroha
Te Aroha recorded 170 mm (17.0 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th (+13% of July mean).
Flooding
The Waihou River at Te Aroha reached a peak level of 9.93 m.
The Waihou River at Te Aroha had a peak flow of 135 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Kuiti
Te Kuiti recorded 156 mm (15.6 cm) of rain from the 1st to the 13th.
Flooding
The Mangaokewa River at Te Kuiti reached a peak level of 52.02 m.
The Mangaokewa River at Te Kuiti had a peak flow of 100 cumecs. This was a 5-10 year event.
Flooding
at
Whatawhata
The Waipa River at Whatawhata reached a peak level of 18.95 m.
The Waipa River at Whatawhata had a peak flow of 745 cumecs. This was a 10-20 year event.
References
- Environment Waikato Flood Document (CD).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- Munro, A. (2000). Waikato and Waipa Rivers Flood Event 6-16 July 2002. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2002/12.
- Headline: Firefighters rescue child canoeist in severe flooding.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and NZPA, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Rain brings more problems across North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Surface flooding still a problem across parts of upper North Island.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Waikato and Coromandel residents wait for flooding.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZ Herald and NZPA, 12 July 2002.
- Headline: Canoe fun in floodwaters almost turns to tragedy.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 13 July 2002.