NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
July 2017 New Zealand Flood ( 2017-07-20 )
A large complex low pressure system brought heavy rain and gales to Otago and Canterbury, causing significant flooding during the period 20-22 July. The Bay of Plenty area was also badly affected.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 20th to the 22nd of July.
Insurance claims totalled $20.9 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 7:51pm 19-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN FOR BAY OF PLENTY AND ROTORUA A large complex low pressure system is expected to move over the country on Thursday, and its associated front should move across the North Island from late morning to overnight Thursday, bringing a burst of heavy rain to the northern parts of the Island. The heaviest falls are expected in Bay of Plenty and Rotorua from Thursday afternoon to overnight, where 90 to 110mm of rain could accumulate in 9 to 12 hours.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:52am 20-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN FOR BAY OF PLENTY, CANTERBURY AND EASTERN OTAGO. ALSO, STRONG WINDS FOR AUCKLAND, BAY OF PLENTY AND GISBORNE. A large complex low pressure system is expected to move over the country today and slowly move east during Friday and Saturday. An associated front crosses the North Island, bringing a period of severe gale northeasterlies and a burst of heavy rain to northern parts of the Island. The strongest winds are expected in Bay of Plenty and Gisborne where northeast gusts could reach 120 km/h in exposed places. The heaviest rain is expected in Bay of Plenty and Rotorua from this afternoon to overnight tonight, and 100mm of rain could accumulate in 12 hours. Rain is also expected to become heavy over eastern districts of the South Island during Friday and continue into Saturday as the complex low pressure system moves east. The heaviest falls are expected in Canterbury and eastern Otago where up to 160mm of rain could accumulate, with snow lowering to 800 metres about the Canterbury High Country during Friday evening.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:08pm 20-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN FOR BAY OF PLENTY, CANTERBURY AND EASTERN OTAGO. NORTHEAST GALES ABOUT BAY OF PLENTY AND GISBORNE EASING THURSDAY NIGHT.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:17am 21-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE GALES FOR PARTS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND . A deep low lies slow moving just off the coast of Marlborough and north Canterbury today, directing a strong and moist southeast flow across the South Island, and strong northwesterlies across the North Island.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:54pm 21-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE GALES FOR PARTS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND A deep low just off the coast of Canterbury, directs a strong and moist southeast flow across the South Island, and strong northwesterlies across the North Island. The low is forecast to slowly move away to the east tomorrow.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:01pm 22-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN IN CANTERBURY AND EASTERN OTAGO HAS NOW EASED
Otago
Multi Hazard
at
Otago
A State of Emergency was declared for the entire Otago Region due to the flooding. States of Emergency had already been declared in Dunedin City and the Waitaki District including Oamaru.
The Oamaru rain total surpassed its wettest July day on record.
Flights to and from Dunedin and Queenstown airports were cancelled on the afternoon of 22 July.
Many Otago rivers threatened to breach their banks and many residents near the Taieri River were evacuated.
People were evacuated from low-lying areas of Oamaru and Mosgiel. About 220 homes were evacuated across the region from Oamaru to Milton and inland to the Ida Valley. Around 100 of them were in Outram near Dunedin airport.
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
225mm of rain fell in less than 24 hours at Swampy Spur, and about 80mm was recorded at Musselburgh.
There were approximately 26 slips on roads across Dunedin city.
12 houses in St Clair were evacuated due to a slip.
People were evacuated from low-lying areas of Dunedin due to the flooding.
A slip on Harington Point Rd effectively cut off residents on the Otago Peninsula.
Motorists were advised to avoid all non-essential travel, particularly in the Taieri and Otago Peninsula areas.
Canterbury
Flooding
at
Canterbury
1500 people were told to get out of low-lying communities in South Canterbury.
Homes were flooded in Ashburton and the council issued a boil water notice.
Flooding
at
Timaru
A State of Emergency was declared in the Timaru District.
The Army was called into Timaru to help support the police.
Flooding
at
Christchurch
A State of Emergency was called by the Christchurch City Council on 22 July, after the Heathcote River burst its banks and flooded southern parts of the city.
Banks Peninsula was cut off, following closures to Gebbies Pass and Dyers Pass Rd.
Christchurch residents near the Heathcote river were asked to evacuate their homes as water levels were expected to peak during high tide. Some residents near the Heathcote River were evacuated in boats because the current was too strong for them to leave on foot.
Significant flooding inundated many streets at the foot of the Port Hills
Civil Defence also issued warnings to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere residents, as flooding was expected due to high water levels.
Wastewater pump stations were flooded and waste water was reported to be flowing on to streets. Residents in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula were asked to limit showering, washing and flushing.
Residents of Selwyn Hutts near Christchurch were evacuated as the stop banks failed.
Bay of Plenty
Multi Hazard
at
Bay of Plenty
Roofs were lifted from a Waihi Beach home and a telephone exchange building in Murupara.
Multi Hazard
at
Rotorua
Power was cut to hundreds of homes, most near Lake Okareka, as Rotorua was battered by heavy rain and winds gusting up to 120km/h. Surface flooding was also affecting some roads in the area.
Severe gales took down trees and road signs and sent trampolines flying.
References
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (http://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disaster/historical-events)
- State of emergency in Dunedin, army in Timaru to assist Civil Defence as wild weather hits
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 July 2017.
- Storm chaos - flooding, slips, snow and road damage make driving hazardous in Otago
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 July 2017.
- Headline: Winter storm chaos: What you need to know
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 July 2017.
- Headline: Christchurch residents evacuated by boat as Heathcote River floods
- www.stuff.co.nz, 22 July 2017.
July 2017 New Zealand Flood ( 2017-07-20 )
A large complex low pressure system brought heavy rain and gales to Otago and Canterbury, causing significant flooding during the period 20-22 July. The Bay of Plenty area was also badly affected.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 20th to the 22nd of July.
Insurance claims totalled $20.9 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 7:51pm 19-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN FOR BAY OF PLENTY AND ROTORUA A large complex low pressure system is expected to move over the country on Thursday, and its associated front should move across the North Island from late morning to overnight Thursday, bringing a burst of heavy rain to the northern parts of the Island. The heaviest falls are expected in Bay of Plenty and Rotorua from Thursday afternoon to overnight, where 90 to 110mm of rain could accumulate in 9 to 12 hours.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:52am 20-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN FOR BAY OF PLENTY, CANTERBURY AND EASTERN OTAGO. ALSO, STRONG WINDS FOR AUCKLAND, BAY OF PLENTY AND GISBORNE. A large complex low pressure system is expected to move over the country today and slowly move east during Friday and Saturday. An associated front crosses the North Island, bringing a period of severe gale northeasterlies and a burst of heavy rain to northern parts of the Island. The strongest winds are expected in Bay of Plenty and Gisborne where northeast gusts could reach 120 km/h in exposed places. The heaviest rain is expected in Bay of Plenty and Rotorua from this afternoon to overnight tonight, and 100mm of rain could accumulate in 12 hours. Rain is also expected to become heavy over eastern districts of the South Island during Friday and continue into Saturday as the complex low pressure system moves east. The heaviest falls are expected in Canterbury and eastern Otago where up to 160mm of rain could accumulate, with snow lowering to 800 metres about the Canterbury High Country during Friday evening.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:08pm 20-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN FOR BAY OF PLENTY, CANTERBURY AND EASTERN OTAGO. NORTHEAST GALES ABOUT BAY OF PLENTY AND GISBORNE EASING THURSDAY NIGHT.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 9:17am 21-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE GALES FOR PARTS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND . A deep low lies slow moving just off the coast of Marlborough and north Canterbury today, directing a strong and moist southeast flow across the South Island, and strong northwesterlies across the North Island.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:54pm 21-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE GALES FOR PARTS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND A deep low just off the coast of Canterbury, directs a strong and moist southeast flow across the South Island, and strong northwesterlies across the North Island. The low is forecast to slowly move away to the east tomorrow.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING 8:01pm 22-Jul-2017. HEAVY RAIN IN CANTERBURY AND EASTERN OTAGO HAS NOW EASED
Otago
Multi Hazard
at
Otago
A State of Emergency was declared for the entire Otago Region due to the flooding. States of Emergency had already been declared in Dunedin City and the Waitaki District including Oamaru.
The Oamaru rain total surpassed its wettest July day on record.
Flights to and from Dunedin and Queenstown airports were cancelled on the afternoon of 22 July.
Many Otago rivers threatened to breach their banks and many residents near the Taieri River were evacuated.
People were evacuated from low-lying areas of Oamaru and Mosgiel. About 220 homes were evacuated across the region from Oamaru to Milton and inland to the Ida Valley. Around 100 of them were in Outram near Dunedin airport.
Multi Hazard
at
Dunedin
225mm of rain fell in less than 24 hours at Swampy Spur, and about 80mm was recorded at Musselburgh.
There were approximately 26 slips on roads across Dunedin city.
12 houses in St Clair were evacuated due to a slip.
People were evacuated from low-lying areas of Dunedin due to the flooding.
A slip on Harington Point Rd effectively cut off residents on the Otago Peninsula.
Motorists were advised to avoid all non-essential travel, particularly in the Taieri and Otago Peninsula areas.
Canterbury
Flooding
at
Canterbury
1500 people were told to get out of low-lying communities in South Canterbury.
Homes were flooded in Ashburton and the council issued a boil water notice.
Flooding
at
Timaru
A State of Emergency was declared in the Timaru District.
The Army was called into Timaru to help support the police.
Flooding
at
Christchurch
A State of Emergency was called by the Christchurch City Council on 22 July, after the Heathcote River burst its banks and flooded southern parts of the city.
Banks Peninsula was cut off, following closures to Gebbies Pass and Dyers Pass Rd.
Christchurch residents near the Heathcote river were asked to evacuate their homes as water levels were expected to peak during high tide. Some residents near the Heathcote River were evacuated in boats because the current was too strong for them to leave on foot.
Significant flooding inundated many streets at the foot of the Port Hills
Civil Defence also issued warnings to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere residents, as flooding was expected due to high water levels.
Wastewater pump stations were flooded and waste water was reported to be flowing on to streets. Residents in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula were asked to limit showering, washing and flushing.
Residents of Selwyn Hutts near Christchurch were evacuated as the stop banks failed.
Bay of Plenty
Multi Hazard
at
Bay of Plenty
Roofs were lifted from a Waihi Beach home and a telephone exchange building in Murupara.
Multi Hazard
at
Rotorua
Power was cut to hundreds of homes, most near Lake Okareka, as Rotorua was battered by heavy rain and winds gusting up to 120km/h. Surface flooding was also affecting some roads in the area.
Severe gales took down trees and road signs and sent trampolines flying.
References
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (http://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disaster/historical-events)
- State of emergency in Dunedin, army in Timaru to assist Civil Defence as wild weather hits
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 July 2017.
- Storm chaos - flooding, slips, snow and road damage make driving hazardous in Otago
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 July 2017.
- Headline: Winter storm chaos: What you need to know
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 22 July 2017.
- Headline: Christchurch residents evacuated by boat as Heathcote River floods
- www.stuff.co.nz, 22 July 2017.