NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
July_2021_South_Island_Flooding ( 2021-07-16 )
The combination of a moist northwesterly flow over central New Zealand and a slow-moving front over the central South Island persisted for several days. The severity of the storm was due to its prolonged nature, with heavy rain persisting over three to four days. Heavy rainfalls occurred in the mountains, as the mild conditions meant that rain instead of snow fell at higher altitudes than usual. Widespread and severe flooding occurred, with Westport being particularly badly affected when the Buller River broke its banks and inundated the town.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Insurance claims totalled $140.47 million: $97.2 million on the West Coast, $17.88 million in Wellington, $17.35 million in Upper South Island, and $8.04 million in North Island (excluding Wellington).
MetService SEVERE WEATHER at 10:04 am Thursday 15-Jul-2021. Significant heavy rain for the northwest of the South Island. Heavy rain and northerly gales for central New Zealand.
An active front moves eastwards across the southern and central New Zealand from later today through into Saturday. This front is preceded by heavy rain for western areas, and northerly gales for many parts of central New Zealand. Note, heavy rain from central Westland to northwest Nelson is expected to be significant, with potential for flooding, slips and disruption to transport, also impact for exposed livestock. Severe northerly gales in Wellington may disrupt power, cause damage to insecure structures and make driving conditions hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING at 2:31 pm Thursday 15-Jul-2021. RED WARNING for heavy rain in parts of Westland and Buller. Heavy rain and northerly gales for central New Zealand.
An active front moves eastwards across the southern and central New Zealand from later today through into Saturday. This front is preceded by heavy rain for western areas, and northerly gales for many parts of central New Zealand. Note, a RED WARNING is now in force for significant heavy rain from central Westland to Buller with flooding likely, slips and disruption to transport, some communities could become isolated, also impact for exposed livestock. Severe northerly gales in Wellington may disrupt power, cause damage to insecure structures and make driving conditions hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING SEVERE WEATHER WARNING at 10:16 am Friday 16-Jul-2021. RED WARNING for heavy rain in parts of Westland and Buller. Heavy rain and northerly gales for many parts of central and northern New Zealand
An active front over the Tasman Sea moves slowly eastwards across New Zealand today and Saturday. This front has brought heavy rain to the west coast of the South Island and is expected to bring further heavy rain and northerly gales to many parts of central and northern New Zealand.
A RED WARNING remains in force for significant heavy rain from central Westland to Buller. Flooding is quite likely in some areas, as are slips and disruption to transport. Some communities could become isolated, and livestock should be moved to high ground.
Also, severe northerly gales about parts of central New Zealand could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and make driving hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER at 9:51 am Saturday 17-Jul-2021. RED WARNING for heavy rain remains for Buller. Heavy rain and northerly gales for many parts of central and northern New Zealand
An active front over the Tasman Sea moves slowly eastwards across central and northern New Zealand today, followed by a broad trough on Sunday. This front has brought heavy rain to many parts of central New Zealand and is expected to bring further heavy rain and northerly gales to central and northern areas.
A RED WARNING remains in force for heavy rain in Buller. Further flooding is quite likely in some areas, as are slips and disruption to transport, and power outages. Some communities could become isolated.
Also, severe northerly gales about parts of central New Zealand could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and make driving hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER at 8:37 am Sunday 18-Jul-2021. Further heavy rain and northwest gales for parts of central New Zealand
A broad active trough over central and northern New Zealand is forecast to bring further periods of heavy rain and strong winds today (Sunday) and into the early hours of Monday morning.
The Orange Warning for Heavy Rain in Buller has now been lifted.
However, a Heavy Rain Watch is now in force for Buller and also northwest Nelson for a time today. Heavy Rain Watches are also in force for parts of the lower North Island.
The Strong Wind Warning for Wellington and Wairarapa south of Featherston is now lifted. However, Strong Wind Watches remain in force for the remainder of Wairarapa, the Tararua District and Hawkes Bay south of Hastings until early this afternoon.
West Coast
Flooding
at
West Coast
The Buller District Council declared a State of Emergency, expecting that houses would be flooded.
The Buller River was running at a 50-year flood level.
About 1000 people spent the night in evacuation centres in the Buller district.
A Temporary Accommodation Service was set up to help those whose homes were damaged by the flooding and severe weather across the West Coast and Marlborough.
The government pledged $300,000 to help the Buller district.
About 1000 stock may have drowned in the flood event.
Water conservation orders were issued for residents in Buller. They were asked to use water sparingly.
A climate station in the Hokitika catchment recorded 622 mm of rain in 42 hours during the event.
All of State Highway 6, south of Hokitika through to Haast had surface flooding in places.
Flooding
at
Westport
The West Coast Civil Defence asked residents in particular streets to voluntarily evecuate. An evacuation centre was set up at Westport South School.
The NZ Army helped to evacuate 200 Westport residents.
Eighty-nine Westport homes were red-stickered, meaning they had suffered severe or irreparable damage, and 400 were yellow-stickered, meaning they had suffered moderate damage.
Marlborough
Flooding
at
Marlborough
A State of Emergencywas declared in Marlborough.
More than 900 people from 500 properties in Marlborough were advised to leave their homes as the region was hit by its largest flood on record.
Residents were evacuated from their homes in Tuamarina, Spring Creek, and the Lower Wairau.
State Highway 1 between Picton and Spring Creek was closed, as was State Highway 6 between Rai Valley and Renwick.
Vehicles were stranded along SH1 between Picton and Blenheim.
The government pledged $100,000 to help repair damage in the Marlborough district.
Flooding
at
Linkwater
QueenCharlotte Drive between Linkwater and Havelock was closed to all vehicles. Kenpuru Road between Linkwater and Willow Bay was only accessible to residents.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington
State Highway 2 between Ngauranga and Petone was closed due to flooding across the motorway.
State Highway 2 was closed at the Remutaka Hill Road, north of Wellington.
State Highway 1 north of Wellington, between Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay was partially closed with a large slip covering most of the road.
Several properties in the suburb of Newlands were evacuated after a slip.
References
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (https://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disasters/cost-of-natural-disasters/)
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 166, Spring 2021.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.)
- Headline: Wild weather: Rare ‘red warning’ issued for parts of South Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 16 July 2021.
- Headline: Wild weather: Homes evacuated, roads closed across top of South Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 17 July 2021.
- Headline: Wild weather: What you need to know.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 17 July 2021.
- Headline: Army helps out Westport residents: ‘There was water in their yards’.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Marlborough and Buller Floods: Thousands wait to return home.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Flood-hit Marlborough residents told they can return to their homes.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Government announces financial aid for flood-hit Coasters, Marlborough.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Hundreds in flood-hit West Coast spend another night out of their homes.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 19 July 2021.
- Headline: Westport flooding: Residents may need housing support for months.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 21 July 2021.
- Headline: Defence Force helps clean-up flood damage in Westport.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 July 2021.
July_2021_South_Island_Flooding ( 2021-07-16 )
The combination of a moist northwesterly flow over central New Zealand and a slow-moving front over the central South Island persisted for several days. The severity of the storm was due to its prolonged nature, with heavy rain persisting over three to four days. Heavy rainfalls occurred in the mountains, as the mild conditions meant that rain instead of snow fell at higher altitudes than usual. Widespread and severe flooding occurred, with Westport being particularly badly affected when the Buller River broke its banks and inundated the town.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Insurance claims totalled $140.47 million: $97.2 million on the West Coast, $17.88 million in Wellington, $17.35 million in Upper South Island, and $8.04 million in North Island (excluding Wellington).
MetService SEVERE WEATHER at 10:04 am Thursday 15-Jul-2021. Significant heavy rain for the northwest of the South Island. Heavy rain and northerly gales for central New Zealand.
An active front moves eastwards across the southern and central New Zealand from later today through into Saturday. This front is preceded by heavy rain for western areas, and northerly gales for many parts of central New Zealand. Note, heavy rain from central Westland to northwest Nelson is expected to be significant, with potential for flooding, slips and disruption to transport, also impact for exposed livestock. Severe northerly gales in Wellington may disrupt power, cause damage to insecure structures and make driving conditions hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING at 2:31 pm Thursday 15-Jul-2021. RED WARNING for heavy rain in parts of Westland and Buller. Heavy rain and northerly gales for central New Zealand.
An active front moves eastwards across the southern and central New Zealand from later today through into Saturday. This front is preceded by heavy rain for western areas, and northerly gales for many parts of central New Zealand. Note, a RED WARNING is now in force for significant heavy rain from central Westland to Buller with flooding likely, slips and disruption to transport, some communities could become isolated, also impact for exposed livestock. Severe northerly gales in Wellington may disrupt power, cause damage to insecure structures and make driving conditions hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING SEVERE WEATHER WARNING at 10:16 am Friday 16-Jul-2021. RED WARNING for heavy rain in parts of Westland and Buller. Heavy rain and northerly gales for many parts of central and northern New Zealand
An active front over the Tasman Sea moves slowly eastwards across New Zealand today and Saturday. This front has brought heavy rain to the west coast of the South Island and is expected to bring further heavy rain and northerly gales to many parts of central and northern New Zealand.
A RED WARNING remains in force for significant heavy rain from central Westland to Buller. Flooding is quite likely in some areas, as are slips and disruption to transport. Some communities could become isolated, and livestock should be moved to high ground.
Also, severe northerly gales about parts of central New Zealand could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and make driving hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER at 9:51 am Saturday 17-Jul-2021. RED WARNING for heavy rain remains for Buller. Heavy rain and northerly gales for many parts of central and northern New Zealand
An active front over the Tasman Sea moves slowly eastwards across central and northern New Zealand today, followed by a broad trough on Sunday. This front has brought heavy rain to many parts of central New Zealand and is expected to bring further heavy rain and northerly gales to central and northern areas.
A RED WARNING remains in force for heavy rain in Buller. Further flooding is quite likely in some areas, as are slips and disruption to transport, and power outages. Some communities could become isolated.
Also, severe northerly gales about parts of central New Zealand could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and make driving hazardous.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER at 8:37 am Sunday 18-Jul-2021. Further heavy rain and northwest gales for parts of central New Zealand
A broad active trough over central and northern New Zealand is forecast to bring further periods of heavy rain and strong winds today (Sunday) and into the early hours of Monday morning.
The Orange Warning for Heavy Rain in Buller has now been lifted.
However, a Heavy Rain Watch is now in force for Buller and also northwest Nelson for a time today. Heavy Rain Watches are also in force for parts of the lower North Island.
The Strong Wind Warning for Wellington and Wairarapa south of Featherston is now lifted. However, Strong Wind Watches remain in force for the remainder of Wairarapa, the Tararua District and Hawkes Bay south of Hastings until early this afternoon.
West Coast
Flooding
at
West Coast
The Buller District Council declared a State of Emergency, expecting that houses would be flooded.
The Buller River was running at a 50-year flood level.
About 1000 people spent the night in evacuation centres in the Buller district.
A Temporary Accommodation Service was set up to help those whose homes were damaged by the flooding and severe weather across the West Coast and Marlborough.
The government pledged $300,000 to help the Buller district.
About 1000 stock may have drowned in the flood event.
Water conservation orders were issued for residents in Buller. They were asked to use water sparingly.
A climate station in the Hokitika catchment recorded 622 mm of rain in 42 hours during the event.
All of State Highway 6, south of Hokitika through to Haast had surface flooding in places.
Flooding
at
Westport
The West Coast Civil Defence asked residents in particular streets to voluntarily evecuate. An evacuation centre was set up at Westport South School.
The NZ Army helped to evacuate 200 Westport residents.
Eighty-nine Westport homes were red-stickered, meaning they had suffered severe or irreparable damage, and 400 were yellow-stickered, meaning they had suffered moderate damage.
Marlborough
Flooding
at
Marlborough
A State of Emergencywas declared in Marlborough.
More than 900 people from 500 properties in Marlborough were advised to leave their homes as the region was hit by its largest flood on record.
Residents were evacuated from their homes in Tuamarina, Spring Creek, and the Lower Wairau.
State Highway 1 between Picton and Spring Creek was closed, as was State Highway 6 between Rai Valley and Renwick.
Vehicles were stranded along SH1 between Picton and Blenheim.
The government pledged $100,000 to help repair damage in the Marlborough district.
Flooding
at
Linkwater
QueenCharlotte Drive between Linkwater and Havelock was closed to all vehicles. Kenpuru Road between Linkwater and Willow Bay was only accessible to residents.
Wellington
Multi Hazard
at
Wellington
State Highway 2 between Ngauranga and Petone was closed due to flooding across the motorway.
State Highway 2 was closed at the Remutaka Hill Road, north of Wellington.
State Highway 1 north of Wellington, between Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay was partially closed with a large slip covering most of the road.
Several properties in the suburb of Newlands were evacuated after a slip.
References
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (https://www.icnz.org.nz/natural-disasters/cost-of-natural-disasters/)
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.), Newsletter 166, Spring 2021.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.)
- Headline: Wild weather: Rare ‘red warning’ issued for parts of South Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 16 July 2021.
- Headline: Wild weather: Homes evacuated, roads closed across top of South Island.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 17 July 2021.
- Headline: Wild weather: What you need to know.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 17 July 2021.
- Headline: Army helps out Westport residents: ‘There was water in their yards’.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Marlborough and Buller Floods: Thousands wait to return home.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Flood-hit Marlborough residents told they can return to their homes.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Government announces financial aid for flood-hit Coasters, Marlborough.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 18 July 2021.
- Headline: Hundreds in flood-hit West Coast spend another night out of their homes.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 19 July 2021.
- Headline: Westport flooding: Residents may need housing support for months.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 21 July 2021.
- Headline: Defence Force helps clean-up flood damage in Westport.
- www.radionz.co.nz, 22 July 2021.