NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
June-July 1997 Upper North and South Island Flooding
(
1997-06-30
)
20 years
Heavy rain brought flooding to Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay in the North Island, and high winds were also experienced. Heavy rain and flooding occurred in Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast in the South Island. Parts of Northland experienced extreme rainfall, and a man was injured when a car hit him as he stood in flood waters. One person was killed when a car hit a fallen tree.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From 30th June to 2nd July.
On the 1st, a deep, complex depression developed in the northern Tasman Sea. A strong northerly flow developed ahead of this depression, dragging moist, humid air towards New Zealand. On the 2nd, an associated cold front crossed the North Island. A very strong, moist northerly flow ahead of the front was responsible for the heavy rain in northern districts, the wind flow was at the ideal angle of onshore flow into the Bay of Plenty region.
Heavy Rain
Some places received more than 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
The storm brought floods to a number of districts, including the Central Plateau and Bay of Plenty.
North Island
High Wind / Gust
at
North Island
Gale force winds caused problems, with trees and powerlines downed from Northland to Bay of Plenty.
A person was killed when a car crashed into a fallen tree (region unknown).
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
The northerly rain storm's initial impact occurred in the South Island's West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough.
Northland
Flooding
at
Northland
There was extensive flooding in rural areas in the Far North. Hundreds of hectares of farmland were inundated.
Houses, motels and cars were flooded. An estimated 20 houses spread through the district were flooded.
It was the most widespread flooding in the Far North for 20 years and was the worst flooding since Bola in some areas.
Primary and secondary school students from over 10 schools were sent home.
Approximatley 25 houses and properties were damaged.
Landslide
Many roads, including State Highway 1 were closed due to slips on the 30th. A total of 35 roads were blocked or damaged by flooding and slips.
Multi Hazard
Convection flared up on a front, moving south over Northland. The front appeared to activate in response to an upper level trough, guided by a 100-knot mid-level north-west jet near Norfolk Island creating strong divergence across the far north of the North Island. A strong easterly gradient added to rainfall intensities.
State Highways 1, 10, and 12 were closed.
Roading repairs from the flood were estimated to be in excess of $500,000 ($650,000 2008 dollars).
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Whangarei and District Floods on 30th June totalled $1,700,000 ($2,300,000 2008 dollars).
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Northland Floods totalled $1,200,000 ($1,570,000 2008 dollars).
Landslide
at
Ahipara
Two houses at Tasman Heights, Ahipara, were evacuated when slips behind them threatened the houses.
Heavy Rain
at
Brynderwyn
The Brynderwyn Hills recorded 310 mm (31.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th (Return Period more than 150 years).
The Brynderwyn Hills recorded 96 mm (9.6 cm) of rain in one hour on the 30th (Return Period more than 150 years).
The Brynderwyn Hills recorded 165 mm (16.5 cm) of rain in two hours on the 30th (Return Period well over 150 years).
Flooding
at
Cable Bay
Houses at Cable Bay were evacuated due to flooding.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 84 mm (8.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded 82 mm (8.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Kerikeri recorded 140 mm (14.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Kerikeri recorded 50.2 mm (5.0 cm) of rain in one hour on the 30th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Parua Bay
A 12-metre yacht broke free in Parua Bay and ended up on rocks.
Heavy Rain
at
Purerua
Purerua recorded 131 mm (13.1 cm) of rain in the seven hours to 4pm on the 30th (Return Period 80 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Maungaturoto
Maungaturoto recorded 268 mm (26.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Flood waters washed through the Maungatoroto Dairy Factory.
A 20-year-old man was taken to hospital after being struck by a car while standing in flood waters.
Flooding
at
Mill Bay
Houses at Mill Bay were evacuated due to flooding.
Heavy Rain
at
Ngunguru
Ngunguru recorded 151 mm (15.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Heavy Rain
at
Oakleigh
Oakleigh recorded 92 mm (9.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Flooding
at
One Tree Point
Two homes at One Tree Point were evacuated due to flooding.
Landslide
at
Opua
Residents of a 100-year-old block of flats on the waterfront at Opua were evacuated as a slip threatened the building.
Flooding
at
Paihia
Seven units of a motel at Paihia were flooded.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 180 mm (18.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Russell
Three units of a motel at Russell were flooded.
Flooding
at
Taipa
A school bus had to be evacuated at Taipa.
Flooding
at
Tangowahine
Tangowahine school closed early and remained closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipu
Waipu recorded 220 mm (22.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Flooding
Swollen rivers blocked the bridges at each end of the Waipu township on the 30th.
Paddocks were turned into a lake.
Several businesses were flooded with ankle-deep water.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 103 mm (10.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Flooding
The Okara sewage pumping station overflowed into the harbour.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
High rainfall occurred throughout the Coromandel, Tongariro and Taupo.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
High rainfall occurred throughout the Bay of Plenty.
The Bay of Plenty received 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain in an hour.
Multi Hazard
Many roads closed overnight on the 1st/2nd.
Flooding
The Whakatane River reached its highest level since 1964.
Flooding
at
Waimana
The town of Waimana was isolated by record river levels.
Farmland around Waimana was flooded.
The pastures on one Waimana farm were buried under more than 1 m of silt.
After the flooding on their farm, one couple had spent $70,000 trying to revive their low-lying pastures, and their lost income stood at about $100,000 (a total of $220,000 2008 dollars).
Another farm across the Waimana River, which was probably the worst-hit by the floods, lost pasture, fence posts and a section of the only road leading to the property. They had spent nearly $100,000 ($130,000 2008 dollars) on repairing the farm and road.
Hawke's Bay
Flooding
at
Hawke's Bay
Flooding occurred in Hawke's Bay on the 1st.
Marlborough
Heavy Rain
at
Marlborough
High rainfall occurred throughout Marlborough.
Flooding
Rural areas of the Marlborough Sounds were badly affected.
Rivers ran high.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips affected roads.
Flooding and slips affected properties.
Landslide
at
Havelock
Slips damaged homes in Havelock.
People were evacuated in Havelock.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Tasman-Nelson
High rainfall occurred throughout Golden Bay and Nelson.
Flooding
Rural areas of Nelson were badly affected.
Landslide
at
Brightwater
Slips damaged homes in Brighwater.
People were evacuated in Brighwater.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
West Coast
High rainfall occurred throughout Buller.
References
- 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.
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Flood-hit farms now bogged down in financial quagmire.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 3 July 1999.
- Headline: Day of rain brings chaos to lower Northland area.
- The Northern Advocate, 1 July 1997.
- Headline: Deluge brings Bola-style flooding.
- The Northern Advocate, 1 July 1997.
- Headline: Floods cause havoc.
- The Northern Advocate, 1 July 1997.
- Headline: Lastest floods undo clean-up effort.
- The Northern Advocate, 2 July 1997.
June-July 1997 Upper North and South Island Flooding
(
1997-06-30
)
20 years
Heavy rain brought flooding to Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay in the North Island, and high winds were also experienced. Heavy rain and flooding occurred in Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast in the South Island. Parts of Northland experienced extreme rainfall, and a man was injured when a car hit him as he stood in flood waters. One person was killed when a car hit a fallen tree.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From 30th June to 2nd July.
On the 1st, a deep, complex depression developed in the northern Tasman Sea. A strong northerly flow developed ahead of this depression, dragging moist, humid air towards New Zealand. On the 2nd, an associated cold front crossed the North Island. A very strong, moist northerly flow ahead of the front was responsible for the heavy rain in northern districts, the wind flow was at the ideal angle of onshore flow into the Bay of Plenty region.
Heavy Rain
Some places received more than 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain.
Flooding
The storm brought floods to a number of districts, including the Central Plateau and Bay of Plenty.
North Island
High Wind / Gust
at
North Island
Gale force winds caused problems, with trees and powerlines downed from Northland to Bay of Plenty.
A person was killed when a car crashed into a fallen tree (region unknown).
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
The northerly rain storm's initial impact occurred in the South Island's West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough.
Northland
Flooding
at
Northland
There was extensive flooding in rural areas in the Far North. Hundreds of hectares of farmland were inundated.
Houses, motels and cars were flooded. An estimated 20 houses spread through the district were flooded.
It was the most widespread flooding in the Far North for 20 years and was the worst flooding since Bola in some areas.
Primary and secondary school students from over 10 schools were sent home.
Approximatley 25 houses and properties were damaged.
Landslide
Many roads, including State Highway 1 were closed due to slips on the 30th. A total of 35 roads were blocked or damaged by flooding and slips.
Multi Hazard
Convection flared up on a front, moving south over Northland. The front appeared to activate in response to an upper level trough, guided by a 100-knot mid-level north-west jet near Norfolk Island creating strong divergence across the far north of the North Island. A strong easterly gradient added to rainfall intensities.
State Highways 1, 10, and 12 were closed.
Roading repairs from the flood were estimated to be in excess of $500,000 ($650,000 2008 dollars).
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Whangarei and District Floods on 30th June totalled $1,700,000 ($2,300,000 2008 dollars).
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Northland Floods totalled $1,200,000 ($1,570,000 2008 dollars).
Landslide
at
Ahipara
Two houses at Tasman Heights, Ahipara, were evacuated when slips behind them threatened the houses.
Heavy Rain
at
Brynderwyn
The Brynderwyn Hills recorded 310 mm (31.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th (Return Period more than 150 years).
The Brynderwyn Hills recorded 96 mm (9.6 cm) of rain in one hour on the 30th (Return Period more than 150 years).
The Brynderwyn Hills recorded 165 mm (16.5 cm) of rain in two hours on the 30th (Return Period well over 150 years).
Flooding
at
Cable Bay
Houses at Cable Bay were evacuated due to flooding.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 84 mm (8.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded 82 mm (8.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Kerikeri
Kerikeri recorded 140 mm (14.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Kerikeri recorded 50.2 mm (5.0 cm) of rain in one hour on the 30th.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Parua Bay
A 12-metre yacht broke free in Parua Bay and ended up on rocks.
Heavy Rain
at
Purerua
Purerua recorded 131 mm (13.1 cm) of rain in the seven hours to 4pm on the 30th (Return Period 80 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Maungaturoto
Maungaturoto recorded 268 mm (26.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Flood waters washed through the Maungatoroto Dairy Factory.
A 20-year-old man was taken to hospital after being struck by a car while standing in flood waters.
Flooding
at
Mill Bay
Houses at Mill Bay were evacuated due to flooding.
Heavy Rain
at
Ngunguru
Ngunguru recorded 151 mm (15.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Heavy Rain
at
Oakleigh
Oakleigh recorded 92 mm (9.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Flooding
at
One Tree Point
Two homes at One Tree Point were evacuated due to flooding.
Landslide
at
Opua
Residents of a 100-year-old block of flats on the waterfront at Opua were evacuated as a slip threatened the building.
Flooding
at
Paihia
Seven units of a motel at Paihia were flooded.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 180 mm (18.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Russell
Three units of a motel at Russell were flooded.
Flooding
at
Taipa
A school bus had to be evacuated at Taipa.
Flooding
at
Tangowahine
Tangowahine school closed early and remained closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Waipu
Waipu recorded 220 mm (22.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Flooding
Swollen rivers blocked the bridges at each end of the Waipu township on the 30th.
Paddocks were turned into a lake.
Several businesses were flooded with ankle-deep water.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 103 mm (10.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 30th.
Flooding
The Okara sewage pumping station overflowed into the harbour.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
High rainfall occurred throughout the Coromandel, Tongariro and Taupo.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
High rainfall occurred throughout the Bay of Plenty.
The Bay of Plenty received 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain in an hour.
Multi Hazard
Many roads closed overnight on the 1st/2nd.
Flooding
The Whakatane River reached its highest level since 1964.
Flooding
at
Waimana
The town of Waimana was isolated by record river levels.
Farmland around Waimana was flooded.
The pastures on one Waimana farm were buried under more than 1 m of silt.
After the flooding on their farm, one couple had spent $70,000 trying to revive their low-lying pastures, and their lost income stood at about $100,000 (a total of $220,000 2008 dollars).
Another farm across the Waimana River, which was probably the worst-hit by the floods, lost pasture, fence posts and a section of the only road leading to the property. They had spent nearly $100,000 ($130,000 2008 dollars) on repairing the farm and road.
Hawke's Bay
Flooding
at
Hawke's Bay
Flooding occurred in Hawke's Bay on the 1st.
Marlborough
Heavy Rain
at
Marlborough
High rainfall occurred throughout Marlborough.
Flooding
Rural areas of the Marlborough Sounds were badly affected.
Rivers ran high.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips affected roads.
Flooding and slips affected properties.
Landslide
at
Havelock
Slips damaged homes in Havelock.
People were evacuated in Havelock.
Tasman-Nelson
Heavy Rain
at
Tasman-Nelson
High rainfall occurred throughout Golden Bay and Nelson.
Flooding
Rural areas of Nelson were badly affected.
Landslide
at
Brightwater
Slips damaged homes in Brighwater.
People were evacuated in Brighwater.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
West Coast
High rainfall occurred throughout Buller.
References
- 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.
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Flood-hit farms now bogged down in financial quagmire.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 3 July 1999.
- Headline: Day of rain brings chaos to lower Northland area.
- The Northern Advocate, 1 July 1997.
- Headline: Deluge brings Bola-style flooding.
- The Northern Advocate, 1 July 1997.
- Headline: Floods cause havoc.
- The Northern Advocate, 1 July 1997.
- Headline: Lastest floods undo clean-up effort.
- The Northern Advocate, 2 July 1997.