NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
June 1921 North Island Flooding
(
1921-06-15
)
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 15th till the 17th of June.
The centre of a "cyclone" passed down the west coast of the North Island and in the vicinity of Cook Strait on the night of the 17th.
North Island
Flooding
at
North Island
On the 15th and 16th very heavy rain caused floods in many of the rivers in the northern districts of the North Island.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Weather forecast for the 24 hours from 9am on the 16th: "Indications are for south-easterly winds, strong to gale at times. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled. Heavy rain to be expected, and the night will probably be very cold, Barometer rising soon. Seas heavy and tides good."
Mr Wragge's forecast for four days from the 17th: "Weather still very unsettled and rainy under a sudden abnormal tropical depression combining with the northern edge of the Antarctic disturbance Zenothal. Finer conditions soon, but another disturbance named Abimeth expected. Winds cyclonic and very variable, rapidly shifting from north-east to north-west and south-west. Rough to heavy seas, but moderating. Unusual solar influences are operating. No cyclone is implied by "cyclone", which is a technical term.
Heavy Rain
at
Onerahi
Light showers fell throughout the day on the 15th. Heavy rain fell throughout the night and, caught by fierce gusts, drove like small shots against walls and windows.
Rain fell in torrents and a low-lying mist made navigation dangerous.
High Wind / Gust
At night on the 15th the wind, veering from west to south-east and north-east, brought up a small easterly buster.
Maritime / Coastal
On the morning of the 16th a wild sea was running in the harbour.
Multi Hazard
The flying mail was interrupted on the 16th and 17th, but resumed running again on the 18th.
Flooding
at
Tangiteroria
On the 17th the floodwaters at Taylor's Flat near Tangiteroria were backed up by the high tide in the Wairoa River and covered the road, making it impassable.
The water was more than 3 ft (90 cm) deep over the road.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
There was exceptionally heavy rain on the East Coast on the 16th.
Various rivers were in high flood on the 16th.
Kahukura received 5 in (12.7 cm) of rain.
Flooding
A considerable amount of damage was done.
Between Waipiro Bay and Tokomaru Bay the rivers were higher than they had been for two or three years.
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne city
Gisborne recorded 2.34 in (5.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangarakai homestead
Mangarakia received 6.20 in (15.7 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Pakihiroa homestead
Pakihiroa received 7 in (17.8 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Puketiti homestead
Puketiti received 7.90 in (20.1cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Tokomaru Bay
Tokomaru Bay received 6.20 in (15.7 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Waiapu River
The Waiapu River rose rapidly, to 17 ft (5.2 m) above normal.
Two spans of the Waiapu Bridge were washed away.
The Waiapu Bridge had cost £14,000 ($1,043,000 2008 dollars) to date and £6,000 ($447,000 2008 dollars) was required to complete job - a total of £20,000 ($1,490,000 2008 dollars).
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Floods on coast.
- The Gisborne Times, 18 June 1921.
- New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1923, Heading: Rainfall for the Year 1921.
- Headline: The weather: Heavy rain interlude.
- The Northern Advocate, 16 June 1921.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 June 1921.
- Headline: Local and general.
- The Northern Advocate, 18 June 1921.
- Headline: Onerahi chronicles.
- The Northern Advocate, 21 June 1921.
June 1921 North Island Flooding
(
1921-06-15
)
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 15th till the 17th of June.
The centre of a "cyclone" passed down the west coast of the North Island and in the vicinity of Cook Strait on the night of the 17th.
North Island
Flooding
at
North Island
On the 15th and 16th very heavy rain caused floods in many of the rivers in the northern districts of the North Island.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Weather forecast for the 24 hours from 9am on the 16th: "Indications are for south-easterly winds, strong to gale at times. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled. Heavy rain to be expected, and the night will probably be very cold, Barometer rising soon. Seas heavy and tides good."
Mr Wragge's forecast for four days from the 17th: "Weather still very unsettled and rainy under a sudden abnormal tropical depression combining with the northern edge of the Antarctic disturbance Zenothal. Finer conditions soon, but another disturbance named Abimeth expected. Winds cyclonic and very variable, rapidly shifting from north-east to north-west and south-west. Rough to heavy seas, but moderating. Unusual solar influences are operating. No cyclone is implied by "cyclone", which is a technical term.
Heavy Rain
at
Onerahi
Light showers fell throughout the day on the 15th. Heavy rain fell throughout the night and, caught by fierce gusts, drove like small shots against walls and windows.
Rain fell in torrents and a low-lying mist made navigation dangerous.
High Wind / Gust
At night on the 15th the wind, veering from west to south-east and north-east, brought up a small easterly buster.
Maritime / Coastal
On the morning of the 16th a wild sea was running in the harbour.
Multi Hazard
The flying mail was interrupted on the 16th and 17th, but resumed running again on the 18th.
Flooding
at
Tangiteroria
On the 17th the floodwaters at Taylor's Flat near Tangiteroria were backed up by the high tide in the Wairoa River and covered the road, making it impassable.
The water was more than 3 ft (90 cm) deep over the road.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
There was exceptionally heavy rain on the East Coast on the 16th.
Various rivers were in high flood on the 16th.
Kahukura received 5 in (12.7 cm) of rain.
Flooding
A considerable amount of damage was done.
Between Waipiro Bay and Tokomaru Bay the rivers were higher than they had been for two or three years.
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne city
Gisborne recorded 2.34 in (5.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangarakai homestead
Mangarakia received 6.20 in (15.7 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Pakihiroa homestead
Pakihiroa received 7 in (17.8 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Puketiti homestead
Puketiti received 7.90 in (20.1cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Tokomaru Bay
Tokomaru Bay received 6.20 in (15.7 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Waiapu River
The Waiapu River rose rapidly, to 17 ft (5.2 m) above normal.
Two spans of the Waiapu Bridge were washed away.
The Waiapu Bridge had cost £14,000 ($1,043,000 2008 dollars) to date and £6,000 ($447,000 2008 dollars) was required to complete job - a total of £20,000 ($1,490,000 2008 dollars).
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Floods on coast.
- The Gisborne Times, 18 June 1921.
- New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1923, Heading: Rainfall for the Year 1921.
- Headline: The weather: Heavy rain interlude.
- The Northern Advocate, 16 June 1921.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 June 1921.
- Headline: Local and general.
- The Northern Advocate, 18 June 1921.
- Headline: Onerahi chronicles.
- The Northern Advocate, 21 June 1921.