NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
June 1997 Northland and Hawke's Bay Flooding ( 1997-06-01 )
Heavy rain, flooding, heavy seas and high winds affected parts of the upper North Island, with extensive flooding in Northland and Hawke's Bay. A CDE was delcared in Northern Hawke's Bay and evacuations took place. Homes were also evacuated in the Far North. Snow fell in the Central North Island.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 1st to the 3rd of June.
On the 1st, a low deepened (997 hPa) and travelled south-east towards Northland, steered by upper level northwesterlies. The low deepened and the air flow around it dragged the front onto north-eastern districts in the form of a warm front. It brought mild moist air at high levels, over-riding the cooler air which had previously arrived at the surface (hence rain). On the 2nd, the low deepened (983 hPa) and moved across Bay of Plenty, ending up near Mahia Peninsula. A ridge of high pressure over southern New Zealand was maintained and between the two systems a very strong southeast flow developed over much of the North Island (hence gales and swells). Heavy rain associated with an occluded front continued to affect eastern parts of the North Island, made worse by the strengthening onshore component of the wind and convective instability near the low centre, especially in northern Hawkes Bay and Mahia Peninsula (flash floods).
The Wairoa-Gisborne road was closed by slips and flooding.
Heavy Rain
Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay received 50-100 mm of rain in 24 hours.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Northland received 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
Heavy rain brought extensive flooding to Northland on the 1st, notably to Mangonui.
Many Northland farms were affected by flooding.
A number of cars were washed away, and a fire engine was stranded in flood waters.
Many houses were inundated and water had to be pumped from some buildings.
50% of the tracks were washed away at Tourist spot glow-worm caves.
Landslide
Numerous slips occurred, both minor and major.
Multi Hazard
Roads were closed by flood waters and slips.
Homes were evacuated in the Far North due to high water, slips or homes put at risk.
The cost to road networking in the north could potentially be six figures.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Cape Brett
Three people had to be rescued from a boat at Cape Brett.
Flooding
at
Fairburn
Two men were nearly washed away at Fairburn.
Multi Hazard
Homes were evacuated at Fairburn.
Flooding
at
Honeymoon Valley
The Peria and Honeymoon Valley areas were devastated by flooding.
Flooding
at
Horeke
State Highway 1 near the Horeke turn-off was closed and flooded.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaeo
Homes were evacuated near Kaeo.
State Highway 10 near Kaeo was closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaitaia
Homes were evacuated at Kaitaia.
Flooding
at
Kerikeri
The Kerikeri road to the Stone Store was closed.
Landslide
at
Mangamuka Gorge
A slip at Mangamuka Gorge closed State Highway 1.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangonui
The rainfall at Mangonui was the heaviest reported in 20 years.
Flooding
There was extensive flooding at Mangonui on the 1st.
An elderly couple were pulled from a car stuck in flood waters at Mangonui.
Heavy Rain
at
Ngunguru
Ngunguru recorded 122 mm (12.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Multi Hazard
at
Okaihau
Roads near Okaihau were closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Opua
Homes were evacuated at Opua.
Multi Hazard
at
Oromahoe
State Highway 1 was blocked by flooding and slips at Pakaraka and Mahoe.
Multi Hazard
at
Paihia
Homes were evacuated at Paihia.
Multi Hazard
at
Pakaraka
State Highway 1 was blocked by flooding and slips at Pakaraka and Mahoe.
Heavy Rain
at
Peria
Heavy rain fell in the Fairburn-Peria area on the 31st.
Flooding
A car was swept off the flooded Peria-Oruru road.
The Peria and Honeymoon Valley areas were devastated by flooding.
The damage could run into many thousands of dollars.
Cattle and sheep were drowned.
Dead cattle and sheep caught in fences and flood debris were stacked 2 m high.
Multi Hazard
Homes were evacuated at Peria.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 145 mm (14.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Multi Hazard
at
Rahiri
Homes were evacuated at Rahiri settlement in the Puketi Forest.
Heavy Rain
at
Rangiahua
Rangiahua recorded 141 mm (14.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Flooding
at
Ruakaka
A 500-metre stretch of highway at Ruakaka was flooded.
Flooding
at
Ruatangata West
The Northern Wairoa River was 6.5 m above normal at Pipiwai Road.
Flooding
at
Titoki
The Mangakahia River near Titoki Bridge peaked at 9.5 m above normal.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 177 mm (17.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Heavy rain affected Coromandel Peninsula on the 2nd.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
Heavy rain affected the Bay of Plenty on the 2nd.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Heavy rain affected Gisborne on the 2nd.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips closed many roads in Gisborne on the 3rd.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Heavy rain affected Hawke's Bay on the 2nd.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips closed many roads in Hawke's Bay on the 2nd and 3rd. State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier was closed by slips and flooding.
There were power failures associated with the storm. Many areas were left without power overnight on the 2nd/3rd, including: Waimarama and Maraetotara, Puketitiri Road, State Highway 50, Napier-Taupo Road and State Highway 2.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for Northern Hawke's Bay at 7pm on the 2nd and lasted until 9pm on the 3rd. DRC was appointed for 14 days.
All schools in northern Hawk'e s Bay were closed.
Roads were closed due to slips and erosion by high seas.
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Wairoa Floods totalled $500,000 ($656,000 2008 dollars).
High Wind / Gust
Winds gusted to 80 km/hr.
Trees were toppled by the wind.
Heavy Rain
at
Hastings
Hastings recorded more than 138 mm (13.8 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia
Inland Mahia recorded 165 mm (16.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula recorded 109.4 mm (10.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Flooding
Flash floods occurred on the Mahia Peninsula.
A number of homes were flooded.
High Wind / Gust
Power lines were brought down by the winds. Mahia Peninsula was without power from the 2nd until the 4th.
House roofs were lifted by gale-force southerly winds.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier Airport recorded 86 mm (8.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Maritime / Coastal
Heavy swells closed beaches at Napier on the 3rd.
Multi Hazard
Two flights were cancelled at Hawke's Bay Airport.
Flooding
at
Nuhaka
Flash floods occurred in Nuhaka. Water swept down from the hills and flooded the Nuhaka River.
A number of homes were flooded.
166 people were evacuated at Nuhaka on the 2nd. The fire brigade evacuated people from cars and homes when they were cuaght by flooding.
117 people had to spend the night at the township's fire station.
Flood waters from the Nuhaka River closed the main highway north.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairoa
Wairoa recorded 400 mm (40.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Wairoa recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in two hours on the 2nd.
Multi Hazard
Wairoa was isolated for a time overnight on the 2nd/3rd. State Highway 38 was closed between Wairoa and Frasertown.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Desert Road
The Desert Road (State Highway 1) was closed by snow overnight on the 2nd/3rd. A number of vehicles were stranded.
Snow / Ice
at
Waiouru
Snow fell down to the level of Waiouru.
References
- Gray, W. Overview of weather and coastal hazards in the Northland region, Part I: Weather hazards.
- Headline: 100 people trapped.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 3 June 1997.
- Headline: Power problems for some.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 3 June 1997.
- Headline: Trail of toppled trees, slips.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 3 June 1997.
- MCDEM, 2002.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 70, September 1997.
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz.
- Headline: Far North hit hardest by cyclone.
- The Northern Advocate, 2 June 1997.
- Headline: Life at risk in rescues around Northland.
- The Northern Advocate, 2 June 1997.
- Headline: Floods tear into farms in Far North.
- The Northern Advocate, 3 June 1997.
June 1997 Northland and Hawke's Bay Flooding ( 1997-06-01 )
Heavy rain, flooding, heavy seas and high winds affected parts of the upper North Island, with extensive flooding in Northland and Hawke's Bay. A CDE was delcared in Northern Hawke's Bay and evacuations took place. Homes were also evacuated in the Far North. Snow fell in the Central North Island.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 1st to the 3rd of June.
On the 1st, a low deepened (997 hPa) and travelled south-east towards Northland, steered by upper level northwesterlies. The low deepened and the air flow around it dragged the front onto north-eastern districts in the form of a warm front. It brought mild moist air at high levels, over-riding the cooler air which had previously arrived at the surface (hence rain). On the 2nd, the low deepened (983 hPa) and moved across Bay of Plenty, ending up near Mahia Peninsula. A ridge of high pressure over southern New Zealand was maintained and between the two systems a very strong southeast flow developed over much of the North Island (hence gales and swells). Heavy rain associated with an occluded front continued to affect eastern parts of the North Island, made worse by the strengthening onshore component of the wind and convective instability near the low centre, especially in northern Hawkes Bay and Mahia Peninsula (flash floods).
The Wairoa-Gisborne road was closed by slips and flooding.
Heavy Rain
Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay received 50-100 mm of rain in 24 hours.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Northland received 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
Heavy rain brought extensive flooding to Northland on the 1st, notably to Mangonui.
Many Northland farms were affected by flooding.
A number of cars were washed away, and a fire engine was stranded in flood waters.
Many houses were inundated and water had to be pumped from some buildings.
50% of the tracks were washed away at Tourist spot glow-worm caves.
Landslide
Numerous slips occurred, both minor and major.
Multi Hazard
Roads were closed by flood waters and slips.
Homes were evacuated in the Far North due to high water, slips or homes put at risk.
The cost to road networking in the north could potentially be six figures.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Cape Brett
Three people had to be rescued from a boat at Cape Brett.
Flooding
at
Fairburn
Two men were nearly washed away at Fairburn.
Multi Hazard
Homes were evacuated at Fairburn.
Flooding
at
Honeymoon Valley
The Peria and Honeymoon Valley areas were devastated by flooding.
Flooding
at
Horeke
State Highway 1 near the Horeke turn-off was closed and flooded.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaeo
Homes were evacuated near Kaeo.
State Highway 10 near Kaeo was closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaitaia
Homes were evacuated at Kaitaia.
Flooding
at
Kerikeri
The Kerikeri road to the Stone Store was closed.
Landslide
at
Mangamuka Gorge
A slip at Mangamuka Gorge closed State Highway 1.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangonui
The rainfall at Mangonui was the heaviest reported in 20 years.
Flooding
There was extensive flooding at Mangonui on the 1st.
An elderly couple were pulled from a car stuck in flood waters at Mangonui.
Heavy Rain
at
Ngunguru
Ngunguru recorded 122 mm (12.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Multi Hazard
at
Okaihau
Roads near Okaihau were closed.
Multi Hazard
at
Opua
Homes were evacuated at Opua.
Multi Hazard
at
Oromahoe
State Highway 1 was blocked by flooding and slips at Pakaraka and Mahoe.
Multi Hazard
at
Paihia
Homes were evacuated at Paihia.
Multi Hazard
at
Pakaraka
State Highway 1 was blocked by flooding and slips at Pakaraka and Mahoe.
Heavy Rain
at
Peria
Heavy rain fell in the Fairburn-Peria area on the 31st.
Flooding
A car was swept off the flooded Peria-Oruru road.
The Peria and Honeymoon Valley areas were devastated by flooding.
The damage could run into many thousands of dollars.
Cattle and sheep were drowned.
Dead cattle and sheep caught in fences and flood debris were stacked 2 m high.
Multi Hazard
Homes were evacuated at Peria.
Heavy Rain
at
Puhipuhi
Puhipuhi recorded 145 mm (14.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Multi Hazard
at
Rahiri
Homes were evacuated at Rahiri settlement in the Puketi Forest.
Heavy Rain
at
Rangiahua
Rangiahua recorded 141 mm (14.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Flooding
at
Ruakaka
A 500-metre stretch of highway at Ruakaka was flooded.
Flooding
at
Ruatangata West
The Northern Wairoa River was 6.5 m above normal at Pipiwai Road.
Flooding
at
Titoki
The Mangakahia River near Titoki Bridge peaked at 9.5 m above normal.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 177 mm (17.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 1st.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Waikato
Heavy rain affected Coromandel Peninsula on the 2nd.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
Heavy rain affected the Bay of Plenty on the 2nd.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Heavy rain affected Gisborne on the 2nd.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips closed many roads in Gisborne on the 3rd.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Heavy rain affected Hawke's Bay on the 2nd.
Multi Hazard
Flooding and slips closed many roads in Hawke's Bay on the 2nd and 3rd. State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier was closed by slips and flooding.
There were power failures associated with the storm. Many areas were left without power overnight on the 2nd/3rd, including: Waimarama and Maraetotara, Puketitiri Road, State Highway 50, Napier-Taupo Road and State Highway 2.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for Northern Hawke's Bay at 7pm on the 2nd and lasted until 9pm on the 3rd. DRC was appointed for 14 days.
All schools in northern Hawk'e s Bay were closed.
Roads were closed due to slips and erosion by high seas.
Insurance Industry Payouts for the Wairoa Floods totalled $500,000 ($656,000 2008 dollars).
High Wind / Gust
Winds gusted to 80 km/hr.
Trees were toppled by the wind.
Heavy Rain
at
Hastings
Hastings recorded more than 138 mm (13.8 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia
Inland Mahia recorded 165 mm (16.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula recorded 109.4 mm (10.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Flooding
Flash floods occurred on the Mahia Peninsula.
A number of homes were flooded.
High Wind / Gust
Power lines were brought down by the winds. Mahia Peninsula was without power from the 2nd until the 4th.
House roofs were lifted by gale-force southerly winds.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier Airport recorded 86 mm (8.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Maritime / Coastal
Heavy swells closed beaches at Napier on the 3rd.
Multi Hazard
Two flights were cancelled at Hawke's Bay Airport.
Flooding
at
Nuhaka
Flash floods occurred in Nuhaka. Water swept down from the hills and flooded the Nuhaka River.
A number of homes were flooded.
166 people were evacuated at Nuhaka on the 2nd. The fire brigade evacuated people from cars and homes when they were cuaght by flooding.
117 people had to spend the night at the township's fire station.
Flood waters from the Nuhaka River closed the main highway north.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairoa
Wairoa recorded 400 mm (40.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 2nd.
Wairoa recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in two hours on the 2nd.
Multi Hazard
Wairoa was isolated for a time overnight on the 2nd/3rd. State Highway 38 was closed between Wairoa and Frasertown.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Desert Road
The Desert Road (State Highway 1) was closed by snow overnight on the 2nd/3rd. A number of vehicles were stranded.
Snow / Ice
at
Waiouru
Snow fell down to the level of Waiouru.
References
- Gray, W. Overview of weather and coastal hazards in the Northland region, Part I: Weather hazards.
- Headline: 100 people trapped.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 3 June 1997.
- Headline: Power problems for some.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 3 June 1997.
- Headline: Trail of toppled trees, slips.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 3 June 1997.
- MCDEM, 2002.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 70, September 1997.
- www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz.
- Headline: Far North hit hardest by cyclone.
- The Northern Advocate, 2 June 1997.
- Headline: Life at risk in rescues around Northland.
- The Northern Advocate, 2 June 1997.
- Headline: Floods tear into farms in Far North.
- The Northern Advocate, 3 June 1997.