NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue

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March 1924 Hawke's Bay Flooding ( 1924-03-11 )

Heavy rain in Napier lead to a landslide and resulted in a casualty. A man drowned in the Esk River in Kaiwaka.

North Island

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at North Island
Duration:   2  days - There was heavy rain and flooding in Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Manawatu-Wanganui on the 11th and 12th of March 1924.
Comments:

Hawke's Bay

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Hawke's Bay
Comments:

ImpactOn the 11th very heavy rain and floods were experienced in the Hawke's Bay and northern districts. The heavy rain followed a very dry period resulting in widepread flooding and extensive damage.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

CauseThere was a clash of airmasses, with warm air from the depression meeting a surge of cold air to the south. Widespread thunderstorms were occurring within the warm airmass, suggesting that air was already unusually unstable. Warm air became trapped in Hawke's Bay, then became undercut by a cold southerly, leading to violent convection.

Physical CharacteristicAn area, extended from Napier in south to Waikare River in north, received over 250 mm (25.0 cm) of rainfall.

Physical CharacteristicAt one locality, 5 in (12.7 cm) of rain was reported to have fallen in one hour. This exceeds the official all-time New Zealand record of 109 mm in one hour which was recorded at Leigh, North Auckland on 30th May 2001.

CommentThe rainfall had a return period of over 100 years.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactAll rivers in the area were in high flood.

Affected LifelineThere was extensive damage to roads and bridges. There were many large wash outs and several bridges around the district were washed away and others damaged, including Napier-Te Pohue road approaches to Munn's bridge was washed away, Lucky Hill bridge was washed away, Fernhill bridge approaches were washed away and along Napier-Petone road the Tutaekuri bridge was badly damaged. Along the Okawa-Mangawhare road the Tois bridge was washed away.

Affected LifelineRailway services were interrupted by washouts and damaged bridges. Railway communication was stopped beyond Hastings.

Damage CostThe damage to roads and bridges in Hawke's Bay county amounted to over £17,000 ($1,890,400 2010 dollars).

Property DamageThere was widespread damage to private and public property.

Stock DamageThousands of sheep and cattle were lost.

CommentWind was driving from the south-west.

CommentThe speed of the flood didn’t give farmers enough time to remove stock to safety.

Crop DamageCrops such as pumpkins were destroyed. Many stacks of hay were a total loss.

Property DamageHouses were ruined and fences were broken.

Physical CharacteristicThe level of some Hawke's Bay rivers exceeded those of the 1897 flood. Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri rivers rose 3 ft (0.91 m) higher than the 1897 flood.

ImpactSilt deposits covered farmland and towns.

CommentA flood warning was issued by the Meteorological Office.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineRoad communication with Taupo and Wairoa was blocked by slips between Petane and Eskdale and to Tangoio and on Taupo Road.

FloodingFlooding at Clive
Map Location: -39.586947 176.912721
Comments:

EvacueesClive township was waist deep in water and all settlers were moved from the danger areas.

CommentThe flooding in Clive was more severe than in 1897.

Affected LifelineClive Bridge was severely damaged through large quantities drift wood piling against the structure.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Crissoge
Map Location: -39.570482 176.776564
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe road was impassable at Crissoge.

FloodingFlooding at Esk River
Map Location: -39.188987 176.788919
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicEsk River rose 4-5 ft (1.22-1.52 m) higher than previous records, and in one place soared 6 ft (1.83 m) on 15 minutes.

ImpactThe river was unable to cope with such volumes of water and rapidly overflowed into the valley.

Affected LifelineThe railway embankment was washed out in several places.

DamageTrees were uprooted, fences were broken and hundreds of pounds of damage was done in a short time.

Physical CharacteristicEsk River rose 5 metres.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Eskdale
Map Location: -39.394568 176.82922
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicEskdale recorded 419 mm (41.9 cm) of rain in nine hours.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Hastings
Map Location: -39.635771 176.828045
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHastings recorded 1.90 in (4.83 cm) of rain over the storm period.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactHastings suffered little or no flooding.

FloodingFlooding at Karamu
Map Location: -39.630771 176.883147
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe Karamu bridge was completely submerged.

FloodingFlooding at Kaiwaka station
Map Location: -39.306444 176.808684
Comments:

CasualtiesA man was drowned in the Esk River at Kaiwaka.

FloodingFlooding at Meeanee
Map Location: -39.542704 176.888089
Comments:

Property DamageA house at Meeanee was demolished by floodwaters.

Physical CharacteristicThe main road in Meeanee was covered to a depth of over 3 ft (0.91 m).

FloodingFlooding at Moeangiangi River
Map Location: -39.24103 177.01083
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMoeangiangi River rose 7.5 metres.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Napier
Map Location: -39.502426 176.892804
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNelson Park in Napier recorded 6.84 in (17.37 cm) of rain in 10 hours.

Physical CharacteristicHospital Hill in Napier recorded 9.52 in (24.18 cm) of rain in six hours (with an average of 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain per hour).

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineWater invaded the main street in Napier, nearly as deep as in 1897.

ImpactThe land was a huge sheet of water from Taradale to Napier.

Affected LifelineCommunication was cut off with Napier.

ImpactWater was over the car bonnets at Greenmeadows.

Damage CostThere was £2000 ($222,400 2010 dollars) worth of damage done by water in the flooded cellars at Port Ahuriri.

Affected LifelineWater flooded Hastings Street and suspended tram traffic.

Affected LifelineEmerson Street, Tennyson street, Hasting Street, Browning street and Church Lane most important thoroughfares were flooded.

Affected LifelineMcDonald and Kennedy Road were the worst affected areas in south Napier.

ImpactMany houses were invaded by floodwaters on Carlyne Street.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal
Comments:

CommentThere was a heavy swell due to wind at sea.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

CasualtiesA slip 40 ft (12 m) high and 30 ft (9 m) long crashed into houses on Shakespeare Road. It destroyed two rooms in one house resulting in the one casualty and the next house was swung around several feet off the foundations.

Affected LifelineThe slip on Shakespeare Road suspended traffic.

FloodingFlooding at Ngaruroro River
Map Location: -39.580827 176.799364
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNgaruroro River rose 6 ft (1.83 m) in 35 minutes and in places reached levels higher than the 1897 flood. The river rose over 9 ft (2.74 m).

ImpactThe river flooded large areas of land around Clive and Pakowai.

Stock DamageThere were considerable stock losses, running into several thousand head.

FloodingFlooding at Omahu
Map Location: -39.5798 176.76172
Comments:

ImpactThe river overflowed and flooded roads and adjoining paddocks.

FloodingFlooding at Pakowhai
Map Location: -39.584175 176.861298
Comments:

Stock DamageApproximately 5000 sheep and several dairy herds were drowned in Pakowhai and it was expected settlers in other areas suffered severely.

Property DamageTutaekuri River caused considerable damage to property.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Puketapu
Map Location: -39.508443 176.793634
Comments:

Affected LifelineSuspension bridge at Puketapu was damaged by strong gales displacing one steel cable in the suspension bridge.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Rissington
Map Location: -39.427512 176.704332
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 512 mm (51.2 cm) of rain in 10 hours to 5pm on the 11th (which has a return period of well over 150 years).

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 229 mm (22.9 cm) of rain in 2.75 hours to 11:45am on the 11th (which has a return period of well over 150 years).

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Damage CostRissington bridge was swept away by the floodwaters on the Mangaohani Stream which joins to the Tutaekuri River at Dartmoor. It was estimated to cost £5000 ($556,000 2010 dollars) to repair. The bridge was 27 ft 10 in above the summer water level showing the tremendous volume of water that must have been in the river. The loss of the bridge meant that all the country on the other side was cut off by the main road including Patoka and Puketitiri.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tangoio
Map Location: -39.327667 176.914911
Comments:

CommentThere was a cloudburst over the Tangoio district.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Property DamageTwo houses were washed away at Tangoio.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe road through Tangoio, the main connection to Wairoa, was impassable with slips and trees across road and in places the road top has been completely washed away.

FloodingFlooding at Taradale
Map Location: -39.53975 176.84425
Comments:

ImpactTaradale was extensively flooded.

Evacuees200 people were evacuated from the town.

ImpactThe whole district, extending from Murphy's road to the Church of England at Meeanee, was a mass of floodwaters.

FloodingFlooding at Tutaekuri River
Map Location: -39.450942 176.634072
Comments:

ImpactTutaekuri River reached a record height and broke its banks at Maiohiki, flooding the surrounding area.

ImpactFloodwaters between Meeanee and Otatara rose to the tops of fences.

Stock DamageStock losses were severe in this area.

ImpactTutaekuri River broke its south bank at Puketapu and flowed over Moteo area towards Omahu.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tutira
Map Location: -39.207531 176.881485
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTutira recorded 203 mm (20.3 cm) of rain in three hours to 10am on the 11th (which has a return period of well over 150 years).

FloodingFlooding at Twyford
Map Location: -39.601017 176.802225
Comments:

EvacueesNgaruroro River broke over its banks in the Raupare area and residents in the surrounding areas were evacuated.

FloodingFlooding at Waipunga River
Map Location: -38.8879 176.52567
Comments:

Damage14 huts were washed away at Waipunga public works camp.

FloodingFlooding at Whakatu
Map Location: -39.604048 176.900288
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAt the Whakatu bridge there was a mass of debris build up against the four centre spans. The timber formed a weir and the water on the upstream side was at least 4 ft (1.22 m) higher than the other side. At the height of the flood the water level was 15 ft (4.57 m) above normal

FloodingFlooding at Whanawhana
Map Location: -39.542825 176.431084
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOtamauri Creek at Whanawhana Road was 6 ft (1.83 m) above normal.

Taranaki

FloodingFlooding at Ararata
Map Location: -39.51035 174.37644
Comments:

ImpactLow-lying land between Ararata and Douglas was underwater on the 11th.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

CommentThere were slips in the Ararata district.

FloodingFlooding at Hawera
Map Location: -39.586876 174.27571
Comments:

Affected LifelineTangahoe bridge was flooded.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at New Plymouth
Map Location: -39.051214 174.06972
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNew Plymouth recorded 2.35 in (5.97 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Opunake
Map Location: -39.456198 173.859526
Comments:

ImpactThere was surface flooding at Opunake.

Affected LifelineThe main road was flooded.

DamageThere was considerable damage to river banks in the Opunake district.

FloodingFlooding at Rahotu
Map Location: -39.325994 173.805636
Comments:

CommentRivers at Rahotu were in high flood.

Manawatu-Wanganui

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Manawatu-Wanganui
Comments:

CommentThere was heavy rain in the inland districts of Manawatu-Wanganui on the 11th.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe Main Trunk railway was blocked by two slips.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

Damage CostDamage to Waimarino county roads amounted to £1100 ($122,300 2010 dollars).

FloodingFlooding at Kauangaroa
Map Location: -39.92519 175.280278
Comments:

Affected LifelineWhangaehu River rose rapidly and the Kauangaroa Bridge was washed away.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Taumarunui
Map Location: -38.880217 175.262459
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTaumarunui recorded 4 in (10.16 cm) of rain in three days.

FloodingFlooding at Whanganui River
Map Location: -39.804402 175.120908
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWanganui River rose 18 in (0.46 m) above normal.

References

Cowie, C.A; Attwood, A.K.(1957) FLOODS in NEW ZEALAND 1920 -53, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand 239p.
Hawkes Bay Regional Council: www.hbrc.govt.nz
Johnston, D.D., and Pearse, L.J. 2007. Hazards in Hawke's Bay. Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier, New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEARBOOK, 1926, Heading: Rainfall for the Year 1924
NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
Taranaki Catchment Commission and Regional Water Board Technical Report 82-4. Flood Events in Taranaki.
Headline: Disastrous Floods.
The Hawkes Bay Tribune, 12 March 1924.
Headline: After the floods.
The Hawkes Bay Tribune, 13 March 1924.

March 1924 Hawke's Bay Flooding ( 1924-03-11 )

Heavy rain in Napier lead to a landslide and resulted in a casualty. A man drowned in the Esk River in Kaiwaka.

North Island

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at North Island
Duration:   2  days - There was heavy rain and flooding in Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Manawatu-Wanganui on the 11th and 12th of March 1924.
Comments:

Hawke's Bay

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Hawke's Bay
Comments:

ImpactOn the 11th very heavy rain and floods were experienced in the Hawke's Bay and northern districts. The heavy rain followed a very dry period resulting in widepread flooding and extensive damage.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

CauseThere was a clash of airmasses, with warm air from the depression meeting a surge of cold air to the south. Widespread thunderstorms were occurring within the warm airmass, suggesting that air was already unusually unstable. Warm air became trapped in Hawke's Bay, then became undercut by a cold southerly, leading to violent convection.

Physical CharacteristicAn area, extended from Napier in south to Waikare River in north, received over 250 mm (25.0 cm) of rainfall.

Physical CharacteristicAt one locality, 5 in (12.7 cm) of rain was reported to have fallen in one hour. This exceeds the official all-time New Zealand record of 109 mm in one hour which was recorded at Leigh, North Auckland on 30th May 2001.

CommentThe rainfall had a return period of over 100 years.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactAll rivers in the area were in high flood.

Affected LifelineThere was extensive damage to roads and bridges. There were many large wash outs and several bridges around the district were washed away and others damaged, including Napier-Te Pohue road approaches to Munn's bridge was washed away, Lucky Hill bridge was washed away, Fernhill bridge approaches were washed away and along Napier-Petone road the Tutaekuri bridge was badly damaged. Along the Okawa-Mangawhare road the Tois bridge was washed away.

Affected LifelineRailway services were interrupted by washouts and damaged bridges. Railway communication was stopped beyond Hastings.

Damage CostThe damage to roads and bridges in Hawke's Bay county amounted to over £17,000 ($1,890,400 2010 dollars).

Property DamageThere was widespread damage to private and public property.

Stock DamageThousands of sheep and cattle were lost.

CommentWind was driving from the south-west.

CommentThe speed of the flood didn’t give farmers enough time to remove stock to safety.

Crop DamageCrops such as pumpkins were destroyed. Many stacks of hay were a total loss.

Property DamageHouses were ruined and fences were broken.

Physical CharacteristicThe level of some Hawke's Bay rivers exceeded those of the 1897 flood. Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri rivers rose 3 ft (0.91 m) higher than the 1897 flood.

ImpactSilt deposits covered farmland and towns.

CommentA flood warning was issued by the Meteorological Office.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineRoad communication with Taupo and Wairoa was blocked by slips between Petane and Eskdale and to Tangoio and on Taupo Road.

FloodingFlooding at Clive
Map Location: -39.586947 176.912721
Comments:

EvacueesClive township was waist deep in water and all settlers were moved from the danger areas.

CommentThe flooding in Clive was more severe than in 1897.

Affected LifelineClive Bridge was severely damaged through large quantities drift wood piling against the structure.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Crissoge
Map Location: -39.570482 176.776564
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe road was impassable at Crissoge.

FloodingFlooding at Esk River
Map Location: -39.188987 176.788919
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicEsk River rose 4-5 ft (1.22-1.52 m) higher than previous records, and in one place soared 6 ft (1.83 m) on 15 minutes.

ImpactThe river was unable to cope with such volumes of water and rapidly overflowed into the valley.

Affected LifelineThe railway embankment was washed out in several places.

DamageTrees were uprooted, fences were broken and hundreds of pounds of damage was done in a short time.

Physical CharacteristicEsk River rose 5 metres.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Eskdale
Map Location: -39.394568 176.82922
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicEskdale recorded 419 mm (41.9 cm) of rain in nine hours.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Hastings
Map Location: -39.635771 176.828045
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicHastings recorded 1.90 in (4.83 cm) of rain over the storm period.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactHastings suffered little or no flooding.

FloodingFlooding at Karamu
Map Location: -39.630771 176.883147
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe Karamu bridge was completely submerged.

FloodingFlooding at Kaiwaka station
Map Location: -39.306444 176.808684
Comments:

CasualtiesA man was drowned in the Esk River at Kaiwaka.

FloodingFlooding at Meeanee
Map Location: -39.542704 176.888089
Comments:

Property DamageA house at Meeanee was demolished by floodwaters.

Physical CharacteristicThe main road in Meeanee was covered to a depth of over 3 ft (0.91 m).

FloodingFlooding at Moeangiangi River
Map Location: -39.24103 177.01083
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMoeangiangi River rose 7.5 metres.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Napier
Map Location: -39.502426 176.892804
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNelson Park in Napier recorded 6.84 in (17.37 cm) of rain in 10 hours.

Physical CharacteristicHospital Hill in Napier recorded 9.52 in (24.18 cm) of rain in six hours (with an average of 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain per hour).

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineWater invaded the main street in Napier, nearly as deep as in 1897.

ImpactThe land was a huge sheet of water from Taradale to Napier.

Affected LifelineCommunication was cut off with Napier.

ImpactWater was over the car bonnets at Greenmeadows.

Damage CostThere was £2000 ($222,400 2010 dollars) worth of damage done by water in the flooded cellars at Port Ahuriri.

Affected LifelineWater flooded Hastings Street and suspended tram traffic.

Affected LifelineEmerson Street, Tennyson street, Hasting Street, Browning street and Church Lane most important thoroughfares were flooded.

Affected LifelineMcDonald and Kennedy Road were the worst affected areas in south Napier.

ImpactMany houses were invaded by floodwaters on Carlyne Street.

Maritime / CoastalMaritime / Coastal
Comments:

CommentThere was a heavy swell due to wind at sea.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

CasualtiesA slip 40 ft (12 m) high and 30 ft (9 m) long crashed into houses on Shakespeare Road. It destroyed two rooms in one house resulting in the one casualty and the next house was swung around several feet off the foundations.

Affected LifelineThe slip on Shakespeare Road suspended traffic.

FloodingFlooding at Ngaruroro River
Map Location: -39.580827 176.799364
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNgaruroro River rose 6 ft (1.83 m) in 35 minutes and in places reached levels higher than the 1897 flood. The river rose over 9 ft (2.74 m).

ImpactThe river flooded large areas of land around Clive and Pakowai.

Stock DamageThere were considerable stock losses, running into several thousand head.

FloodingFlooding at Omahu
Map Location: -39.5798 176.76172
Comments:

ImpactThe river overflowed and flooded roads and adjoining paddocks.

FloodingFlooding at Pakowhai
Map Location: -39.584175 176.861298
Comments:

Stock DamageApproximately 5000 sheep and several dairy herds were drowned in Pakowhai and it was expected settlers in other areas suffered severely.

Property DamageTutaekuri River caused considerable damage to property.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Puketapu
Map Location: -39.508443 176.793634
Comments:

Affected LifelineSuspension bridge at Puketapu was damaged by strong gales displacing one steel cable in the suspension bridge.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Rissington
Map Location: -39.427512 176.704332
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 512 mm (51.2 cm) of rain in 10 hours to 5pm on the 11th (which has a return period of well over 150 years).

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 229 mm (22.9 cm) of rain in 2.75 hours to 11:45am on the 11th (which has a return period of well over 150 years).

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Damage CostRissington bridge was swept away by the floodwaters on the Mangaohani Stream which joins to the Tutaekuri River at Dartmoor. It was estimated to cost £5000 ($556,000 2010 dollars) to repair. The bridge was 27 ft 10 in above the summer water level showing the tremendous volume of water that must have been in the river. The loss of the bridge meant that all the country on the other side was cut off by the main road including Patoka and Puketitiri.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tangoio
Map Location: -39.327667 176.914911
Comments:

CommentThere was a cloudburst over the Tangoio district.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Property DamageTwo houses were washed away at Tangoio.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe road through Tangoio, the main connection to Wairoa, was impassable with slips and trees across road and in places the road top has been completely washed away.

FloodingFlooding at Taradale
Map Location: -39.53975 176.84425
Comments:

ImpactTaradale was extensively flooded.

Evacuees200 people were evacuated from the town.

ImpactThe whole district, extending from Murphy's road to the Church of England at Meeanee, was a mass of floodwaters.

FloodingFlooding at Tutaekuri River
Map Location: -39.450942 176.634072
Comments:

ImpactTutaekuri River reached a record height and broke its banks at Maiohiki, flooding the surrounding area.

ImpactFloodwaters between Meeanee and Otatara rose to the tops of fences.

Stock DamageStock losses were severe in this area.

ImpactTutaekuri River broke its south bank at Puketapu and flowed over Moteo area towards Omahu.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tutira
Map Location: -39.207531 176.881485
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTutira recorded 203 mm (20.3 cm) of rain in three hours to 10am on the 11th (which has a return period of well over 150 years).

FloodingFlooding at Twyford
Map Location: -39.601017 176.802225
Comments:

EvacueesNgaruroro River broke over its banks in the Raupare area and residents in the surrounding areas were evacuated.

FloodingFlooding at Waipunga River
Map Location: -38.8879 176.52567
Comments:

Damage14 huts were washed away at Waipunga public works camp.

FloodingFlooding at Whakatu
Map Location: -39.604048 176.900288
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAt the Whakatu bridge there was a mass of debris build up against the four centre spans. The timber formed a weir and the water on the upstream side was at least 4 ft (1.22 m) higher than the other side. At the height of the flood the water level was 15 ft (4.57 m) above normal

FloodingFlooding at Whanawhana
Map Location: -39.542825 176.431084
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOtamauri Creek at Whanawhana Road was 6 ft (1.83 m) above normal.

Taranaki

FloodingFlooding at Ararata
Map Location: -39.51035 174.37644
Comments:

ImpactLow-lying land between Ararata and Douglas was underwater on the 11th.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

CommentThere were slips in the Ararata district.

FloodingFlooding at Hawera
Map Location: -39.586876 174.27571
Comments:

Affected LifelineTangahoe bridge was flooded.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at New Plymouth
Map Location: -39.051214 174.06972
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicNew Plymouth recorded 2.35 in (5.97 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Opunake
Map Location: -39.456198 173.859526
Comments:

ImpactThere was surface flooding at Opunake.

Affected LifelineThe main road was flooded.

DamageThere was considerable damage to river banks in the Opunake district.

FloodingFlooding at Rahotu
Map Location: -39.325994 173.805636
Comments:

CommentRivers at Rahotu were in high flood.

Manawatu-Wanganui

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Manawatu-Wanganui
Comments:

CommentThere was heavy rain in the inland districts of Manawatu-Wanganui on the 11th.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe Main Trunk railway was blocked by two slips.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

Damage CostDamage to Waimarino county roads amounted to £1100 ($122,300 2010 dollars).

FloodingFlooding at Kauangaroa
Map Location: -39.92519 175.280278
Comments:

Affected LifelineWhangaehu River rose rapidly and the Kauangaroa Bridge was washed away.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Taumarunui
Map Location: -38.880217 175.262459
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTaumarunui recorded 4 in (10.16 cm) of rain in three days.

FloodingFlooding at Whanganui River
Map Location: -39.804402 175.120908
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWanganui River rose 18 in (0.46 m) above normal.

References

Cowie, C.A; Attwood, A.K.(1957) FLOODS in NEW ZEALAND 1920 -53, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand 239p.
Hawkes Bay Regional Council: www.hbrc.govt.nz
Johnston, D.D., and Pearse, L.J. 2007. Hazards in Hawke's Bay. Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier, New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEARBOOK, 1926, Heading: Rainfall for the Year 1924
NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
Taranaki Catchment Commission and Regional Water Board Technical Report 82-4. Flood Events in Taranaki.
Headline: Disastrous Floods.
The Hawkes Bay Tribune, 12 March 1924.
Headline: After the floods.
The Hawkes Bay Tribune, 13 March 1924.