NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue

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ModerateMarch 1944 Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Flooding ( 1944-03-05 )

28 years

There was extensive flooding and heavy rain over Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Many roads were blocked by slips, washouts and surface water. Road and rail communications were suspended.

North Island

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at North Island
Duration:   2  days - There was extensive flooding and heavy rain over Hawke's Bay and Gisborne from the 5th to the 7th March 1944.
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe railway line from Napier to Gisborne was severely damaged.

Gisborne

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Gisborne
Comments:

CommentThere was heavy rain along the East Coast on the 6th March 1944. It rained continuously for over 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

DamageThere was extensive flooding especially in the Waipaoa River and serious damage to public works.

Affected LifelineMany roads were blocked by slips, washouts and surface water. Road and rail communications were suspended.

Affected LifelineThere was floodwater on the railway line between Matawhero-Muriwai to a depth of 12 in (0.3 m) in places.

Crop DamageThere were very heavy crop losses in the lower river flats and severe pasture damage.

Stock DamageStock losses were small.

Area12,000 acres (48.56 km^2) of Poverty Bay Flats were flooded and 3000 acres (12.14 km^2) were heavily silted.

CommentThe flooding on the Poverty Bay flats was the greatest since 1916.

AreaThe total area covered by the flood was 14,000 acres (56.66 km^2).

Damage CostDamage throughout the district including roads amounted to £87,906 ($6,648,250 2010 dollars).

Damage CostThe damage to county roads amounted to £25,325 ($1,915,300 2010 dollars).

Damage CostThe damage to main highways amounted to £9445 ($714,300 2010 dollars).

Damage CostThe damage to state highways amounted to £8525 ($644,700 2010 dollars).

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineTwo trains were isolated due to slips and the damage to the Gisborne-Napier line was extensive.

Affected LifelineThere were major slips on the Gisborne-Motuhora line between Puha-Waikohu, Mahaki-Otoko and Rakauroa-Matawai.

FloodingFlooding at Awapapa homestead
Map Location: -38.69805 177.62398
Comments:

Affected LifelineThere was a washout on the Gisborne-Wairoa highway near Awapapa.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Gisborne City
Map Location: -38.656661 178.017356
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicGisborne recorded 2.85 in (7.24 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicGisborne recorded 9.70 in (24.64 cm) of rain in eight days.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactThere was serious flooding throughout Gisborne flats.

FloodingFlooding at Kaiteratahi
Map Location: -38.527149 177.903096
Comments:

Peak DischargeWaipaoa River had a peak discharge of 100,500 cusecs (2846 cumecs) at Kaiteratahi Bridge.

FloodingFlooding at Kanakanaia
Map Location: -38.409537 177.943109
Comments:

Peak DischargeWaipaoa River rose in high flood and had a peak discharge of 86,600 cusecs (2452 cumecs) at Kanakanaia Bridge.

FloodingFlooding at Makauri
Map Location: -38.62495 177.958179
Comments:

ImpactThe Waipaoa River swept across wide stretches of farmlands in the Makauri and Pahutahi areas.

FloodingFlooding at Matawai
Map Location: -38.356439 177.53729
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe Gisborne-Opotiki highway was blocked via Matawai.

FloodingFlooding at Matawhero
Map Location: -38.658048 177.948998
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThere was 6 in (0.15 m) of water over the line at Matawhero.

LandslideLandslide at Morere
Map Location: -38.98206 177.784906
Comments:

Affected LifelineThere was a slip on the Gisborne-Wairoa highway via Morere.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Ormond
Map Location: -38.559145 177.924847
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOrmond recorded 7.49 in (19.02 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe road was covered by 9 ft (2.74 m) of water.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Puha
Map Location: -38.458563 177.830076
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicPuha recorded 6.47 in (16.43 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe river scoured out the main road and a portion of the railway construction.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Te Karaka
Map Location: -38.467237 177.870255
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTe Karaka recorded 6.57 in (16.69 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicTe Karaka recorded 10.46 in (26.49 cm) of rain in seven days.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactTe Karaka township was flooded as floodwaters from the Waipaoa River backed up smaller tributaries.

EvacueesSettlers had to evacuate their homes.

Peak River LevelWaipaoa River rose 26 ft (7.92 m) above normal at Kanakanaia Bridge.

Physical CharacteristicWater covered the highway to a depth of 5 ft (1.52 m).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tolago Bay
Map Location: -38.370254 178.307107
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTolaga Bay recorded 5.38 in (13.67 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Waerengaahika
Map Location: -38.601149 177.92432
Comments:

ImpactWaipaoa River broke its stopbanks at Waerengaahika at half tide and flooded a large area of land up to Ormond.

FloodingFlooding at Wharekopae
Map Location: -38.539499 177.492777
Comments:

Peak River LevelIn the Wharekopae Valley the Wharekopae River reached a peak level 35 ft (10.67 m) above normal.

Affected LifelineTwo small bridges were swept away by the Wharekopae River.

ImpactWater was running over the river flats.

ImpactTwo electric-power plants high on banks of the stream were covered by floodwaters.

Hawke's Bay

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Hawke's Bay
Comments:

CommentThere was heavy rain over Hawke's Bay on the 5th March 1944.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactAll rivers were in high flood and there was extensive flooding over the whole province.

Affected LifelineSerious damage was caused to roads by slips and washouts.

Affected LifelineSeveral bridges were swept away.

Damage CostHawke's Bay county roads suffered damage totalling £12,040 ($910,600 2010 dollars).

Damage CostState highways in the province were damaged to the extent of £33,663 ($2,545,900 2010 dollars).

Damage CostMain highways in the province were damaged to the extent of £6932 ($524,300 2010 dollars).

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

Physical CharacteristicEskdale recorded 11.30 in (28.70 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicEskdale recorded 4.80 in (12.19 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicAymes recorded 20.00 in (50.80 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicConways recorded 14.00 in (35.56 cm) of rain in four days.

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

Physical CharacteristicHastings recorded 3.42 in (8.69 cm) of rain in four days.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Kotemaori
Map Location: -39.062668 177.042276
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicKotemaori recorded 10.33 in (26.24 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicKotemaori recorded 4.76 in (12.09 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

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

Physical CharacteristicNapier recorded 5.68 in (14.43 cm) of rain in four days.

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

ImpactNgaruroro River overflowed its banks in two places.

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

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 17.03 in (43.26 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 10.75 in (27.31 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Peak River LevelMangaone River at Rissington rose 16 ft (4.88 m) above normal.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tarewa station
Map Location: -38.937547 177.808722
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTarewa recorded 6.70 in (17.02 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Tukituki River
Map Location: -39.900244 176.162889
Comments:

CommentTukituki River was in high flood.

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

CommentTutaekuri River was in high flood.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Wairoa
Map Location: -39.041861 177.423248
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWairoa recorded 4.98 in (12.65 cm) of rain in four days.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineWairoa was completely isolated.

References

Cowie, C.A., Attwood, A.K. (1957) Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953, The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand
Headline: Heaviest flood since P.B. settlement began.
The Gisborne Herald, 25 May 1948.
Headline: Waipaoa River Breaks Banks.
The Gisborne Herald, 7 March 1944.
Headline: Flood recedes, trail of damage.
The Gisborne Herald, 8 March 1944.

ModerateMarch 1944 Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Flooding ( 1944-03-05 )

28 years

There was extensive flooding and heavy rain over Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Many roads were blocked by slips, washouts and surface water. Road and rail communications were suspended.

North Island

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at North Island
Duration:   2  days - There was extensive flooding and heavy rain over Hawke's Bay and Gisborne from the 5th to the 7th March 1944.
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe railway line from Napier to Gisborne was severely damaged.

Gisborne

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Gisborne
Comments:

CommentThere was heavy rain along the East Coast on the 6th March 1944. It rained continuously for over 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

DamageThere was extensive flooding especially in the Waipaoa River and serious damage to public works.

Affected LifelineMany roads were blocked by slips, washouts and surface water. Road and rail communications were suspended.

Affected LifelineThere was floodwater on the railway line between Matawhero-Muriwai to a depth of 12 in (0.3 m) in places.

Crop DamageThere were very heavy crop losses in the lower river flats and severe pasture damage.

Stock DamageStock losses were small.

Area12,000 acres (48.56 km^2) of Poverty Bay Flats were flooded and 3000 acres (12.14 km^2) were heavily silted.

CommentThe flooding on the Poverty Bay flats was the greatest since 1916.

AreaThe total area covered by the flood was 14,000 acres (56.66 km^2).

Damage CostDamage throughout the district including roads amounted to £87,906 ($6,648,250 2010 dollars).

Damage CostThe damage to county roads amounted to £25,325 ($1,915,300 2010 dollars).

Damage CostThe damage to main highways amounted to £9445 ($714,300 2010 dollars).

Damage CostThe damage to state highways amounted to £8525 ($644,700 2010 dollars).

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineTwo trains were isolated due to slips and the damage to the Gisborne-Napier line was extensive.

Affected LifelineThere were major slips on the Gisborne-Motuhora line between Puha-Waikohu, Mahaki-Otoko and Rakauroa-Matawai.

FloodingFlooding at Awapapa homestead
Map Location: -38.69805 177.62398
Comments:

Affected LifelineThere was a washout on the Gisborne-Wairoa highway near Awapapa.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Gisborne City
Map Location: -38.656661 178.017356
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicGisborne recorded 2.85 in (7.24 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicGisborne recorded 9.70 in (24.64 cm) of rain in eight days.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactThere was serious flooding throughout Gisborne flats.

FloodingFlooding at Kaiteratahi
Map Location: -38.527149 177.903096
Comments:

Peak DischargeWaipaoa River had a peak discharge of 100,500 cusecs (2846 cumecs) at Kaiteratahi Bridge.

FloodingFlooding at Kanakanaia
Map Location: -38.409537 177.943109
Comments:

Peak DischargeWaipaoa River rose in high flood and had a peak discharge of 86,600 cusecs (2452 cumecs) at Kanakanaia Bridge.

FloodingFlooding at Makauri
Map Location: -38.62495 177.958179
Comments:

ImpactThe Waipaoa River swept across wide stretches of farmlands in the Makauri and Pahutahi areas.

FloodingFlooding at Matawai
Map Location: -38.356439 177.53729
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe Gisborne-Opotiki highway was blocked via Matawai.

FloodingFlooding at Matawhero
Map Location: -38.658048 177.948998
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThere was 6 in (0.15 m) of water over the line at Matawhero.

LandslideLandslide at Morere
Map Location: -38.98206 177.784906
Comments:

Affected LifelineThere was a slip on the Gisborne-Wairoa highway via Morere.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Ormond
Map Location: -38.559145 177.924847
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicOrmond recorded 7.49 in (19.02 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicThe road was covered by 9 ft (2.74 m) of water.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Puha
Map Location: -38.458563 177.830076
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicPuha recorded 6.47 in (16.43 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineThe river scoured out the main road and a portion of the railway construction.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Te Karaka
Map Location: -38.467237 177.870255
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTe Karaka recorded 6.57 in (16.69 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicTe Karaka recorded 10.46 in (26.49 cm) of rain in seven days.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactTe Karaka township was flooded as floodwaters from the Waipaoa River backed up smaller tributaries.

EvacueesSettlers had to evacuate their homes.

Peak River LevelWaipaoa River rose 26 ft (7.92 m) above normal at Kanakanaia Bridge.

Physical CharacteristicWater covered the highway to a depth of 5 ft (1.52 m).

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tolago Bay
Map Location: -38.370254 178.307107
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTolaga Bay recorded 5.38 in (13.67 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Waerengaahika
Map Location: -38.601149 177.92432
Comments:

ImpactWaipaoa River broke its stopbanks at Waerengaahika at half tide and flooded a large area of land up to Ormond.

FloodingFlooding at Wharekopae
Map Location: -38.539499 177.492777
Comments:

Peak River LevelIn the Wharekopae Valley the Wharekopae River reached a peak level 35 ft (10.67 m) above normal.

Affected LifelineTwo small bridges were swept away by the Wharekopae River.

ImpactWater was running over the river flats.

ImpactTwo electric-power plants high on banks of the stream were covered by floodwaters.

Hawke's Bay

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Hawke's Bay
Comments:

CommentThere was heavy rain over Hawke's Bay on the 5th March 1944.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactAll rivers were in high flood and there was extensive flooding over the whole province.

Affected LifelineSerious damage was caused to roads by slips and washouts.

Affected LifelineSeveral bridges were swept away.

Damage CostHawke's Bay county roads suffered damage totalling £12,040 ($910,600 2010 dollars).

Damage CostState highways in the province were damaged to the extent of £33,663 ($2,545,900 2010 dollars).

Damage CostMain highways in the province were damaged to the extent of £6932 ($524,300 2010 dollars).

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

Physical CharacteristicEskdale recorded 11.30 in (28.70 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicEskdale recorded 4.80 in (12.19 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicAymes recorded 20.00 in (50.80 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicConways recorded 14.00 in (35.56 cm) of rain in four days.

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

Physical CharacteristicHastings recorded 3.42 in (8.69 cm) of rain in four days.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Kotemaori
Map Location: -39.062668 177.042276
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicKotemaori recorded 10.33 in (26.24 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicKotemaori recorded 4.76 in (12.09 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

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

Physical CharacteristicNapier recorded 5.68 in (14.43 cm) of rain in four days.

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

ImpactNgaruroro River overflowed its banks in two places.

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

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 17.03 in (43.26 cm) of rain in four days.

Physical CharacteristicRissington recorded 10.75 in (27.31 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Peak River LevelMangaone River at Rissington rose 16 ft (4.88 m) above normal.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tarewa station
Map Location: -38.937547 177.808722
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTarewa recorded 6.70 in (17.02 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

FloodingFlooding at Tukituki River
Map Location: -39.900244 176.162889
Comments:

CommentTukituki River was in high flood.

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

CommentTutaekuri River was in high flood.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Wairoa
Map Location: -39.041861 177.423248
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicWairoa recorded 4.98 in (12.65 cm) of rain in four days.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineWairoa was completely isolated.

References

Cowie, C.A., Attwood, A.K. (1957) Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953, The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand
Headline: Heaviest flood since P.B. settlement began.
The Gisborne Herald, 25 May 1948.
Headline: Waipaoa River Breaks Banks.
The Gisborne Herald, 7 March 1944.
Headline: Flood recedes, trail of damage.
The Gisborne Herald, 8 March 1944.