NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
March 1964 North Island Flooding
(
1964-03-09
)
50 years
Heavy rain in the Bay of Plenty resulted in two casualties and over 300 people evacuated from Opotiki.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - Large rainfalls were experienced in most of the North Island except near the east coast from the 9th to the 11th of March 1964.
On the 9th a complex depression covered the Tasman Sea and extended over New Zealand. At the same time a small depression formed over the Queensland coast, deepened and moved quickly on to northern New Zealand on the 10th. It brought heavy showers to the Bay of Plenty, Poverty Bay and Rangitikei regions. Heavy rain continued on the 10th and the morning of 11th, causing flooding on the 11th.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Honikiwi
Waipa River had a discharge of 8070 cusecs (229 cumecs) at Honikiwi on the 12th, with a catchment area of 355 square miles (919 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Pirongia
Makeokeo near Mount Pirongia recorded 277 mm (27.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours to 9am on the 11th (which has a return period of 150 years).
Makeokeo near Mount Pirongia received up to 300 mm (30.0 cm) of rain in three days.
Flooding
at
Tongariro River
Tongariro River had a peak discharge of 1053 cumecs at Puketarata on the 11th, with a catchment area of 495 km^2 and a gauge height of 3.23 m.
Tongariro River had a discharge of 12,600 cusecs (357 cumecs) at the Upper Dam on the 11th, with a catchment area of 121 square miles (313 km^2) and a gauge height of 14.2 ft (4.33 m).
Flooding
at
Turangi
Tongariro River had a peak discharge of 1166 cumecs at Turangi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 780 km^2 and a gauge height of 3.73 m.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
Duration: 3 days - There was heavy rain in the eastern Bay of Plenty on the 9th of March. The rainfall caused serious flooding from the 9th to the 11th.
The heaviest falls appeared to be centered in the Waioeka catchment and adjoining part of the Waimana catchment. Rainfall probably exceeded 20 inches (50.8 cm) in a small area about halfway between the coast at Opotiki and the crest of the range to the south. Maximum rainfall intensities in the storm were estimated to be about 7 inches (17.78 cm) in 6 hours and over 20 inches (50.8 cm) in 48 hours (these values are considerably above those for Waioeka Valley for a return period of 50 years which is 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) in 6 hours and 13.4 inches (34.04 cm) in 48 hours).
The heavy rain produced a record flood in some rivers in the east. Waimana and Whakatane Rivers rose to very high levels.
Damage to roads, farms and urban property and losses of livestock have been estimated at approximately £500,000 ($18,265,000 2010 dollars).
The flood had an estimated return period of 50 years.
Flooding from the Waioeka and Otara Rivers covered 7080 acres (2865 ha) of alluvial flats.
Damage to houses and shops was widespread.
Large areas of roading was ripped up.
£156,592 ($5,720,300 2010 dollars) worth of damage was done within the Opotiki County and Opotiki Borough.
According to MCDEM NZ Flood Record there were two deaths.
Flooding
at
Houpoto
Motu River had a peak discharge of 83,100 cusecs (2353 cumecs) at Houpoto on the 11th, with a catchment area of 538 square miles (1394 km^2) and a gauge height of 20.27 ft (6.18 m).
Flooding
at
Motu River
Motu River had a discharge of 29,000 cusecs (821 cumecs) at Mangaotane on the 11th, with a catchment area of 276 square miles (715 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Oponae
Exceptionally heavy rainfall was recorded at Oponae.
Oponae recorded 26 in (66.04 cm) of rain in 46.5 hours from 4:30pm on the 9th.
Flooding
at
Opotiki
Waioeka and Otara Rivers flooded Opotiki on the 11th.
Practically the whole borough and the surrounding flat land were under water which reached a depth of 5 ft (1.52 m).
The flood covered most of Opotiki floodplain and filled nearly all 650 homes with muddy water.
Over 300 people were evacuated in Opotiki.
Flooding
at
Pakihi Stream
Pakihi Stream had a peak discharge of 122 cumecs at Pakihi Station on the 11th, with a catchment area of 109 km^2 and a gauge height of 2.9 m.
Flooding
at
Taneatua
The flooding was the worst remembered at Taneatua.
Several telephone poles and parts of the road were washed away.
Flooding
at
Waimana River
Waimana River had a peak discharge of 40,000 cusecs (1133 cumecs) at Waimana Gorge on the 11th, with a catchment area of 170 square miles (440 km^2) and a gauge height of 23.7 ft (7.22 m).
At 10am on the 11th roads leading into the Waimana Gorge were flooded.
Heavy Rain
The average rainfall over the Waimana River catchment was 11.0 in (27.94 cm) during the 38 hour duration of the storm.
Flooding
There was flood waters passing through parts of Waimana township.
Heavy Rain
at
Waioeka River
Average rainfall in the Waioeka catchment was estimated at 11 in (27.94 cm).
Flooding
Waioeka River had a peak discharge of 77,000 cusecs (2180 cumecs) at the Gorge Cableway on the 11th, with a catchment area of 247 square miles (640 km^2) and a gauge height of 35.03 ft (10.68 m).
Flooding
at
Whakatane
Whakatane River had a peak discharge of 83,600 cusecs (2367 cumecs) at Whakatane on the 11th, with a catchment area of 601 square miles (1557 km^2) and a gauge height of 24 ft (7.32 m).
The stopbank of the Te Rahu Canal burst in two places.
Heavy Rain
at
Whakatane River
Over the Whakatane River catchment the average rainfall was 8.85 in (22.48 cm) during the 38 hour duration of the storm.
Flooding
There was flood waters passing through parts of the Whakatane Borough.
Flooding ultimately covered 14,000 acres (5666 ha) of farmland on the Rangitaiki Plains.
Hawke's Bay
Flooding
at
Kuripapango
Ngaruroro River had a discharge of 20,000 cusecs (566 cumecs) at Kuripapango on the 11th, with a catchment area of 143 square miles (370 km^2) and a gauge height of 11.20 ft (3.41 m).
Taranaki
Flooding
at
Manganui River
Manganui River had a discharge of 8000 cusecs (227 cumecs) at Tariki Road on the 11th, with a catchment area of 31 square miles (80 km^2) and a gauge height of 9.60 ft (2.93 m).
Flooding
at
Tangarakau
Tangarakau River had a peak discharge of 328 cumecs at Tangarakau on the 11th, with a catchment area of 238 km^2 and a gauge height of 7.74 m.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Flooding
at
Karioi
Whangaehu River had a discharge of 4250 cusecs (120 cumecs) at Karioi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 190 square miles (492 km^2) and a gauge height of 8.70 ft (2.65 m).
Flooding
at
Kawautahi
Retaruke River had a peak discharge of 710 cumecs at Kawautahi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 256 km^2 and a gauge height of 5.73 m.
Flooding
at
Ketetahi
Mangatepopo River had a discharge of 942 cusecs (27 cumecs) at Ketetahi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 12 square miles (31 km^2) and a gauge height of 4.50 ft (1.37 m).
Flooding
at
Manganui o te Ao River
Manganui o te Ao River had a discharge of 20,900 cusecs (592 cumecs) at Ashworth on the 11th, with a catchment area of 128 square miles (332 km^2) and a gauge height of 11.30 ft (3.44 m).
Flooding
at
Moawhango
Moawhango River had a discharge of 4960 cusecs (140 cumecs) at Moawhango on the 11th, with a catchment area of 251 square miles (650 km^2) and a gauge height of 8.10 ft (2.47 m).
Flooding
at
Oreore
Mangawhero River had a discharge of 6790 cusecs (192 cumecs) at Oreore on the 11th, with a catchment area of 208 square miles (539 km^2) and a gauge height of 10.30 ft (3.14 m).
Flooding
at
Rangitikei River
Rainfall was relatively light over the upper Rangitikei catchment. The flood which reached Mangaweka on the 11th was not as severe as might be expected owing to negligible flow from tributary rivers. There was no flooding by time the river reached Tangimoana.
Rangitikei county suffered little damage.
Rangitikei River had a peak discharge of 546 cumecs at Springvale on the 11th, with a catchment area of 583 km^2 and a gauge height of 3.57 m.
Rangitikei River had a discharge of 26,100 cusecs (739 cumecs) at Otara Bridge on the 11th, with a catchment area of 1106 square miles (2865 km^2) and a gauge height of 10.80 ft (3.29 m).
Flooding
at
Taringamotu
Ongarue River had a discharge of 8460 cusecs (240 cumecs) at Taringamotu on the 11th, with a catchment area of 415 square miles (1075 km^2) and a gauge height of 16.40 ft (5.0 m).
Flooding
at
Te Maire
Whanganui River had a discharge of 39,400 cusecs (1116 cumecs) at Te Maire on the 11th, with a catchment area of 854 square miles (2212 km^2) and a gauge height of 20.30 ft (6.19 m).
Flooding
at
Tokirima
Ohura River had a discharge of 19,000 cusecs (538 cumecs) at Tokirima on the 11th, with a catchment area of 258 square miles (668 km^2).
Flooding
at
Waiouru
Moawhango River had a discharge of 5610 cusecs (159 cumecs) at Waiouru on the 11th, with a catchment area of 110 square miles (285 km^2) and a gauge height of 6.91 ft (2.11 m).
Flooding
at
Whakapapa River
Whakapapa River had a discharge of 16,800 cusecs (476 cumecs) at the footbridge on the 11th, with a catchment area of 71 square miles (184 km^2) and a gauge height of 9.94 ft (3.03 m).
Flooding
at
Whanganui River
Whanganui River had a discharge of 2310 cusecs (65 cumecs) at the headwaters on the 10th, with a catchment area of 31 square miles (80 km^2) and a gauge height of 6.28 ft (1.91 m).
Whanganui River had a discharge of 104,000 cusecs (2945 cumecs) at Paetawa on the 12th, with a catchment area of 2565 square miles (6643 km^2) and a gauge height of 41.05 ft (12.51 m).
References
- Coulter, J.D. (1966). Flood and Druoght in Northern New Zealand. New Zealand Geographer, Volume 22, Number 1, April 1966.
- Hydrology Annual, No.14 1966, Published by the Ministry of Works , The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand, A.R. Shearer, 1969
- Major weather events in New Zealand, FLOODS and HIGH RAINFALL, Floods to 30 Sep 2005
- Meteorological Observations for 1964, Stations in New Zealand and Outlying Islands, Including the Cook Group. New Zealand Meteorological Service.
- New Zealand Evacuations from 1 January 1886 to 1 January 2000
- Headline: Flood Problems
- New Zealand Geographer, Volume Twenty-three,1967, New Zealand geographical Society, Christchurch N.Z.
- New Zealand Geographer, Volume Twenty-two,1966, New Zealand geographical Society, Christchurch N.Z. Title: Flood and Drought in Northern New Zealand, J.D. Coulter
- NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Owen, R.E. (1967). Hydrology Annual No.12, 1964. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Headline: Earth Dam Trench Damaged By Flood.
- The Manawatu Evening Standard, 13 February 1965.
- Headline: Whakatane Hit By Flood.
- The Manawatu Evening Standard, 13 February 1965.
March 1964 North Island Flooding
(
1964-03-09
)
50 years
Heavy rain in the Bay of Plenty resulted in two casualties and over 300 people evacuated from Opotiki.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - Large rainfalls were experienced in most of the North Island except near the east coast from the 9th to the 11th of March 1964.
On the 9th a complex depression covered the Tasman Sea and extended over New Zealand. At the same time a small depression formed over the Queensland coast, deepened and moved quickly on to northern New Zealand on the 10th. It brought heavy showers to the Bay of Plenty, Poverty Bay and Rangitikei regions. Heavy rain continued on the 10th and the morning of 11th, causing flooding on the 11th.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Honikiwi
Waipa River had a discharge of 8070 cusecs (229 cumecs) at Honikiwi on the 12th, with a catchment area of 355 square miles (919 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Pirongia
Makeokeo near Mount Pirongia recorded 277 mm (27.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours to 9am on the 11th (which has a return period of 150 years).
Makeokeo near Mount Pirongia received up to 300 mm (30.0 cm) of rain in three days.
Flooding
at
Tongariro River
Tongariro River had a peak discharge of 1053 cumecs at Puketarata on the 11th, with a catchment area of 495 km^2 and a gauge height of 3.23 m.
Tongariro River had a discharge of 12,600 cusecs (357 cumecs) at the Upper Dam on the 11th, with a catchment area of 121 square miles (313 km^2) and a gauge height of 14.2 ft (4.33 m).
Flooding
at
Turangi
Tongariro River had a peak discharge of 1166 cumecs at Turangi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 780 km^2 and a gauge height of 3.73 m.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Bay of Plenty
Duration: 3 days - There was heavy rain in the eastern Bay of Plenty on the 9th of March. The rainfall caused serious flooding from the 9th to the 11th.
The heaviest falls appeared to be centered in the Waioeka catchment and adjoining part of the Waimana catchment. Rainfall probably exceeded 20 inches (50.8 cm) in a small area about halfway between the coast at Opotiki and the crest of the range to the south. Maximum rainfall intensities in the storm were estimated to be about 7 inches (17.78 cm) in 6 hours and over 20 inches (50.8 cm) in 48 hours (these values are considerably above those for Waioeka Valley for a return period of 50 years which is 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) in 6 hours and 13.4 inches (34.04 cm) in 48 hours).
The heavy rain produced a record flood in some rivers in the east. Waimana and Whakatane Rivers rose to very high levels.
Damage to roads, farms and urban property and losses of livestock have been estimated at approximately £500,000 ($18,265,000 2010 dollars).
The flood had an estimated return period of 50 years.
Flooding from the Waioeka and Otara Rivers covered 7080 acres (2865 ha) of alluvial flats.
Damage to houses and shops was widespread.
Large areas of roading was ripped up.
£156,592 ($5,720,300 2010 dollars) worth of damage was done within the Opotiki County and Opotiki Borough.
According to MCDEM NZ Flood Record there were two deaths.
Flooding
at
Houpoto
Motu River had a peak discharge of 83,100 cusecs (2353 cumecs) at Houpoto on the 11th, with a catchment area of 538 square miles (1394 km^2) and a gauge height of 20.27 ft (6.18 m).
Flooding
at
Motu River
Motu River had a discharge of 29,000 cusecs (821 cumecs) at Mangaotane on the 11th, with a catchment area of 276 square miles (715 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Oponae
Exceptionally heavy rainfall was recorded at Oponae.
Oponae recorded 26 in (66.04 cm) of rain in 46.5 hours from 4:30pm on the 9th.
Flooding
at
Opotiki
Waioeka and Otara Rivers flooded Opotiki on the 11th.
Practically the whole borough and the surrounding flat land were under water which reached a depth of 5 ft (1.52 m).
The flood covered most of Opotiki floodplain and filled nearly all 650 homes with muddy water.
Over 300 people were evacuated in Opotiki.
Flooding
at
Pakihi Stream
Pakihi Stream had a peak discharge of 122 cumecs at Pakihi Station on the 11th, with a catchment area of 109 km^2 and a gauge height of 2.9 m.
Flooding
at
Taneatua
The flooding was the worst remembered at Taneatua.
Several telephone poles and parts of the road were washed away.
Flooding
at
Waimana River
Waimana River had a peak discharge of 40,000 cusecs (1133 cumecs) at Waimana Gorge on the 11th, with a catchment area of 170 square miles (440 km^2) and a gauge height of 23.7 ft (7.22 m).
At 10am on the 11th roads leading into the Waimana Gorge were flooded.
Heavy Rain
The average rainfall over the Waimana River catchment was 11.0 in (27.94 cm) during the 38 hour duration of the storm.
Flooding
There was flood waters passing through parts of Waimana township.
Heavy Rain
at
Waioeka River
Average rainfall in the Waioeka catchment was estimated at 11 in (27.94 cm).
Flooding
Waioeka River had a peak discharge of 77,000 cusecs (2180 cumecs) at the Gorge Cableway on the 11th, with a catchment area of 247 square miles (640 km^2) and a gauge height of 35.03 ft (10.68 m).
Flooding
at
Whakatane
Whakatane River had a peak discharge of 83,600 cusecs (2367 cumecs) at Whakatane on the 11th, with a catchment area of 601 square miles (1557 km^2) and a gauge height of 24 ft (7.32 m).
The stopbank of the Te Rahu Canal burst in two places.
Heavy Rain
at
Whakatane River
Over the Whakatane River catchment the average rainfall was 8.85 in (22.48 cm) during the 38 hour duration of the storm.
Flooding
There was flood waters passing through parts of the Whakatane Borough.
Flooding ultimately covered 14,000 acres (5666 ha) of farmland on the Rangitaiki Plains.
Hawke's Bay
Flooding
at
Kuripapango
Ngaruroro River had a discharge of 20,000 cusecs (566 cumecs) at Kuripapango on the 11th, with a catchment area of 143 square miles (370 km^2) and a gauge height of 11.20 ft (3.41 m).
Taranaki
Flooding
at
Manganui River
Manganui River had a discharge of 8000 cusecs (227 cumecs) at Tariki Road on the 11th, with a catchment area of 31 square miles (80 km^2) and a gauge height of 9.60 ft (2.93 m).
Flooding
at
Tangarakau
Tangarakau River had a peak discharge of 328 cumecs at Tangarakau on the 11th, with a catchment area of 238 km^2 and a gauge height of 7.74 m.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Flooding
at
Karioi
Whangaehu River had a discharge of 4250 cusecs (120 cumecs) at Karioi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 190 square miles (492 km^2) and a gauge height of 8.70 ft (2.65 m).
Flooding
at
Kawautahi
Retaruke River had a peak discharge of 710 cumecs at Kawautahi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 256 km^2 and a gauge height of 5.73 m.
Flooding
at
Ketetahi
Mangatepopo River had a discharge of 942 cusecs (27 cumecs) at Ketetahi on the 11th, with a catchment area of 12 square miles (31 km^2) and a gauge height of 4.50 ft (1.37 m).
Flooding
at
Manganui o te Ao River
Manganui o te Ao River had a discharge of 20,900 cusecs (592 cumecs) at Ashworth on the 11th, with a catchment area of 128 square miles (332 km^2) and a gauge height of 11.30 ft (3.44 m).
Flooding
at
Moawhango
Moawhango River had a discharge of 4960 cusecs (140 cumecs) at Moawhango on the 11th, with a catchment area of 251 square miles (650 km^2) and a gauge height of 8.10 ft (2.47 m).
Flooding
at
Oreore
Mangawhero River had a discharge of 6790 cusecs (192 cumecs) at Oreore on the 11th, with a catchment area of 208 square miles (539 km^2) and a gauge height of 10.30 ft (3.14 m).
Flooding
at
Rangitikei River
Rainfall was relatively light over the upper Rangitikei catchment. The flood which reached Mangaweka on the 11th was not as severe as might be expected owing to negligible flow from tributary rivers. There was no flooding by time the river reached Tangimoana.
Rangitikei county suffered little damage.
Rangitikei River had a peak discharge of 546 cumecs at Springvale on the 11th, with a catchment area of 583 km^2 and a gauge height of 3.57 m.
Rangitikei River had a discharge of 26,100 cusecs (739 cumecs) at Otara Bridge on the 11th, with a catchment area of 1106 square miles (2865 km^2) and a gauge height of 10.80 ft (3.29 m).
Flooding
at
Taringamotu
Ongarue River had a discharge of 8460 cusecs (240 cumecs) at Taringamotu on the 11th, with a catchment area of 415 square miles (1075 km^2) and a gauge height of 16.40 ft (5.0 m).
Flooding
at
Te Maire
Whanganui River had a discharge of 39,400 cusecs (1116 cumecs) at Te Maire on the 11th, with a catchment area of 854 square miles (2212 km^2) and a gauge height of 20.30 ft (6.19 m).
Flooding
at
Tokirima
Ohura River had a discharge of 19,000 cusecs (538 cumecs) at Tokirima on the 11th, with a catchment area of 258 square miles (668 km^2).
Flooding
at
Waiouru
Moawhango River had a discharge of 5610 cusecs (159 cumecs) at Waiouru on the 11th, with a catchment area of 110 square miles (285 km^2) and a gauge height of 6.91 ft (2.11 m).
Flooding
at
Whakapapa River
Whakapapa River had a discharge of 16,800 cusecs (476 cumecs) at the footbridge on the 11th, with a catchment area of 71 square miles (184 km^2) and a gauge height of 9.94 ft (3.03 m).
Flooding
at
Whanganui River
Whanganui River had a discharge of 2310 cusecs (65 cumecs) at the headwaters on the 10th, with a catchment area of 31 square miles (80 km^2) and a gauge height of 6.28 ft (1.91 m).
Whanganui River had a discharge of 104,000 cusecs (2945 cumecs) at Paetawa on the 12th, with a catchment area of 2565 square miles (6643 km^2) and a gauge height of 41.05 ft (12.51 m).
References
- Coulter, J.D. (1966). Flood and Druoght in Northern New Zealand. New Zealand Geographer, Volume 22, Number 1, April 1966.
- Hydrology Annual, No.14 1966, Published by the Ministry of Works , The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand, A.R. Shearer, 1969
- Major weather events in New Zealand, FLOODS and HIGH RAINFALL, Floods to 30 Sep 2005
- Meteorological Observations for 1964, Stations in New Zealand and Outlying Islands, Including the Cook Group. New Zealand Meteorological Service.
- New Zealand Evacuations from 1 January 1886 to 1 January 2000
- Headline: Flood Problems
- New Zealand Geographer, Volume Twenty-three,1967, New Zealand geographical Society, Christchurch N.Z.
- New Zealand Geographer, Volume Twenty-two,1966, New Zealand geographical Society, Christchurch N.Z. Title: Flood and Drought in Northern New Zealand, J.D. Coulter
- NZ Met Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Owen, R.E. (1967). Hydrology Annual No.12, 1964. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Headline: Earth Dam Trench Damaged By Flood.
- The Manawatu Evening Standard, 13 February 1965.
- Headline: Whakatane Hit By Flood.
- The Manawatu Evening Standard, 13 February 1965.