Heavy rain caused flooding in Tasman-Nelson, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Otago was hit the hardest with high repair costs along with heavy crop losses.
On the 9th, Collins River at Drop Structure, had a flood discharge of 25.5 cumecs with a catchment area of 17.6 km^2 with a gauge height of 0.914 m.
On the 8th, Roding River at N C C Weir, had a flood discharge of 167 cumecs with a catchment area of 39.1 km^2 with a gauge height of 2.774 m.
On the 8th, Takaka River had a flood discharge of 1755 cumecs with a catchment area of 829 km^2 with a gauge height of 1.158 m.
On the 8th, Waingaro River at Langfords, had a flood discharge of 849 cumecs with a catchment area of 223 km^2 with a gauge height of 1.222 m.
On the 9th, Wairoa River at the Gorge, had a maximum annual flood discharge of 1041 cumecs with a catchment area of 464 km^2 with a gauge height of 5.060 m.
Serious flooding was reported in coastal districts from Dunedin to south Canterbury following heavy rain on the 8th and the 9th.
There was surface flooding on State Highway 1 in Morven-Glenavy area and five miles north of Waimate.
Mud was nearly 1 ft (30.5 cm) deep in places and blocked the main highway for four chains (18.47 m) near Morven.
A household at Morven awoke at 2:50am on the 9th to find the back portion of their house was awash with about two inches (5.08 cm) of mud
Omarama recorded 1.12 in (2.84 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Otematata recorded 1.24 in (3.15 cm) of rain in 24 hours .
On the 9th, Rakaia River at the Gorge, had a flood discharge of 1941 cumecs with a catchment area of 2590 km^2 with a gauge height of 4.039 m.
On the 11th, Rangitata River at the Gorge, had a maximum annual flood discharge of 708 cumecs with a catchment area of 1494 km^2 with a gauge height of 5.517 m.
Waimate Borough recorded 4.20 in (10.67 cm) in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th.
Creeks and streams in the low-lying coastal strip of Waimate district overflowed early on the 9th.
Some areas had flash floods after overnight torrential downpours brought over five inches of rain. Falls were lighter farther inland.
On the 11th, Waitaki River at Parsons Rock, had a flood discharge of 1129 cumecs with a gauge height of 4.404 m.
On the 13th, Waitaki River at Kurow, had a flood discharge of 1234 cumecs with a gauge height of 4.145 m.
On the 8th and 9th of March, a tropical depression of Fijian origin was located off the west coast of the South Island. This depression was squeezed between two anti-cyclones, and split into three low-pressure systems, the most vigorous of which moved rapidly without warning across the South Island and passed into the Pacific through North Otago. The east and south-east air flow on its lower side subjected the coastal strip of East Otago between Oamaru and the Nuggets to torrential rainfalls between 11-17mm in 24 hours.
There was flooding and chaos in North Otago after five yaers of drought was broken by heavy rain throughout Otago.
Late on the night of the 10th, heavy rain was falling in Alexandra, Ranfurly and Queenstown.
Royal NZ Navy survey ship was delayed in departing from the Port of Otago on the 10th as they were awaiting crew members by train.
Rainfall on the 8th was the most intense rainfall in North Otago since September 1963. The total rainfall was the greatest rainfall in 40 years
Dry watercourses became raging torrents. The rivers overflowed banks and spilled across farms.
Road and rail communication was cut between Oamaru and Dunedin in a number of places.
The heavy rain was mostly confined to within 16 and 24 km from the coast. The heaviest rainfalls and greatest damage occurred between Herbert in the north and Mosgiel in the south.
There was severe damage to road and railway bridges and communications, houses, crops, local body services including city waterworks and fences.
There was severe damage to land, river and stream banks and protection works.
Loss of stock occurred.
Damage occurred in the Big Kuri, Trotter's, Kartigi and Pleasant River Valleys, the lower Waikouaiti flood plain, the Waitati, Upper Leith and Silverstream. Heavy to moderate damage was sustained in the lower Kaikoura, Green Island, Lindsay's Creek, Meggatburn Area, Taieri River Trust Area, Palmerston Creek, Island Stream and Waianakarua River. Lighter damage occurred in the Kakanui, Shag, Middlemarch, Tokomairiro and Clutha Areas and in Milton Borough
There were 170 Earthquake and War Damage Commission claims for flood damage in the Otago area to date (20th of March).
Low lands of North Otago bore the brunt of deluge with Herbert being in the centre of the flood.
Bad scouring took place, particularly along State Highway 1, where bridge approaches in Shag Point area were dangerously undermined and the seal was washed away in sections.
Main damage appeared to be confined to Katiki-Shag Point section of highway where the shoulder metal was scoured away and the sealing disappeared.
Damage cost was estimated at well into five figures.
Between Dunedin and Hampden, the main trunk railway was undermined in several sections.
There was a slip south of Otepopo tunnel and a substantial washout left a 30 ft gap in the railway, which was reported to be 25 ft deep.
The midnight express on the 8th from Christchurch went as far as Waiapakarua but returned to Oamaru.
Most of South Otago had only moderate rainfall.
Rivers and creeks were swollen but there was little flooding except in the Milton area.
Riverside roads such as the road between Balclutha and Clydevale, State Highway 92 between Balclutha and Finegand, and State Highway 91 between Balclutha and Kaitangata, were either covered or partially covered with water. State Highway 92 was closed to traffic.
There were no stock losses reported in South Otago.
Much of the 40% of unharvested cereal crops (such as wheat, oats and barley) were damaged by lodging and sprouting.
An estimated 10,000 acres (4047 ha) of wheat crops in West Otago were thought to have been destroyed.
It was the worst disaster to hit southern farming industry in decades.
The loss to West Otago and Southland would mean a loss of income of $4,000,000.
A estimated 10,000 acres (4047 ha) of oats and barley in West Otago and Southland were destroyed.
In Balclutha, much of the area around the town hall was under water on the12th. It was thought to be caused by a buildup of storm water, although some river water was seeping through a drainage outlet.
No stock reported lost.
There was no reports of damage to shops or property.
The damage to roads in the Bruce County was approximately $6000-$8000 ($93,200-124,200 2009 dollars).
The areas most affected were Glenledi, north branch and Adams Flat.
The main problem was that culverts on roads were unable to cope with the high flow of water.
Creeks were choked with growth unable to handle the flow. Streams flowed down several roads, stripping metal from the surface and depositing it in unrecoverable areas.
Clutha River was running at approximately 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) above normal over the 8th and 9th.
On the 12th, the Clutha River was running at 7 ft (2.13 m) above normal. It spilled onto low-lying roads and some small unprotected river flats between Cyldevale and Clutha.
The river reached its peak at Clyde at approximately 1pm on the 12th.
On the 12th, Clutha River at Lowburn Ferry Bridge had a maximum annual flood discharge of 899 cumecs with a catchment area of 6211 km^2 with a gauge height of 2.134 m.
On the 13th, Clutha River at Balclutha had a flood discharge of 2072 cumecs with a catchment area of 20,306 km^2 with a gauge height of 21.001 m.
Dunedin city recorded well over 6 in (15.24 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Maori Hill recorded 4.29 in (10.90 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th.
Maori Hill recorded 2.36 in (6.00 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 10th.
Musselburgh recorded 3.58 in (9.09 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th. The intensities of rainfall at Musselburgh were considerably higher than those of the 1928 storm.
Musselburgh recorded 2.81 in (7.14 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 10th.
This rainfall was the heaviest recorded in Dunedin since December 4th, 1938 and more than twice the average rainfall for the month.
More rain fell steadily on the afternoon and evening of the 10th in Dunedin.
The rainfall at Maori Hill was the highest on record for March and the third highest ever recorded.
The 24 hour rainfall total of 6.21 inches (15.77 cm) had been exceeded only once in 76 years. It was considered a one in 50 year rainfall.
On the 9th, the Waters of Leith at the University, had a flood discharge of 113 cumecs with a catchment area of 43.5 km^2 with a gauge height of 2.438 m.
Road and rail communications to the north and south were cut, but all resumed on the night of the 10th.
Houses were flooded.
The motorway north of Dunedin was washed out in two places by flood waters on the night of the 8th. About halfway along the motorway, a stretch of roadway 24.4 m long dropped from sight down a hillside. A new section of road on the Kilmog, north of Dunedin, was seriously damaged.
The route into Dunedin was closed from approximately 9:30am on the 9th to noon on the 10th to all but essential traffic.
The repairs to gaping holes in the road took around two weeks.
All rail services to and from Dunedin were cancelled on the 9th. The line between Dunedin and Oamaru was blocked by several minor slips and two large washouts at Hampden and Goodwood which occurred early in the morning of the 9th. The line south of Duendin was blocked on the 9th by flooding at Waihola and a slight slip at Clarksville.
A house in Harden Street in Leith Valley, had up to 2 ft (0.61 m) of water flowing through at 7am on the 10th and some gardens were damaged.
Pine Hill Creek flooded in the early morning of the 10th. Flooding became worse later in day with rain pelting down between 1pm-3pm
The first estimate of flood damage in Dunedin was tens of thousands of dollars.
The hardest hit areas were North-East Valley and areas near the head waters of the Water of Leith.
The Leith didn't overflow its banks at any stage, but floodwaters rose to an unprecedented height.
There was a temporary evacuation of several homes in Harden Street on the morning of the 9th.
The roadway next to the stream was cut away along Malvern Street by raging floodwaters.
The city water supply was damaged at Sullivans Reservoir, where a slip threatened a supply line and one of the two mains leading from the reservoir was washed away.
Lindsay's Creek overflowed in North-East Valley and France and Selwyn Streets received the bulk of the water.
There was trouble caused by the blocking of Kaikorai Stream. It resulted in Kaikorai Valley Road being turned into a small river for a short time on the 9th.
Kaikorai Stream washed out a water main to part of Green Island Borough.
There were dozens of reports of flooding throughout Dunedin which were received by the city engineer's department.
South Dunedin was awash for several hours on the afternoon of the 9th when Portobello pumping station became blocked with debris.
2500 telephone subscribers were cut off.
As a result of excessive rainfall, a small amount of petrol seeped from a tank at Atlantic Union Oil Company's terminal yard in Jutland Street.
The business of Wolfenden and Russell had "several thousand dollars worth" of goods damaged by water. Water entered the front of the shop early in the morning then appeared to subside, but later rose to a much higher level, in some places 1 ft (0.30 m).
There were 154 Earthquake and War Damage Commission claims for flood damage to date on the 16th of March.
The damage to public propertyv was estimated at $34,650 ($538,100 2009 dollars) for 110 houses or commercial buildings which were flooded.
94 houses were flooded on the flat. 10 houses were flooded in North-East Valley and six were flooded in Kaikorai Valley, Leith Valley and Sommerville Street.
Up to March 14th, $3,600 ($55,900 2009 dollars) had been spent on the cost of clearing slips and scours but further repairs would cost $15,000 ($232,900 2009 dollars).
The cost of work in the Water of Leith and Lindsays Creek was $7550 ($117,200 2009 dollars).
The cost of repairing damage to the water supply installations was estimated at $8500 ($132,000 2009 dollars).
The cost of extending the bridge over the north bank of Lindsays Creek, to prevent future scouring, was $13,000 ($201,900 2009 dollars).
The cost of the small pumping station provided at end of Felix Street was $2000 ($31,000 2009 dollars).
The cost of modifications to screens near the Musselburgh pumping station were approximately $800 ($12,400 2009 dollars).
The cost of the council's share of flood damaged roads was approximately $10,700 ($166,200 2009 dollars).
The Otago Peninsula suffered under the weekend deluge and small private roads suffered badly. Irvine Road at the Cove lost much of its surface and became a waterfall during the worst of the downpour.
Enfield recorded 3.52 in (8.94 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
A bus was abandoned in floodwaters on State Highway 1 at Kaka Creek, north of Hampden, on the morning of the 9th. Water was covering the seats and lapping the top of the dashboard. The driver and single passenger escaped out of the roof dome.
Water rose rapidly and at one stage it rose four inches in ten minutes.
About 3000 copies of the Otago Daily Times were ruined by water.
Herbert recorded 7.24 in (18.39 cm) of rain in 12 hours.
A 9 ft (2.74 m) gap down to sea level was made in the sandhills at Karitane by Waikouaiti River and the sea.
On the 12th, Kawarau River at Chards Road had a flood discharge of 350 cumecs with a catchment area of 4367 km^2 with a gauge height of 5.639 m.
Most serious damage to schools was done at the North-East Harbour School at Macandrew Bay by washed out soil, silt movements and blocked drains. It was estimated that it would cost an estimated $1000 ($15,500 2009 dollars) to repair.
Momona Airport recorded 3.39 in (8.61 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th.
Momona Airport recorded 2.82 in (7.16 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 10th.
Oamaru recorded 5.05 in (12.83 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
People in low-lying sections woke to find furniture floating about and water flowing under their beds.
At the north end, residents were generally the worst off, also those on the hill with their homes in depressions were surrounded with water.
Along the flat at the north end, water was spilling off hills and brought with it yards of clay and debris, which blocked water channels and stormwater drains.
The north end was like a lake as dawn broke on the 9th.
Some streets and residential properties were covered with ankle-deep sludge.
Outram recorded 4.13 in (10.49 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the night of the 8th. This rainfall surpassed the previous rainfall one day record which occurred on January 23, 1966.
Outram recorded 5.24 in (13.31 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 8th to the 10th.
800 sheep had been reported lost by the 12th.
Considerable acreages of standing crops were destroyed and miles of fences were swept down.
Water didn't come near danger level in the contour channel at Taieri or in the Taieri River. The gauge reached 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m).
Owhiro Stream and Silver Stream overflowed their banks, flooding buildings and land.
Approximately 2500 acres (1012 ha) of land on the Taieri Plain was under water.
500 acres (202 ha) of land that was under water, on lower Taieri, was caused by the overflow of the recently completed contour channel. 300 acres (121 ha) was under water from the Meggetburn near Berwick.
Both Clutha River and Taieri River took a long time to return to their normal levels.
The ponding on East Taieri wouldn't subside until the level of the river returned to normal.
Heavy rain in the Tokomairiro catchment area on the night of the 8th and the morning of the 9th caused flooding of a wide area near Milton.
A North Branch farmer found his flat land under water in the morning.
Water moved quickly, flooding paddocks of wheat and turnips.
In minutes creeks rose from trickles to surging torrents 46 m wide.
Huge logs were carried downstream on the Salmonds Creek branch of Tokomairiro River and had to be hauled out.
State Highway 1 between Clarksville and Milton was under water on the afternoon of the 9th.
Apart from an isolated cloudburst at Glenore, most rain fell in coastal areas.
Many roads were damaged by water. Glenledi Road was closed because of damage to Sadlers Bridge and lakeside road to Kaitangata was closed for several days because of water damage.
The damage in Waitaki County was estimated to run into five figures.
There were two really serious washouts. A bridge into Maraeweka was demolished and a serious washout on Breakneck Road was impassable to traffic.
Horse Range Road was closed.
Waitati Stream was swollen to a torrent and in one place along the road approximately 3/4 of the road width was washed away for a distance of 4 chains (80.5 m).
It was estimated that 30,000 acres (12,141 ha) of wheat crops in Southland were destroyed (which was 80% of the district's planted wheat crop).
Heavy rain caused flooding in Tasman-Nelson, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Otago was hit the hardest with high repair costs along with heavy crop losses.
On the 9th, Collins River at Drop Structure, had a flood discharge of 25.5 cumecs with a catchment area of 17.6 km^2 with a gauge height of 0.914 m.
On the 8th, Roding River at N C C Weir, had a flood discharge of 167 cumecs with a catchment area of 39.1 km^2 with a gauge height of 2.774 m.
On the 8th, Takaka River had a flood discharge of 1755 cumecs with a catchment area of 829 km^2 with a gauge height of 1.158 m.
On the 8th, Waingaro River at Langfords, had a flood discharge of 849 cumecs with a catchment area of 223 km^2 with a gauge height of 1.222 m.
On the 9th, Wairoa River at the Gorge, had a maximum annual flood discharge of 1041 cumecs with a catchment area of 464 km^2 with a gauge height of 5.060 m.
Serious flooding was reported in coastal districts from Dunedin to south Canterbury following heavy rain on the 8th and the 9th.
There was surface flooding on State Highway 1 in Morven-Glenavy area and five miles north of Waimate.
Mud was nearly 1 ft (30.5 cm) deep in places and blocked the main highway for four chains (18.47 m) near Morven.
A household at Morven awoke at 2:50am on the 9th to find the back portion of their house was awash with about two inches (5.08 cm) of mud
Omarama recorded 1.12 in (2.84 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Otematata recorded 1.24 in (3.15 cm) of rain in 24 hours .
On the 9th, Rakaia River at the Gorge, had a flood discharge of 1941 cumecs with a catchment area of 2590 km^2 with a gauge height of 4.039 m.
On the 11th, Rangitata River at the Gorge, had a maximum annual flood discharge of 708 cumecs with a catchment area of 1494 km^2 with a gauge height of 5.517 m.
Waimate Borough recorded 4.20 in (10.67 cm) in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th.
Creeks and streams in the low-lying coastal strip of Waimate district overflowed early on the 9th.
Some areas had flash floods after overnight torrential downpours brought over five inches of rain. Falls were lighter farther inland.
On the 11th, Waitaki River at Parsons Rock, had a flood discharge of 1129 cumecs with a gauge height of 4.404 m.
On the 13th, Waitaki River at Kurow, had a flood discharge of 1234 cumecs with a gauge height of 4.145 m.
On the 8th and 9th of March, a tropical depression of Fijian origin was located off the west coast of the South Island. This depression was squeezed between two anti-cyclones, and split into three low-pressure systems, the most vigorous of which moved rapidly without warning across the South Island and passed into the Pacific through North Otago. The east and south-east air flow on its lower side subjected the coastal strip of East Otago between Oamaru and the Nuggets to torrential rainfalls between 11-17mm in 24 hours.
There was flooding and chaos in North Otago after five yaers of drought was broken by heavy rain throughout Otago.
Late on the night of the 10th, heavy rain was falling in Alexandra, Ranfurly and Queenstown.
Royal NZ Navy survey ship was delayed in departing from the Port of Otago on the 10th as they were awaiting crew members by train.
Rainfall on the 8th was the most intense rainfall in North Otago since September 1963. The total rainfall was the greatest rainfall in 40 years
Dry watercourses became raging torrents. The rivers overflowed banks and spilled across farms.
Road and rail communication was cut between Oamaru and Dunedin in a number of places.
The heavy rain was mostly confined to within 16 and 24 km from the coast. The heaviest rainfalls and greatest damage occurred between Herbert in the north and Mosgiel in the south.
There was severe damage to road and railway bridges and communications, houses, crops, local body services including city waterworks and fences.
There was severe damage to land, river and stream banks and protection works.
Loss of stock occurred.
Damage occurred in the Big Kuri, Trotter's, Kartigi and Pleasant River Valleys, the lower Waikouaiti flood plain, the Waitati, Upper Leith and Silverstream. Heavy to moderate damage was sustained in the lower Kaikoura, Green Island, Lindsay's Creek, Meggatburn Area, Taieri River Trust Area, Palmerston Creek, Island Stream and Waianakarua River. Lighter damage occurred in the Kakanui, Shag, Middlemarch, Tokomairiro and Clutha Areas and in Milton Borough
There were 170 Earthquake and War Damage Commission claims for flood damage in the Otago area to date (20th of March).
Low lands of North Otago bore the brunt of deluge with Herbert being in the centre of the flood.
Bad scouring took place, particularly along State Highway 1, where bridge approaches in Shag Point area were dangerously undermined and the seal was washed away in sections.
Main damage appeared to be confined to Katiki-Shag Point section of highway where the shoulder metal was scoured away and the sealing disappeared.
Damage cost was estimated at well into five figures.
Between Dunedin and Hampden, the main trunk railway was undermined in several sections.
There was a slip south of Otepopo tunnel and a substantial washout left a 30 ft gap in the railway, which was reported to be 25 ft deep.
The midnight express on the 8th from Christchurch went as far as Waiapakarua but returned to Oamaru.
Most of South Otago had only moderate rainfall.
Rivers and creeks were swollen but there was little flooding except in the Milton area.
Riverside roads such as the road between Balclutha and Clydevale, State Highway 92 between Balclutha and Finegand, and State Highway 91 between Balclutha and Kaitangata, were either covered or partially covered with water. State Highway 92 was closed to traffic.
There were no stock losses reported in South Otago.
Much of the 40% of unharvested cereal crops (such as wheat, oats and barley) were damaged by lodging and sprouting.
An estimated 10,000 acres (4047 ha) of wheat crops in West Otago were thought to have been destroyed.
It was the worst disaster to hit southern farming industry in decades.
The loss to West Otago and Southland would mean a loss of income of $4,000,000.
A estimated 10,000 acres (4047 ha) of oats and barley in West Otago and Southland were destroyed.
In Balclutha, much of the area around the town hall was under water on the12th. It was thought to be caused by a buildup of storm water, although some river water was seeping through a drainage outlet.
No stock reported lost.
There was no reports of damage to shops or property.
The damage to roads in the Bruce County was approximately $6000-$8000 ($93,200-124,200 2009 dollars).
The areas most affected were Glenledi, north branch and Adams Flat.
The main problem was that culverts on roads were unable to cope with the high flow of water.
Creeks were choked with growth unable to handle the flow. Streams flowed down several roads, stripping metal from the surface and depositing it in unrecoverable areas.
Clutha River was running at approximately 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) above normal over the 8th and 9th.
On the 12th, the Clutha River was running at 7 ft (2.13 m) above normal. It spilled onto low-lying roads and some small unprotected river flats between Cyldevale and Clutha.
The river reached its peak at Clyde at approximately 1pm on the 12th.
On the 12th, Clutha River at Lowburn Ferry Bridge had a maximum annual flood discharge of 899 cumecs with a catchment area of 6211 km^2 with a gauge height of 2.134 m.
On the 13th, Clutha River at Balclutha had a flood discharge of 2072 cumecs with a catchment area of 20,306 km^2 with a gauge height of 21.001 m.
Dunedin city recorded well over 6 in (15.24 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Maori Hill recorded 4.29 in (10.90 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th.
Maori Hill recorded 2.36 in (6.00 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 10th.
Musselburgh recorded 3.58 in (9.09 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th. The intensities of rainfall at Musselburgh were considerably higher than those of the 1928 storm.
Musselburgh recorded 2.81 in (7.14 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 10th.
This rainfall was the heaviest recorded in Dunedin since December 4th, 1938 and more than twice the average rainfall for the month.
More rain fell steadily on the afternoon and evening of the 10th in Dunedin.
The rainfall at Maori Hill was the highest on record for March and the third highest ever recorded.
The 24 hour rainfall total of 6.21 inches (15.77 cm) had been exceeded only once in 76 years. It was considered a one in 50 year rainfall.
On the 9th, the Waters of Leith at the University, had a flood discharge of 113 cumecs with a catchment area of 43.5 km^2 with a gauge height of 2.438 m.
Road and rail communications to the north and south were cut, but all resumed on the night of the 10th.
Houses were flooded.
The motorway north of Dunedin was washed out in two places by flood waters on the night of the 8th. About halfway along the motorway, a stretch of roadway 24.4 m long dropped from sight down a hillside. A new section of road on the Kilmog, north of Dunedin, was seriously damaged.
The route into Dunedin was closed from approximately 9:30am on the 9th to noon on the 10th to all but essential traffic.
The repairs to gaping holes in the road took around two weeks.
All rail services to and from Dunedin were cancelled on the 9th. The line between Dunedin and Oamaru was blocked by several minor slips and two large washouts at Hampden and Goodwood which occurred early in the morning of the 9th. The line south of Duendin was blocked on the 9th by flooding at Waihola and a slight slip at Clarksville.
A house in Harden Street in Leith Valley, had up to 2 ft (0.61 m) of water flowing through at 7am on the 10th and some gardens were damaged.
Pine Hill Creek flooded in the early morning of the 10th. Flooding became worse later in day with rain pelting down between 1pm-3pm
The first estimate of flood damage in Dunedin was tens of thousands of dollars.
The hardest hit areas were North-East Valley and areas near the head waters of the Water of Leith.
The Leith didn't overflow its banks at any stage, but floodwaters rose to an unprecedented height.
There was a temporary evacuation of several homes in Harden Street on the morning of the 9th.
The roadway next to the stream was cut away along Malvern Street by raging floodwaters.
The city water supply was damaged at Sullivans Reservoir, where a slip threatened a supply line and one of the two mains leading from the reservoir was washed away.
Lindsay's Creek overflowed in North-East Valley and France and Selwyn Streets received the bulk of the water.
There was trouble caused by the blocking of Kaikorai Stream. It resulted in Kaikorai Valley Road being turned into a small river for a short time on the 9th.
Kaikorai Stream washed out a water main to part of Green Island Borough.
There were dozens of reports of flooding throughout Dunedin which were received by the city engineer's department.
South Dunedin was awash for several hours on the afternoon of the 9th when Portobello pumping station became blocked with debris.
2500 telephone subscribers were cut off.
As a result of excessive rainfall, a small amount of petrol seeped from a tank at Atlantic Union Oil Company's terminal yard in Jutland Street.
The business of Wolfenden and Russell had "several thousand dollars worth" of goods damaged by water. Water entered the front of the shop early in the morning then appeared to subside, but later rose to a much higher level, in some places 1 ft (0.30 m).
There were 154 Earthquake and War Damage Commission claims for flood damage to date on the 16th of March.
The damage to public propertyv was estimated at $34,650 ($538,100 2009 dollars) for 110 houses or commercial buildings which were flooded.
94 houses were flooded on the flat. 10 houses were flooded in North-East Valley and six were flooded in Kaikorai Valley, Leith Valley and Sommerville Street.
Up to March 14th, $3,600 ($55,900 2009 dollars) had been spent on the cost of clearing slips and scours but further repairs would cost $15,000 ($232,900 2009 dollars).
The cost of work in the Water of Leith and Lindsays Creek was $7550 ($117,200 2009 dollars).
The cost of repairing damage to the water supply installations was estimated at $8500 ($132,000 2009 dollars).
The cost of extending the bridge over the north bank of Lindsays Creek, to prevent future scouring, was $13,000 ($201,900 2009 dollars).
The cost of the small pumping station provided at end of Felix Street was $2000 ($31,000 2009 dollars).
The cost of modifications to screens near the Musselburgh pumping station were approximately $800 ($12,400 2009 dollars).
The cost of the council's share of flood damaged roads was approximately $10,700 ($166,200 2009 dollars).
The Otago Peninsula suffered under the weekend deluge and small private roads suffered badly. Irvine Road at the Cove lost much of its surface and became a waterfall during the worst of the downpour.
Enfield recorded 3.52 in (8.94 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
A bus was abandoned in floodwaters on State Highway 1 at Kaka Creek, north of Hampden, on the morning of the 9th. Water was covering the seats and lapping the top of the dashboard. The driver and single passenger escaped out of the roof dome.
Water rose rapidly and at one stage it rose four inches in ten minutes.
About 3000 copies of the Otago Daily Times were ruined by water.
Herbert recorded 7.24 in (18.39 cm) of rain in 12 hours.
A 9 ft (2.74 m) gap down to sea level was made in the sandhills at Karitane by Waikouaiti River and the sea.
On the 12th, Kawarau River at Chards Road had a flood discharge of 350 cumecs with a catchment area of 4367 km^2 with a gauge height of 5.639 m.
Most serious damage to schools was done at the North-East Harbour School at Macandrew Bay by washed out soil, silt movements and blocked drains. It was estimated that it would cost an estimated $1000 ($15,500 2009 dollars) to repair.
Momona Airport recorded 3.39 in (8.61 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 9th.
Momona Airport recorded 2.82 in (7.16 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 10th.
Oamaru recorded 5.05 in (12.83 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
People in low-lying sections woke to find furniture floating about and water flowing under their beds.
At the north end, residents were generally the worst off, also those on the hill with their homes in depressions were surrounded with water.
Along the flat at the north end, water was spilling off hills and brought with it yards of clay and debris, which blocked water channels and stormwater drains.
The north end was like a lake as dawn broke on the 9th.
Some streets and residential properties were covered with ankle-deep sludge.
Outram recorded 4.13 in (10.49 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the night of the 8th. This rainfall surpassed the previous rainfall one day record which occurred on January 23, 1966.
Outram recorded 5.24 in (13.31 cm) of rain in 48 hours from the 8th to the 10th.
800 sheep had been reported lost by the 12th.
Considerable acreages of standing crops were destroyed and miles of fences were swept down.
Water didn't come near danger level in the contour channel at Taieri or in the Taieri River. The gauge reached 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m).
Owhiro Stream and Silver Stream overflowed their banks, flooding buildings and land.
Approximately 2500 acres (1012 ha) of land on the Taieri Plain was under water.
500 acres (202 ha) of land that was under water, on lower Taieri, was caused by the overflow of the recently completed contour channel. 300 acres (121 ha) was under water from the Meggetburn near Berwick.
Both Clutha River and Taieri River took a long time to return to their normal levels.
The ponding on East Taieri wouldn't subside until the level of the river returned to normal.
Heavy rain in the Tokomairiro catchment area on the night of the 8th and the morning of the 9th caused flooding of a wide area near Milton.
A North Branch farmer found his flat land under water in the morning.
Water moved quickly, flooding paddocks of wheat and turnips.
In minutes creeks rose from trickles to surging torrents 46 m wide.
Huge logs were carried downstream on the Salmonds Creek branch of Tokomairiro River and had to be hauled out.
State Highway 1 between Clarksville and Milton was under water on the afternoon of the 9th.
Apart from an isolated cloudburst at Glenore, most rain fell in coastal areas.
Many roads were damaged by water. Glenledi Road was closed because of damage to Sadlers Bridge and lakeside road to Kaitangata was closed for several days because of water damage.
The damage in Waitaki County was estimated to run into five figures.
There were two really serious washouts. A bridge into Maraeweka was demolished and a serious washout on Breakneck Road was impassable to traffic.
Horse Range Road was closed.
Waitati Stream was swollen to a torrent and in one place along the road approximately 3/4 of the road width was washed away for a distance of 4 chains (80.5 m).
It was estimated that 30,000 acres (12,141 ha) of wheat crops in Southland were destroyed (which was 80% of the district's planted wheat crop).