NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
March 1988 North Island Ex-tropical Cyclone Bola
(
1988-03-06
)
5-150+ years
Ex-tropical Cyclone Bola struck most regions of the North Island, in particular Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Northland, bringing widespread damage with combinations of heavy rain, flooding, high winds and heavy seas. Two people were drowned in Northland, three in Gisborne and two in Hawke's Bay. Three people were injured by high winds in Taranaki. The tail end of the cyclone later struck Tasman-Nelson.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 7 days - From the 6th to the 12th of March.
Weather forecast on the 8th: "A deep depression about 120 km north of North Cape is expected to remain near northern New Zealand over the next few days. A ridge of high pressure should persist across the south of the South Island, until Thursday. A very strong east to southeast flow is expected over northern and central NZ."
Ex-tropical Cyclone Bola. On the 8th, the front was stationary off Cape Brett, bringing heavy rain and high winds.
State Highway 35 was closed between Opotiki (Bay of Plenty) and East Cape (Gisborne). State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Opotiki was also blocked.
The Napier-Gisborne railway was closed.
Insurance Industry Payouts for the whole event totalled $37,000,000 ($63,000,000 2008 dollars), excluding Earthquake Commission claims.
Heavy Rain
One location recorded 593 mm (59.3 cm) of rain for the event.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Roads around the region were out of action.
Power cuts occurred and telephone services were severely disrupted. Most of the region was without power and telephone lines. Widespread damage was done to power lines and phone lines.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for North Kaipara, lasting from the 10th to the 13th.
Northland Insurance losses totalled $3,720,000 in 1991 ($5,446,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
From the 6th to the 9th.
Widespread damage was done to crops and horticulture. Damage was caused to shallow rooted trees such as citrus and tamarillos. More than $10 million ($17,000,000 2008 dollars) damage was done to Northland's farming and horticulture.
Losses of $5 million ($8,500,000 2008 dollars) were sustained by the region's horticultural industry.
Northland's kiwifruit industry was likely to suffer $3 million ($5,000,000 2008 dollars) in lost income earnings.
Tamarillo growers faced industry losses of $750,000 ($1,300,000 2008 dollars).
An estimated 500 homes were damaged.
The low pressure system had a nadir (lowest pressure) of 980 hPa.
Winds caused "windsnap" damage in conjunction with saturated soils, and wind throw of many of the trees used in the region for farm and horticulture shelter and specimen plantings.
Heavy Rain
There was up to 500 mm (50.0 cm) of rain over a six-day period.
Flooding
Torrential rain caused flooding in Northland on the 7th.
A 74-year-old man was drowned on the 8th after he was swept away by flood waters while trying to clear stock.
Maritime / Coastal
Swollen tides shattered craft moored at coastal areas throughout the region.
High Wind / Gust
The high winds caused significant damage to Northland forests.
Damage was done to 1,481 ha of Timberland's Northland Forest. Of trees aged 0-4 years, 794 ha were damaged, or 53%. Of trees aged 5-14 years, 547 ha were damaged, or 37%. Of trees aged 14-20 years, 3 ha were damaged, or 2%. Of trees aged over 20 years, 140 ha were damaged, or 9%.
Winds gusted up to 130 km/hr.
Flooding
at
Dargaville
At Dargaville, 5000 residents were left without a water supply when an old railway bridge 30km north of Dargaville carried away the town's water pipeline.
Dargaville was under a Civil Defence Emergency.
Multi Hazard
at
Hokianga Harbour
Flood damage to Hokianga roads was estimated at $300,000-$400,000 ($500,000-$700,000 2008 dollars).
4-5 hectares of the Hokianga county council's Haretuku pine forest had to be written off because of damage from the cyclone.
Landslide
At least 20 slips occurred from Te Karae to Motuti.
Flooding
at
Kaihu River
Four homes were evacuated in the Kaihu Valley.
Multi Hazard
at
Kohukohu
In the Kohukohu area 100 people were isolated by closed roads for about four days.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Marsden Point
There was a storm surge at Marsden Point, over and above the predicted tide.
South-east alongshore winds caused coastal set-up, and combined with a peak inverted barometer (IB) set-up of 0.27 m, resulting in a peak storm surge of 0.63 m at Marsden Point at around 12am on the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
There were peak south-east alongshore winds of up to 25 m/s (90 km/hr).
Maritime / Coastal
at
Opua
Opua had a storm surge of +0.50m.
Flooding
at
Te Karaka
600 people were evacuated at Te Karaka.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 302 mm (30.2 cm) of rain in 48 hours - 20 year rainfall.
Whangarei recorded 234 mm (23.4 cm) of rain in two days (Return Period 30 years).
Flooding
There was widespread flooding in Whangarei.
Overflowing sewers caused health risks.
A loader driver was killed after going over a bank.
High Wind / Gust
Whangarei had gale force winds of more than 100 km/hr.
The high winds lifted roofs.
Between 12am and 4am on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 40 km/hr.
Between 4am and 8am on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 50 km/hr.
Between 8am and 12pm on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 55 km/hr.
Between 12pm and 4pm on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 74 km/hr.
Between 4pm and 8pm on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 105 km/hr.
Between 12am and 4am on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 126 km/hr.
Between 4am and 8am on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 112 km/hr.
Between 8am and 12pm on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 97 km/hr.
Between 12pm and 4pm on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 86 km/hr.
Between 4pm and 8pm on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 65 km/hr.
Between 12am and 4am on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 47 km/hr.
Between 4am and 8am on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 54 km/hr.
Between 8am and 12pm on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 68 km/hr.
Between 12pm and 4pm on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 93 km/hr.
Between 4pm and 8pm on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 74 km/hr.
Maritime / Coastal
The winds whipped up tides, wrenching craft from their mooring.
Multi Hazard
The worst damage to forests was in the Whangarei area, caused by an unusual combination of torrential rain, coupled with strong and prolonged winds from the south-easterly direction.
Auckland
Flooding
at
Auckland
Auckland experienced some minor surface flooding on the 8th.
High Wind / Gust
Roofs were lifted and trees blown down.
Power was cut off to some areas.
Maritime / Coastal
Auckland had a storm surge of +0.40 m.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hauraki Gulf
There were storm warnings in the Hauraki Gulf from Bream Head to Cape Colville for winds of 40 knots (74 km/hr), gusting to 50 knots (93 km/hr).
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
The Coromandel Peninsula had no power overnight on the 7th/8th.
High Wind / Gust
There were fruit losses in the Waikato.
Dairy farmers in areas without power experienced loses through being unable to milk.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kinleith Forest
Cyclone Bola caused considerable damage to Kinleith Forest, with over 5000 ha of mature and semi mature radiata pine affected. Scattered damage occurred over a wide range of the forest, concentrated in the western parts (Tatua, Whakamaru, Waikato and Pouakani North Block). The most severe damage was in the Whakamaru/ Maraetai area. Damage was characterised by stem bending or breakage on most sites, and uprooting was noted in Tatua.
High Wind / Gust
at
Taupo
High winds straight out of the Kaimanawa Ranges struck the Taupo Forest, causing damage of varying degrees to 700 ha of the northern area of the forest. The affected trees were from 2 years old to 14 years old, the most severe damage being in 12-14-year-old stands recently production thinned. 4000 ha of young stands aged 2-6 years old received damage affecting from 20-80% of trees in the stand.
In the Taupo area a maximum wind speed of 95 km/hr was recorded on the 7th.
In the Timberlands Kinleith Forests and TFL Forests, over 17,000 ha was damaged.
High Wind / Gust
at
Te Awamutu
Power was cut in Te Awamutu for 12 hours, with the main services in town disrupted after power poles between Te Awamutu and Karapiro were blown over by gale force winds. The town was without power overnight on the 7th/8th.
Flooding
at
Thames
Intensive flooding occurred in the Thames Valley region.
A 26-year old dam cracked and slumped in two places following heavy rain.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for Thames Valley UC at 3:05pm on the 8th. The Thames Coast declaration lasted for three days.
The Return Period was estimated at a 5-year event.
84 people were evacuated in Thames Valley UC due to flooding. 52 evacuees were registered at the Thames welfare centre, and 32 registered at Te Puru.
Bay of Plenty
High Wind / Gust
at
Bay of Plenty
In the Bay of Plenty region, 2500 ha of trees were affected. Less than one-third of the volume of timber was blown down as in Cyclone Bernie. The crop damged was much younger than in Cyclone Bernie.
An avergae gust speed (obtained by averaging for Rotorua, Gisborne and Tauranga) of 51 knots (94 km/hr) was recorded on the 7th and 8th (Return Period 22 years).
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaingaroa Forest
The main damage to forests in the Bay of Plenty district was done to forests in the south and west of Kaingaroa.
Multi Hazard
at
Opotiki
State Highway 35 in the Opotiki area (18 sites) required a total of $1.30 million ($2,210,000 2008 dollars) of works to restore it.
High Wind / Gust
at
Rotorua
Rotorua Airport recorded peak gusts of 100 km/hr during one hour.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 329 km on the 6th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 796 km on the 7th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 501 km on the 8th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 494 km on the 9th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 446 km on the 10th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tauranga
Tauranga recorded winds of up to 44 knots (80 km/hr) on the 7th.
Roof iron was lifted off some buildings and a glass window was blown in at the Inland Revenue Department.
There were power faults caused by the wind. Welcome Bay, Kaitemako Road and Maungatapu were without power.
A Tauranga-Wellington flight was cancelled on the 7th.
Maritime / Coastal
One ship was delayed by rough seas and high winds.
An Auckland yachtsman went missing after leaving Tauranga.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tikitere
The Tikitere agroforestry trial experienced severe damage by gale force winds on the 7th and 8th. The winds coming from the South-east caused widespread top breakage but few trees were windthrown. Cyclone Bola was the third major cyclone to affect the trial.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne
The centre of the low did not come anywhere near Gisborne. The system had lost its tropical cyclone appearance by the time heavy rain started in Gisborne. The rain occurred in an area where tropical air brought down by the low converged with cooler air, brought up from the south-east on the northern flank of an anticyclone. Gisborne also lay within a “double jet” structure - in a region between the poleward exit region to one jet, and the equatorwards entrance region to another.
State Highway 35 in the Gisborne areas (15 sites) required a total of $1.20 million ($2,040,000 2008 dollars) of works to resotre it.
Damage to forests on the East Coast was estimated at $8.6 million ($14,700,000 2008 dollars).
Insurance losses for East Cape and Poverty Bay totalled $3,530,000 in 1991 ($5,168,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
The damage totalled $111 million ($189,000,000 2008 dollars).
Flooding
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the East Cape region at 9pm on the 7th and lasted until the 13th. The declaration was re-extended for Poverty Bay, Waikohu County and Waiapu County from the 22nd to the 25th. DRC was appointed on the 9th for 28 days, and reappointed on 1st April and 1st May, for 28 days each time.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Poverty Bay Combined District at 4:27pm on the 7th and lasted until 9pm on the 7th.
Twelve people were rescued by a helicopter from flood-ravanged East Coast areas. By the third day, 17 helicopters were operating for call-outs.
Millions of dollars worth of damage was done to crops.
Water supplies in many towns ruptured.
Dozens of homes were severely damaged.
Very extensive and severe erosion occurred into the East Cape.
Heavy Rain
Rain fell in Gisborne from the 6th.
A heavy rain warning was issued, but the amounts that eventuated were far in excess of the forecast.
Landslide
Massive landslides occurred.
Flooding
at
Gisborne City
Gisborne streets were flooded.
The Gisborne water supply failed on the 7th, leaving the population of 30,000 without water.
Repairs to the water supply in Gisborne were estimated to cost $6.6 million ($11,200,000 2008 dollars).
3000 people were evacuated at Gisborne.
Flights were cancelled, stranding hundreds of air travellers.
Insurance losses for Gisborne totalled $4,580,000 in 1991 ($6,705,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, assistance costs were estimated at $21 million in 1989 ($35,000,000 2008 dollars), paid to farmers under the Cyclone Bola farming assistance programme.
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, the storm damage cost for repairing non-insurable on-farm storm damage (fences, farm tracks, etc.) was estimated at $18 million in 1989 ($29,100,000 2008 dollars).
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, income was reduced by $18 million (1989) ($29,100,000 2008 dollars) due to reduced grazing area and livestock numbers, and $3 million ($4,860,000 2008 dollars) the following year - a total of $21 million ($35,000,000 2008 dollars).
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, farm valuations reduced by an estimated $20 million ($32,400,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
at
Glenross station
Glenross/ Waimata recorded 917 mm (91.7 cm) of rain in four days (Return Period well over 150 years).
Flooding
at
Hicks Bay
The Hicks Bay Motor camp was evacuated.
Multi Hazard
at
Mangatuna
Mangatuna was hard hit by flooding and gales.
Flooding
Three people were drowned at Mangatuna, near Tolaga Bay, when they were trapped in a car that was swept away by flood waters at 8:30pm on the 7th.
Flooding
at
Ormond
Major flooding occurred at Ormond. Stopbanks to the south were breached in the Kaiteretahi/ Ormond area, isolating residents.
In the Kaitaratahi/ Ormond area 400 people were evacuated to Waikohu College and Crainwich Farm.
Flooding
at
Ruatoria
Ruatoria was isolated, with bridge approaches washed away.
Multi Hazard
at
Te Karaka
400 people were evacuated at Te Karaka on the 7th when the swollen Waipaoa River came close to flooding the township.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Puia
Te Puia Springs recorded 419 mm (41.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Te Puia Springs was isolated, with roads washed out and no power.
Flooding
at
Tikitiki
Tikitiki was isolated.
Flooding
at
Tokomaru Bay
Flooding occurred at Tokomaru Bay.
There was no power.
Heavy Rain
at
Tolaga Bay
Tolaga Bay recorded 916 mm (91.6 cm) of rain in three days.
Flooding
Flooding occurred at Tolaga Bay.
Multi Hazard
State Highway 35 in the Tolaga Bay area had an estimated cost for works and fees of $350,000 ($596,000 2008 dollars).
Landslide
at
Waerenga-o-kuri
The highway at Waerenga-o-kuri was blocked by a massive slip.
Flooding
at
Waiapu River
In the Waiapu County 16-20 houses were uninhabitable.
525 kilometres of roading was damaged and two bridges were lost. The estimated cost of repairs was $3 milllion ($5,110,000 2008 dollars).
Flooding
at
Waikohu station
At Waikohu, the population of about 1600 was evacuated.
Flooding
at
Waituhi
At Waituhi, a stopbank was breached.
Hawke's Bay
Multi Hazard
at
Hawke's Bay
The Hawke's Bay area experienced a fairly severe storm from the 6th to the 10th, resulting from Cyclone Bola.
It was the most significant storm in the region since Cyclone Alison in 1975.
Considerable damage was done in the Wairoa district.
The Wairoa-Napier highway was cut by flooding and slips. Major slips occurred on the road.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Hawke's Bay County at 5:15pm on the 9th and lasted until 9:00am on the 10th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Hawkes Bay UC, for areas from Whirinaki Bluff to Raupunga, at 12:10pm on the 11th and lasted until 5:00pm on the 13th.
Flooding
High winds and heavy rainfall from a south-easterly direction caused moderate to severe flooding in some catchments.
Around 30,000 ha land from the Esk River to Kotemaori was very severely affected by erosion and sedimentation. Severe stream bank erosion both undercut and by-passed trees and new gullies were cut as the overland flows increased. In deeper tephra soils, pumice fluidised and collapsed en masse. Land was eroded by gully erosion, soil slip and debris flow. Upper slope erosion occurred down on bedrock.
In the Hawkes Bay County 25 houses were evacuated, plus 10 fruitpickers.
Landslide
The railway line from Napier to Wairoa was closed by slips in at least three places, for at least three days.
Heavy Rain
at
Aniwaniwa
Aniwaniwa recorded 771 mm (77.1 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
at
Clive
The flood in the Ngaruroro River at the River Mouth had a preliminary return period of 30 years.
Flooding
at
Dartmoor
The Tutaekuri River caused severe flooding in the Dartmoor Valley.
Flooding
at
Esk River
The flood in the Esk River had a preliminary return period of 30 years.
Flooding
at
Eskdale
The Esk River peaked at 6.45 m at Waipunga Road.
Flooding
at
Fernhill station
The flood in the Ngaruroro River at Fernhill had a preliminary return period of 15 years.
Heavy Rain
at
Pukeorapa station
Pukeorapa recorded 635 mm (63.5 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period 30 years). This was the highest intensity rainfall in the region.
Flooding
at
Tangoio
Te Ngaru Stream had a major flood, with considerable overflows down the valley. Major silt deposits were left and stream bank damage occurred.
Flooding
at
Tukituki River
The flood in the Upper Tukituki / Waipawa River had a preliminary return period of 5-10 years.
Flooding
at
Tutaekuri River
The Tukituki River and its main tributaries ran high, with some local flooding resulting.
The Tukituki River reached a level of 4m at State Highway 2.
Two sections of stopbank 50m in length were completely washed away, and shingle was deposited over a large area of farmland.
On preliminary inspection, some damage to stopbanks would cost $375,000 ($639,000 2008 dollars) in Flood Protection Works.
Catchment Control Works would cost a total of $177,000 ($302,000 2008 dollars).
The flood in the Tutaekuri River had a preliminary return period of 30 years.
Heavy Rain
at
Tutira
Tutira recorded 649 mm (64.9 cm) of rain in two days (Return Period more than 150 years).
The Tutira area recorded 700 mm (70.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Flooding
Tutira was overwhelmed by flooding and erosion. Severe damage was done to fencelines and tracks in the area. Class VII land suffered up to 20% bare land in places.
Severe damage was done to roads in the Tutira area.
Lake Tutira reached a level 0.9m above the level during the 1985 storm.
Heavy Rain
at
Waimarama
Waipoapoa (Road) recorded a rainfall intensity of 23.5 mm/hr (2.4 cm/hr).
Multi Hazard
at
Wairoa
Wairoa Airport was closed.
Flooding
In the Northern Area flooding reached disasterous proportions, with houses flooded.
Wairoa's main bridge collapsed, splitting the town in two. Wairoa was also completely isolated from the south due to the highway being blocked. Many roads and bridges in the northern Wairoa area were impassable.
The town's water supply was destroyed when the bridge was washed away.
The sewage system was also disrupted.
330 people were evacauted in the North Clyde area of Wairoa due to flooding.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for Wairoa at 3:40am on the 8th and lasted until 4pm on the 14th. Another declaration was in place until 4:10pm on the 17th.
Two territorial soldiers were killed when a car plunged into the swollen Wairoa River.
The flood in the Wairoa River had a preliminary return period of more than 12 years.
Wairoa insurance losses totalled $3,790,000 in 1991 ($5,549,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
Flooding
at
Whanawhana station
The flood in the Ngaruroro River at Whanawhana had a preliminary return period of 20 years.
Flooding
at
Whirinaki
Water from the Esk River flooded the camping ground, Beck House and the Whirinaki water intake.
The flood waters closed State Highway 2, Tait Road and the Napier/Taupo Road.
Taranaki
Multi Hazard
at
Taranaki
Weather forecast for Taranaki on the 8th: "Southeast winds up to severe gales in many places, cloudy with scattered rain, Bell Block southeasterlies to 62 knots."
Taranaki was battered by the storm on the 7th and 8th.
High Wind / Gust
Hundreds of houses were severely damaged. More than 50 houses lost their roofs, 439 houses were badly damaged, and a number were uninhabitable. Several houses and buildings suffered structural damage.
Glasshouses were blown out. A reserves storage shed suffered serious damage, with the roller door blown in, the roof blown off and windows blown out. An estimated 10,000 trees were downed, 54 km of fencing destroyed, 90 haybarns and 30 dairy sheds severely damaged or destroyed and 40 houses affected.
Winds blowing at more than 65 knots (120 km/hr) continued for 24 hours.
All schools in North Taranaki and most shops were closed.
Some roads were closed. State Highway 45 south of New Plymouth was closed from Omata to Okato.
Parks and reserves, including Pukekura Park and Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, were severely damaged.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the North Taranaki Combined CD District at 6:10am on the 8th and lasted until 7:00am on the 10th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Egmont County at 10:06am on the 8th and lasted until 4:53pm on the 10th.
A man was injured when he fell from a roof received. He received two broken ankles, a broken hip and a sprained back. Two other people were taken to hospital after being blown over.
There were several reports of cars being blown off roads.
Power was cut in isolated areas throughout the province due to trees being blown on to power lines, lines being blown down, and roofing iron cutting lines.
Burning power poles were a major problem in South Taranaki, as salt blown by the wind built up on the pole cross arms and set the poles alight.
Cyclone damage to the east coast was unquestionably one of the worst storm damage situations ever seen.
Millions of dollars in cash crops were decimated. Between 30% and 50% of the export crops, valued at up to $1 million ($1,700,000 2008 dollars), were lost during Cyclone Bola. Scattered damage was done to kiwifruit crops, some having 100% loss, and there was considerable leaf loss of vines. Much of the crop was bruised and unsuitable for export, and a lot of shelter was lost. Tamarillo crops also suffered severely during the storm.
The damage to farms was well into the $10,000's, because many cowhseds were destroyed. Many pastures were also burned by salt spray.
Cyclone Bola caused more than $3.5 million ($5,960,000 2008 dollars) worth of damage along a 20-km stretch of coastal South Taranaki.
$1.2 m ($2,040,000 2008 dollars) of production was lost.
The roading repair bill from Cyclone Bola totalled $25 million ($42,600,000 2008 dollars).
An estimated 30% of all family property wiped out by the cyclone would be uninsured or seriously underinsured, with an estimated less than $300 million uninsured.
Taranaki insurance losses totalled $15,950,000 in 1991 ($23,352,000 2008 dollars), excluding Earthquake Commission claims.
Maritime / Coastal
Seas of up to 12.5 m were reported from Maui Tower.
The seas battered offshore oil rigs and the Maui A production platform.
Heavy Rain
Some water damage to buildings was reported, but nothing serious.
High Wind / Gust
at
Bell Block
Bell Block recorded average winds of 45 knots (83 km/hr).
Bell Block recorded wind gusts of up to 62 knots (115 km/hr).
High Wind / Gust
at
Hurford
Hurford Road Hall was lifted from its foundations and landed about a metre away. It was feared it would have to be demolished.
High Wind / Gust
at
New Plymouth
New Plymouth airport was closed on the 7th and 8th.
31 residents of New Plymouth Riverview Rest Home were evacuated after high winds tore the roof off a wing of the building.
High winds at the port flipped small diving vessels and blew over a temporary hut.
High Wind / Gust
at
Oakura
Oakura recorded a wind gust of 97 knots (180 km/hr).
The Oakura township was the worst hit, with houses completely collapsing, roofs being lifted and roofing iron flying though the air.
Oakura was the worst hit by power cuts.
Oakura was without water.
High Wind / Gust
at
Okato
South Oakato was isolated, with no telephone communications to New Plymouth.
Property damage occurred at Okato.
High Wind / Gust
at
Pungarehu
Nearly every farmer in the Rahotu and Pungarehu area had some damage to property.
High Wind / Gust
at
Rahotu
Nearly every farmer in the Rahotu and Pungarehu area had some damage to property.
High Wind / Gust
at
Warea
Warea was isolated, with no telephone communications to New Plymouth.
In the Warea sector the winds devastated more than $1.7 million ($2,900,000 2008 dollars) in an area 10 km wide .
Tasman-Nelson
Multi Hazard
at
Tasman-Nelson
The Tasman-Nelson region was lashed by the cyclone's tail on the 12th, with widespread heavy rain and high winds buffetting the region. The cyclone was reduced to deep depression.
Flooding
Several rivers flooded.
Surface flooding occurred on roads and some were closed.
Golden Bay was the worst hit by the deluge. Heavy rain hit the western ranges and caused flooding in Golden Bay.
Surface flooding occurred on low-lying farmland.
Heavy Rain
at
Aorere River
Rainfall was the heaviest in the Takaka and Aorere River catchments.
Heavy Rain
at
Bainham
Bainham recorded 182.5 mm (18.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Multi Hazard
at
Collingwood
Collingwood was cut off by road.
Heavy Rain
at
Riwaka
Riwaka recorded 150.3 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Takaka
Roads were closed by flood waters from the Takaka River. Motupipi Street in Takaka was closed and State Highway 60 on either side of town was closed.
Landslide
Several new slips came down on Takaka Hill, one slip covering most of the road on the Takaka side.
Flooding
at
Takaka River
Rainfall was the heaviest in the Takaka and Aorere river catchment
Flooding
at
Upper Takaka
State Highway 60 was closed at Upper Takaka, northwards.
Flooding
at
Waitapu
State Highway 60 was closed at Waitapu Bridge's Hollow, southwards.
References
- Bell, R.; Gorman, R. Overview of Weather and Coastal Hazards in the Northland Region - Part II: Coastal.
- Headline: Bay escapes full fury.
- The Bay of Plenty Times, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Four die in storm.
- The Bay of Plenty Times, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Police fear for yachtie.
- The Bay of Plenty Times, 8 March 1988.
- Brown, P.C.; Jones, S. Wind risk in the Bay of Plenty. Workshop on Wind damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- Carter P.C.S. Wind damage in Kinleith Forest - effects of Cyclone Bola. Workshop on Wind Damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests.
- Civil Defence Declarations Since 1 January 1963, Declared Civil Emergencies, 31 December 1999.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies, 31 December 1999, Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Environment Waikato. State of Emergency Declarations in the district since 1976.
- Gray, W. Overview of weather and coastal hazards in the Northland region, Part I: Weather hazards.
- Hawke's Bay Catchment Board, report on storm of 6-10 March 1988.
- Hawkes Bay Regional Council: www.hbrc.govt.nz.
- Insurance Councils, The Cost of Weather Losses, Claims history (Updated 2004).
- Johnston, D.D.; Pearse, L.J. (2007). Hazards in Hawke's Bay. Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier, New Zealand.
- Knowles, R.L.; Paton, V.J. The effect of final-crop stocking on wind damage at Tikitere. Workshop on Wind damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- Korte, C.J. (1989). The Effect of Cyclone Bola on Hill Country Farms in the Gisbourne-East Coast Region: Physical Damage, Government Assistance, Cash Flows, and Debt.
- Headline: Cyclone Bola.
- http://library.christchurch.org.nz.
- MCDEM, 2002.
- Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council. (1991). Takaka Flood Frequency, Maps and Newspapers, Reports of Historical Floods. Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council, pp.61.
- New, D. Accounting for New Zealand plantation's risk to wind damage - facing the facts. Workshop on Wind damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Frantic efforts to restore water.
- The Northern Advocate, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Bola cuts $10m swather of damage.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 March 1988.
- Rasmussen, J.H. Wind damage in Northland forests. Workshop on Wind Damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- Headline: $8m storm chaos bill.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Crop damage devastating.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Cyclone backlash kills 4.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Cyclone Bola.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Farm buildings demolished.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Soldiers die in cyclone's wake.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Standby water supply fails in Gisborne.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Storm special.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: The weather.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Weathering the storm.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: $3.5 m storm trail toll.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Civil defence in recovery phase.
- Taranaki Herald,.11 March 1988.
- Headline: Cyclone tail swipes Nelson.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Insurance crisis after storm.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Older roof nails proved better.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Taranaki Regional Council. Cyclone Bola Civil Defence Report.
- Turner, R.M. Canterbury plains and Lake Taupo forests. Workshop on Wind Damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests.
March 1988 North Island Ex-tropical Cyclone Bola
(
1988-03-06
)
5-150+ years
Ex-tropical Cyclone Bola struck most regions of the North Island, in particular Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Northland, bringing widespread damage with combinations of heavy rain, flooding, high winds and heavy seas. Two people were drowned in Northland, three in Gisborne and two in Hawke's Bay. Three people were injured by high winds in Taranaki. The tail end of the cyclone later struck Tasman-Nelson.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 7 days - From the 6th to the 12th of March.
Weather forecast on the 8th: "A deep depression about 120 km north of North Cape is expected to remain near northern New Zealand over the next few days. A ridge of high pressure should persist across the south of the South Island, until Thursday. A very strong east to southeast flow is expected over northern and central NZ."
Ex-tropical Cyclone Bola. On the 8th, the front was stationary off Cape Brett, bringing heavy rain and high winds.
State Highway 35 was closed between Opotiki (Bay of Plenty) and East Cape (Gisborne). State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Opotiki was also blocked.
The Napier-Gisborne railway was closed.
Insurance Industry Payouts for the whole event totalled $37,000,000 ($63,000,000 2008 dollars), excluding Earthquake Commission claims.
Heavy Rain
One location recorded 593 mm (59.3 cm) of rain for the event.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Roads around the region were out of action.
Power cuts occurred and telephone services were severely disrupted. Most of the region was without power and telephone lines. Widespread damage was done to power lines and phone lines.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for North Kaipara, lasting from the 10th to the 13th.
Northland Insurance losses totalled $3,720,000 in 1991 ($5,446,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
From the 6th to the 9th.
Widespread damage was done to crops and horticulture. Damage was caused to shallow rooted trees such as citrus and tamarillos. More than $10 million ($17,000,000 2008 dollars) damage was done to Northland's farming and horticulture.
Losses of $5 million ($8,500,000 2008 dollars) were sustained by the region's horticultural industry.
Northland's kiwifruit industry was likely to suffer $3 million ($5,000,000 2008 dollars) in lost income earnings.
Tamarillo growers faced industry losses of $750,000 ($1,300,000 2008 dollars).
An estimated 500 homes were damaged.
The low pressure system had a nadir (lowest pressure) of 980 hPa.
Winds caused "windsnap" damage in conjunction with saturated soils, and wind throw of many of the trees used in the region for farm and horticulture shelter and specimen plantings.
Heavy Rain
There was up to 500 mm (50.0 cm) of rain over a six-day period.
Flooding
Torrential rain caused flooding in Northland on the 7th.
A 74-year-old man was drowned on the 8th after he was swept away by flood waters while trying to clear stock.
Maritime / Coastal
Swollen tides shattered craft moored at coastal areas throughout the region.
High Wind / Gust
The high winds caused significant damage to Northland forests.
Damage was done to 1,481 ha of Timberland's Northland Forest. Of trees aged 0-4 years, 794 ha were damaged, or 53%. Of trees aged 5-14 years, 547 ha were damaged, or 37%. Of trees aged 14-20 years, 3 ha were damaged, or 2%. Of trees aged over 20 years, 140 ha were damaged, or 9%.
Winds gusted up to 130 km/hr.
Flooding
at
Dargaville
At Dargaville, 5000 residents were left without a water supply when an old railway bridge 30km north of Dargaville carried away the town's water pipeline.
Dargaville was under a Civil Defence Emergency.
Multi Hazard
at
Hokianga Harbour
Flood damage to Hokianga roads was estimated at $300,000-$400,000 ($500,000-$700,000 2008 dollars).
4-5 hectares of the Hokianga county council's Haretuku pine forest had to be written off because of damage from the cyclone.
Landslide
At least 20 slips occurred from Te Karae to Motuti.
Flooding
at
Kaihu River
Four homes were evacuated in the Kaihu Valley.
Multi Hazard
at
Kohukohu
In the Kohukohu area 100 people were isolated by closed roads for about four days.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Marsden Point
There was a storm surge at Marsden Point, over and above the predicted tide.
South-east alongshore winds caused coastal set-up, and combined with a peak inverted barometer (IB) set-up of 0.27 m, resulting in a peak storm surge of 0.63 m at Marsden Point at around 12am on the 7th.
High Wind / Gust
There were peak south-east alongshore winds of up to 25 m/s (90 km/hr).
Maritime / Coastal
at
Opua
Opua had a storm surge of +0.50m.
Flooding
at
Te Karaka
600 people were evacuated at Te Karaka.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 302 mm (30.2 cm) of rain in 48 hours - 20 year rainfall.
Whangarei recorded 234 mm (23.4 cm) of rain in two days (Return Period 30 years).
Flooding
There was widespread flooding in Whangarei.
Overflowing sewers caused health risks.
A loader driver was killed after going over a bank.
High Wind / Gust
Whangarei had gale force winds of more than 100 km/hr.
The high winds lifted roofs.
Between 12am and 4am on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 40 km/hr.
Between 4am and 8am on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 50 km/hr.
Between 8am and 12pm on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 55 km/hr.
Between 12pm and 4pm on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 74 km/hr.
Between 4pm and 8pm on the 7th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 105 km/hr.
Between 12am and 4am on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 126 km/hr.
Between 4am and 8am on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 112 km/hr.
Between 8am and 12pm on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 97 km/hr.
Between 12pm and 4pm on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 86 km/hr.
Between 4pm and 8pm on the 8th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 65 km/hr.
Between 12am and 4am on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 47 km/hr.
Between 4am and 8am on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 54 km/hr.
Between 8am and 12pm on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 68 km/hr.
Between 12pm and 4pm on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 93 km/hr.
Between 4pm and 8pm on the 9th, Whangarei recorded a maximum wind gust of 74 km/hr.
Maritime / Coastal
The winds whipped up tides, wrenching craft from their mooring.
Multi Hazard
The worst damage to forests was in the Whangarei area, caused by an unusual combination of torrential rain, coupled with strong and prolonged winds from the south-easterly direction.
Auckland
Flooding
at
Auckland
Auckland experienced some minor surface flooding on the 8th.
High Wind / Gust
Roofs were lifted and trees blown down.
Power was cut off to some areas.
Maritime / Coastal
Auckland had a storm surge of +0.40 m.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hauraki Gulf
There were storm warnings in the Hauraki Gulf from Bream Head to Cape Colville for winds of 40 knots (74 km/hr), gusting to 50 knots (93 km/hr).
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
The Coromandel Peninsula had no power overnight on the 7th/8th.
High Wind / Gust
There were fruit losses in the Waikato.
Dairy farmers in areas without power experienced loses through being unable to milk.
High Wind / Gust
at
Kinleith Forest
Cyclone Bola caused considerable damage to Kinleith Forest, with over 5000 ha of mature and semi mature radiata pine affected. Scattered damage occurred over a wide range of the forest, concentrated in the western parts (Tatua, Whakamaru, Waikato and Pouakani North Block). The most severe damage was in the Whakamaru/ Maraetai area. Damage was characterised by stem bending or breakage on most sites, and uprooting was noted in Tatua.
High Wind / Gust
at
Taupo
High winds straight out of the Kaimanawa Ranges struck the Taupo Forest, causing damage of varying degrees to 700 ha of the northern area of the forest. The affected trees were from 2 years old to 14 years old, the most severe damage being in 12-14-year-old stands recently production thinned. 4000 ha of young stands aged 2-6 years old received damage affecting from 20-80% of trees in the stand.
In the Taupo area a maximum wind speed of 95 km/hr was recorded on the 7th.
In the Timberlands Kinleith Forests and TFL Forests, over 17,000 ha was damaged.
High Wind / Gust
at
Te Awamutu
Power was cut in Te Awamutu for 12 hours, with the main services in town disrupted after power poles between Te Awamutu and Karapiro were blown over by gale force winds. The town was without power overnight on the 7th/8th.
Flooding
at
Thames
Intensive flooding occurred in the Thames Valley region.
A 26-year old dam cracked and slumped in two places following heavy rain.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for Thames Valley UC at 3:05pm on the 8th. The Thames Coast declaration lasted for three days.
The Return Period was estimated at a 5-year event.
84 people were evacuated in Thames Valley UC due to flooding. 52 evacuees were registered at the Thames welfare centre, and 32 registered at Te Puru.
Bay of Plenty
High Wind / Gust
at
Bay of Plenty
In the Bay of Plenty region, 2500 ha of trees were affected. Less than one-third of the volume of timber was blown down as in Cyclone Bernie. The crop damged was much younger than in Cyclone Bernie.
An avergae gust speed (obtained by averaging for Rotorua, Gisborne and Tauranga) of 51 knots (94 km/hr) was recorded on the 7th and 8th (Return Period 22 years).
High Wind / Gust
at
Kaingaroa Forest
The main damage to forests in the Bay of Plenty district was done to forests in the south and west of Kaingaroa.
Multi Hazard
at
Opotiki
State Highway 35 in the Opotiki area (18 sites) required a total of $1.30 million ($2,210,000 2008 dollars) of works to restore it.
High Wind / Gust
at
Rotorua
Rotorua Airport recorded peak gusts of 100 km/hr during one hour.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 329 km on the 6th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 796 km on the 7th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 501 km on the 8th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 494 km on the 9th.
Rotorua recorded a 24-hour wind run of 446 km on the 10th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tauranga
Tauranga recorded winds of up to 44 knots (80 km/hr) on the 7th.
Roof iron was lifted off some buildings and a glass window was blown in at the Inland Revenue Department.
There were power faults caused by the wind. Welcome Bay, Kaitemako Road and Maungatapu were without power.
A Tauranga-Wellington flight was cancelled on the 7th.
Maritime / Coastal
One ship was delayed by rough seas and high winds.
An Auckland yachtsman went missing after leaving Tauranga.
High Wind / Gust
at
Tikitere
The Tikitere agroforestry trial experienced severe damage by gale force winds on the 7th and 8th. The winds coming from the South-east caused widespread top breakage but few trees were windthrown. Cyclone Bola was the third major cyclone to affect the trial.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne
The centre of the low did not come anywhere near Gisborne. The system had lost its tropical cyclone appearance by the time heavy rain started in Gisborne. The rain occurred in an area where tropical air brought down by the low converged with cooler air, brought up from the south-east on the northern flank of an anticyclone. Gisborne also lay within a “double jet” structure - in a region between the poleward exit region to one jet, and the equatorwards entrance region to another.
State Highway 35 in the Gisborne areas (15 sites) required a total of $1.20 million ($2,040,000 2008 dollars) of works to resotre it.
Damage to forests on the East Coast was estimated at $8.6 million ($14,700,000 2008 dollars).
Insurance losses for East Cape and Poverty Bay totalled $3,530,000 in 1991 ($5,168,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
The damage totalled $111 million ($189,000,000 2008 dollars).
Flooding
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the East Cape region at 9pm on the 7th and lasted until the 13th. The declaration was re-extended for Poverty Bay, Waikohu County and Waiapu County from the 22nd to the 25th. DRC was appointed on the 9th for 28 days, and reappointed on 1st April and 1st May, for 28 days each time.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Poverty Bay Combined District at 4:27pm on the 7th and lasted until 9pm on the 7th.
Twelve people were rescued by a helicopter from flood-ravanged East Coast areas. By the third day, 17 helicopters were operating for call-outs.
Millions of dollars worth of damage was done to crops.
Water supplies in many towns ruptured.
Dozens of homes were severely damaged.
Very extensive and severe erosion occurred into the East Cape.
Heavy Rain
Rain fell in Gisborne from the 6th.
A heavy rain warning was issued, but the amounts that eventuated were far in excess of the forecast.
Landslide
Massive landslides occurred.
Flooding
at
Gisborne City
Gisborne streets were flooded.
The Gisborne water supply failed on the 7th, leaving the population of 30,000 without water.
Repairs to the water supply in Gisborne were estimated to cost $6.6 million ($11,200,000 2008 dollars).
3000 people were evacuated at Gisborne.
Flights were cancelled, stranding hundreds of air travellers.
Insurance losses for Gisborne totalled $4,580,000 in 1991 ($6,705,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, assistance costs were estimated at $21 million in 1989 ($35,000,000 2008 dollars), paid to farmers under the Cyclone Bola farming assistance programme.
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, the storm damage cost for repairing non-insurable on-farm storm damage (fences, farm tracks, etc.) was estimated at $18 million in 1989 ($29,100,000 2008 dollars).
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, income was reduced by $18 million (1989) ($29,100,000 2008 dollars) due to reduced grazing area and livestock numbers, and $3 million ($4,860,000 2008 dollars) the following year - a total of $21 million ($35,000,000 2008 dollars).
In the Gisborne-East Coast hill country, farm valuations reduced by an estimated $20 million ($32,400,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
at
Glenross station
Glenross/ Waimata recorded 917 mm (91.7 cm) of rain in four days (Return Period well over 150 years).
Flooding
at
Hicks Bay
The Hicks Bay Motor camp was evacuated.
Multi Hazard
at
Mangatuna
Mangatuna was hard hit by flooding and gales.
Flooding
Three people were drowned at Mangatuna, near Tolaga Bay, when they were trapped in a car that was swept away by flood waters at 8:30pm on the 7th.
Flooding
at
Ormond
Major flooding occurred at Ormond. Stopbanks to the south were breached in the Kaiteretahi/ Ormond area, isolating residents.
In the Kaitaratahi/ Ormond area 400 people were evacuated to Waikohu College and Crainwich Farm.
Flooding
at
Ruatoria
Ruatoria was isolated, with bridge approaches washed away.
Multi Hazard
at
Te Karaka
400 people were evacuated at Te Karaka on the 7th when the swollen Waipaoa River came close to flooding the township.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Puia
Te Puia Springs recorded 419 mm (41.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
Te Puia Springs was isolated, with roads washed out and no power.
Flooding
at
Tikitiki
Tikitiki was isolated.
Flooding
at
Tokomaru Bay
Flooding occurred at Tokomaru Bay.
There was no power.
Heavy Rain
at
Tolaga Bay
Tolaga Bay recorded 916 mm (91.6 cm) of rain in three days.
Flooding
Flooding occurred at Tolaga Bay.
Multi Hazard
State Highway 35 in the Tolaga Bay area had an estimated cost for works and fees of $350,000 ($596,000 2008 dollars).
Landslide
at
Waerenga-o-kuri
The highway at Waerenga-o-kuri was blocked by a massive slip.
Flooding
at
Waiapu River
In the Waiapu County 16-20 houses were uninhabitable.
525 kilometres of roading was damaged and two bridges were lost. The estimated cost of repairs was $3 milllion ($5,110,000 2008 dollars).
Flooding
at
Waikohu station
At Waikohu, the population of about 1600 was evacuated.
Flooding
at
Waituhi
At Waituhi, a stopbank was breached.
Hawke's Bay
Multi Hazard
at
Hawke's Bay
The Hawke's Bay area experienced a fairly severe storm from the 6th to the 10th, resulting from Cyclone Bola.
It was the most significant storm in the region since Cyclone Alison in 1975.
Considerable damage was done in the Wairoa district.
The Wairoa-Napier highway was cut by flooding and slips. Major slips occurred on the road.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Hawke's Bay County at 5:15pm on the 9th and lasted until 9:00am on the 10th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Hawkes Bay UC, for areas from Whirinaki Bluff to Raupunga, at 12:10pm on the 11th and lasted until 5:00pm on the 13th.
Flooding
High winds and heavy rainfall from a south-easterly direction caused moderate to severe flooding in some catchments.
Around 30,000 ha land from the Esk River to Kotemaori was very severely affected by erosion and sedimentation. Severe stream bank erosion both undercut and by-passed trees and new gullies were cut as the overland flows increased. In deeper tephra soils, pumice fluidised and collapsed en masse. Land was eroded by gully erosion, soil slip and debris flow. Upper slope erosion occurred down on bedrock.
In the Hawkes Bay County 25 houses were evacuated, plus 10 fruitpickers.
Landslide
The railway line from Napier to Wairoa was closed by slips in at least three places, for at least three days.
Heavy Rain
at
Aniwaniwa
Aniwaniwa recorded 771 mm (77.1 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period more than 150 years).
Flooding
at
Clive
The flood in the Ngaruroro River at the River Mouth had a preliminary return period of 30 years.
Flooding
at
Dartmoor
The Tutaekuri River caused severe flooding in the Dartmoor Valley.
Flooding
at
Esk River
The flood in the Esk River had a preliminary return period of 30 years.
Flooding
at
Eskdale
The Esk River peaked at 6.45 m at Waipunga Road.
Flooding
at
Fernhill station
The flood in the Ngaruroro River at Fernhill had a preliminary return period of 15 years.
Heavy Rain
at
Pukeorapa station
Pukeorapa recorded 635 mm (63.5 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period 30 years). This was the highest intensity rainfall in the region.
Flooding
at
Tangoio
Te Ngaru Stream had a major flood, with considerable overflows down the valley. Major silt deposits were left and stream bank damage occurred.
Flooding
at
Tukituki River
The flood in the Upper Tukituki / Waipawa River had a preliminary return period of 5-10 years.
Flooding
at
Tutaekuri River
The Tukituki River and its main tributaries ran high, with some local flooding resulting.
The Tukituki River reached a level of 4m at State Highway 2.
Two sections of stopbank 50m in length were completely washed away, and shingle was deposited over a large area of farmland.
On preliminary inspection, some damage to stopbanks would cost $375,000 ($639,000 2008 dollars) in Flood Protection Works.
Catchment Control Works would cost a total of $177,000 ($302,000 2008 dollars).
The flood in the Tutaekuri River had a preliminary return period of 30 years.
Heavy Rain
at
Tutira
Tutira recorded 649 mm (64.9 cm) of rain in two days (Return Period more than 150 years).
The Tutira area recorded 700 mm (70.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Flooding
Tutira was overwhelmed by flooding and erosion. Severe damage was done to fencelines and tracks in the area. Class VII land suffered up to 20% bare land in places.
Severe damage was done to roads in the Tutira area.
Lake Tutira reached a level 0.9m above the level during the 1985 storm.
Heavy Rain
at
Waimarama
Waipoapoa (Road) recorded a rainfall intensity of 23.5 mm/hr (2.4 cm/hr).
Multi Hazard
at
Wairoa
Wairoa Airport was closed.
Flooding
In the Northern Area flooding reached disasterous proportions, with houses flooded.
Wairoa's main bridge collapsed, splitting the town in two. Wairoa was also completely isolated from the south due to the highway being blocked. Many roads and bridges in the northern Wairoa area were impassable.
The town's water supply was destroyed when the bridge was washed away.
The sewage system was also disrupted.
330 people were evacauted in the North Clyde area of Wairoa due to flooding.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for Wairoa at 3:40am on the 8th and lasted until 4pm on the 14th. Another declaration was in place until 4:10pm on the 17th.
Two territorial soldiers were killed when a car plunged into the swollen Wairoa River.
The flood in the Wairoa River had a preliminary return period of more than 12 years.
Wairoa insurance losses totalled $3,790,000 in 1991 ($5,549,000 2008 dollars), excluding the Earthquake Commission.
Flooding
at
Whanawhana station
The flood in the Ngaruroro River at Whanawhana had a preliminary return period of 20 years.
Flooding
at
Whirinaki
Water from the Esk River flooded the camping ground, Beck House and the Whirinaki water intake.
The flood waters closed State Highway 2, Tait Road and the Napier/Taupo Road.
Taranaki
Multi Hazard
at
Taranaki
Weather forecast for Taranaki on the 8th: "Southeast winds up to severe gales in many places, cloudy with scattered rain, Bell Block southeasterlies to 62 knots."
Taranaki was battered by the storm on the 7th and 8th.
High Wind / Gust
Hundreds of houses were severely damaged. More than 50 houses lost their roofs, 439 houses were badly damaged, and a number were uninhabitable. Several houses and buildings suffered structural damage.
Glasshouses were blown out. A reserves storage shed suffered serious damage, with the roller door blown in, the roof blown off and windows blown out. An estimated 10,000 trees were downed, 54 km of fencing destroyed, 90 haybarns and 30 dairy sheds severely damaged or destroyed and 40 houses affected.
Winds blowing at more than 65 knots (120 km/hr) continued for 24 hours.
All schools in North Taranaki and most shops were closed.
Some roads were closed. State Highway 45 south of New Plymouth was closed from Omata to Okato.
Parks and reserves, including Pukekura Park and Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, were severely damaged.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the North Taranaki Combined CD District at 6:10am on the 8th and lasted until 7:00am on the 10th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Egmont County at 10:06am on the 8th and lasted until 4:53pm on the 10th.
A man was injured when he fell from a roof received. He received two broken ankles, a broken hip and a sprained back. Two other people were taken to hospital after being blown over.
There were several reports of cars being blown off roads.
Power was cut in isolated areas throughout the province due to trees being blown on to power lines, lines being blown down, and roofing iron cutting lines.
Burning power poles were a major problem in South Taranaki, as salt blown by the wind built up on the pole cross arms and set the poles alight.
Cyclone damage to the east coast was unquestionably one of the worst storm damage situations ever seen.
Millions of dollars in cash crops were decimated. Between 30% and 50% of the export crops, valued at up to $1 million ($1,700,000 2008 dollars), were lost during Cyclone Bola. Scattered damage was done to kiwifruit crops, some having 100% loss, and there was considerable leaf loss of vines. Much of the crop was bruised and unsuitable for export, and a lot of shelter was lost. Tamarillo crops also suffered severely during the storm.
The damage to farms was well into the $10,000's, because many cowhseds were destroyed. Many pastures were also burned by salt spray.
Cyclone Bola caused more than $3.5 million ($5,960,000 2008 dollars) worth of damage along a 20-km stretch of coastal South Taranaki.
$1.2 m ($2,040,000 2008 dollars) of production was lost.
The roading repair bill from Cyclone Bola totalled $25 million ($42,600,000 2008 dollars).
An estimated 30% of all family property wiped out by the cyclone would be uninsured or seriously underinsured, with an estimated less than $300 million uninsured.
Taranaki insurance losses totalled $15,950,000 in 1991 ($23,352,000 2008 dollars), excluding Earthquake Commission claims.
Maritime / Coastal
Seas of up to 12.5 m were reported from Maui Tower.
The seas battered offshore oil rigs and the Maui A production platform.
Heavy Rain
Some water damage to buildings was reported, but nothing serious.
High Wind / Gust
at
Bell Block
Bell Block recorded average winds of 45 knots (83 km/hr).
Bell Block recorded wind gusts of up to 62 knots (115 km/hr).
High Wind / Gust
at
Hurford
Hurford Road Hall was lifted from its foundations and landed about a metre away. It was feared it would have to be demolished.
High Wind / Gust
at
New Plymouth
New Plymouth airport was closed on the 7th and 8th.
31 residents of New Plymouth Riverview Rest Home were evacuated after high winds tore the roof off a wing of the building.
High winds at the port flipped small diving vessels and blew over a temporary hut.
High Wind / Gust
at
Oakura
Oakura recorded a wind gust of 97 knots (180 km/hr).
The Oakura township was the worst hit, with houses completely collapsing, roofs being lifted and roofing iron flying though the air.
Oakura was the worst hit by power cuts.
Oakura was without water.
High Wind / Gust
at
Okato
South Oakato was isolated, with no telephone communications to New Plymouth.
Property damage occurred at Okato.
High Wind / Gust
at
Pungarehu
Nearly every farmer in the Rahotu and Pungarehu area had some damage to property.
High Wind / Gust
at
Rahotu
Nearly every farmer in the Rahotu and Pungarehu area had some damage to property.
High Wind / Gust
at
Warea
Warea was isolated, with no telephone communications to New Plymouth.
In the Warea sector the winds devastated more than $1.7 million ($2,900,000 2008 dollars) in an area 10 km wide .
Tasman-Nelson
Multi Hazard
at
Tasman-Nelson
The Tasman-Nelson region was lashed by the cyclone's tail on the 12th, with widespread heavy rain and high winds buffetting the region. The cyclone was reduced to deep depression.
Flooding
Several rivers flooded.
Surface flooding occurred on roads and some were closed.
Golden Bay was the worst hit by the deluge. Heavy rain hit the western ranges and caused flooding in Golden Bay.
Surface flooding occurred on low-lying farmland.
Heavy Rain
at
Aorere River
Rainfall was the heaviest in the Takaka and Aorere River catchments.
Heavy Rain
at
Bainham
Bainham recorded 182.5 mm (18.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Multi Hazard
at
Collingwood
Collingwood was cut off by road.
Heavy Rain
at
Riwaka
Riwaka recorded 150.3 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Takaka
Roads were closed by flood waters from the Takaka River. Motupipi Street in Takaka was closed and State Highway 60 on either side of town was closed.
Landslide
Several new slips came down on Takaka Hill, one slip covering most of the road on the Takaka side.
Flooding
at
Takaka River
Rainfall was the heaviest in the Takaka and Aorere river catchment
Flooding
at
Upper Takaka
State Highway 60 was closed at Upper Takaka, northwards.
Flooding
at
Waitapu
State Highway 60 was closed at Waitapu Bridge's Hollow, southwards.
References
- Bell, R.; Gorman, R. Overview of Weather and Coastal Hazards in the Northland Region - Part II: Coastal.
- Headline: Bay escapes full fury.
- The Bay of Plenty Times, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Four die in storm.
- The Bay of Plenty Times, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Police fear for yachtie.
- The Bay of Plenty Times, 8 March 1988.
- Brown, P.C.; Jones, S. Wind risk in the Bay of Plenty. Workshop on Wind damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- Carter P.C.S. Wind damage in Kinleith Forest - effects of Cyclone Bola. Workshop on Wind Damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests.
- Civil Defence Declarations Since 1 January 1963, Declared Civil Emergencies, 31 December 1999.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies, 31 December 1999, Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Environment Waikato. State of Emergency Declarations in the district since 1976.
- Gray, W. Overview of weather and coastal hazards in the Northland region, Part I: Weather hazards.
- Hawke's Bay Catchment Board, report on storm of 6-10 March 1988.
- Hawkes Bay Regional Council: www.hbrc.govt.nz.
- Insurance Councils, The Cost of Weather Losses, Claims history (Updated 2004).
- Johnston, D.D.; Pearse, L.J. (2007). Hazards in Hawke's Bay. Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier, New Zealand.
- Knowles, R.L.; Paton, V.J. The effect of final-crop stocking on wind damage at Tikitere. Workshop on Wind damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- Korte, C.J. (1989). The Effect of Cyclone Bola on Hill Country Farms in the Gisbourne-East Coast Region: Physical Damage, Government Assistance, Cash Flows, and Debt.
- Headline: Cyclone Bola.
- http://library.christchurch.org.nz.
- MCDEM, 2002.
- Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council. (1991). Takaka Flood Frequency, Maps and Newspapers, Reports of Historical Floods. Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council, pp.61.
- New, D. Accounting for New Zealand plantation's risk to wind damage - facing the facts. Workshop on Wind damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Frantic efforts to restore water.
- The Northern Advocate, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Bola cuts $10m swather of damage.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 March 1988.
- Rasmussen, J.H. Wind damage in Northland forests. Workshop on Wind Damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests, Ministry of Forestry, FRI Bulletin 146.
- Headline: $8m storm chaos bill.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Crop damage devastating.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Cyclone backlash kills 4.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Cyclone Bola.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Farm buildings demolished.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Soldiers die in cyclone's wake.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Standby water supply fails in Gisborne.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Storm special.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: The weather.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: Weathering the storm.
- Taranaki Herald, 8 March 1988.
- Headline: $3.5 m storm trail toll.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Civil defence in recovery phase.
- Taranaki Herald,.11 March 1988.
- Headline: Cyclone tail swipes Nelson.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Insurance crisis after storm.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Headline: Older roof nails proved better.
- Taranaki Herald, 11 March 1988.
- Taranaki Regional Council. Cyclone Bola Civil Defence Report.
- Turner, R.M. Canterbury plains and Lake Taupo forests. Workshop on Wind Damage in New Zealand Exotic Forests.