NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
May 1878 Southland Storm ( 1878-05-16 )
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
The telegraph line from Longbush (Southland) to Clinton (Otago) was down on the night of the 17th. Telegraphic communication between Dunedin and Invercargill was suspended.
Southland
Multi Hazard
at
Southland
Wretched weather prevailed throughout the day on the 17th. A tremendous southwest gale raged, with squalls of sleet and a deluge of rain.
The country around Gore was fearfully flooded for miles.
Telegraphic communication between Invercargill and Riverton was suspended and the line from Wallacetown was damaged.
Multi Hazard
at
Bluff
The weather at Bluff on the 17th was equally as bad or worse than that in Invercargill.
High Wind / Gust
A fearful southwest gale was blowing.
Maritime / Coastal
The gale raised a high sea that broke clean over the wharf at times.
Hail
There was a fairly heavy hail shower just before 10pm on the 16th.
The hailstorm lasted about 10 or 15 minutes.
Multi Hazard
at
Fairlight Station
The weather was somewhat different to that in Invercargill. It rained, but the wind was not so heavy and was from the northwest, tending to bring the snow down.
Flooding
The creeks and rivers were rising rapidly on the return to Invercargill.
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
From the 10th to the 14th, Gore had almost one continuous fall of rain.
Flooding
The creeks were flooded and in some places the low-lying flats were partly submerged.
The road from East Gore to Knapdale was a sea of mud and water.
Flooding
at
Invercargill
The New River Estuary was almost overflowing on the 17th. The Oreti and Waihopai rivers discharged immense volumes of water into it, which was backed up to a great height by a spring tide.
Flooding
at
Makarewa Junction
The Makarewa River was exceptionally high, being only 3 ft (91 cm) below the railway line, and still rising.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Tiwai Point
The barque Ann Gambles was wrecked at Tiwai Point on the night of the 16th after being driven on the rocks by a heavy squall.
Flooding
at
Waipahi
A section of the railway line, about a couple of miles on the other side of Waipahi, was washed away by the floods on the 16th. It was repaired by the next afternoon.
References
- Headline: Gore.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 1878.
- Headline: The weather and floods.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 1878.
- Headline: Wreck of the Ann Gambles.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 1878.
- Headline: Wreck inquiry.
- The Southland Times, 28 May 1878.
May 1878 Southland Storm ( 1878-05-16 )
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
The telegraph line from Longbush (Southland) to Clinton (Otago) was down on the night of the 17th. Telegraphic communication between Dunedin and Invercargill was suspended.
Southland
Multi Hazard
at
Southland
Wretched weather prevailed throughout the day on the 17th. A tremendous southwest gale raged, with squalls of sleet and a deluge of rain.
The country around Gore was fearfully flooded for miles.
Telegraphic communication between Invercargill and Riverton was suspended and the line from Wallacetown was damaged.
Multi Hazard
at
Bluff
The weather at Bluff on the 17th was equally as bad or worse than that in Invercargill.
High Wind / Gust
A fearful southwest gale was blowing.
Maritime / Coastal
The gale raised a high sea that broke clean over the wharf at times.
Hail
There was a fairly heavy hail shower just before 10pm on the 16th.
The hailstorm lasted about 10 or 15 minutes.
Multi Hazard
at
Fairlight Station
The weather was somewhat different to that in Invercargill. It rained, but the wind was not so heavy and was from the northwest, tending to bring the snow down.
Flooding
The creeks and rivers were rising rapidly on the return to Invercargill.
Heavy Rain
at
Gore
From the 10th to the 14th, Gore had almost one continuous fall of rain.
Flooding
The creeks were flooded and in some places the low-lying flats were partly submerged.
The road from East Gore to Knapdale was a sea of mud and water.
Flooding
at
Invercargill
The New River Estuary was almost overflowing on the 17th. The Oreti and Waihopai rivers discharged immense volumes of water into it, which was backed up to a great height by a spring tide.
Flooding
at
Makarewa Junction
The Makarewa River was exceptionally high, being only 3 ft (91 cm) below the railway line, and still rising.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Tiwai Point
The barque Ann Gambles was wrecked at Tiwai Point on the night of the 16th after being driven on the rocks by a heavy squall.
Flooding
at
Waipahi
A section of the railway line, about a couple of miles on the other side of Waipahi, was washed away by the floods on the 16th. It was repaired by the next afternoon.
References
- Headline: Gore.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 1878.
- Headline: The weather and floods.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 1878.
- Headline: Wreck of the Ann Gambles.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 1878.
- Headline: Wreck inquiry.
- The Southland Times, 28 May 1878.