NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
May 1928 Northland Flooding ( 1928-05-13 )
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 13th till the 15th of May.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 12th: "The indications are for northerly winds, moderate to strong, and freshening. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather shortly. The weather appears to be cloudy and unsettled, with rain following. The barometer is falling slowly. The seas will be moderate and increasing and the tides will be good."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 14th: "The indications are for northerly, moderate to strong, winds and in places strong to gale, later decreasing and backing by north to west. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled. Rain is probable. The barometer is rising slowly shortly. The seas will be rough and the tides good."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 15th: "The indications are for westerly winds, moderate to strong. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather mainly, but scattered showers at times. The barometer is rising slowly. The seas will be moderate and the tides good."
Flooding
Flooding occurred in most low-lying areas on the 12th.
Damage to roads in the Mangonui county totalled £1,000 ($84,200 2008 dollars).
Many people, houses and shops in Dominion roads were marooned by floodwaters.
Stock losses were reported to have been extensive in several districts.
Highways generally were impassable due to flooding.
There was flooding in the Edendale district.
Heavy Rain
at
Cape Maria Van Diemen
Cape Maria van Diemen recorded 4.42 in (11.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 3.08 in (7.8 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia experienced a storm that was without equal in the past 20 years.
Heavy Rain
Rain set in at Kaitaia on the afternoon of the 13th and continued throughout the night. Th rain ceased later in the day on the 14th.
Flooding
Kaitaia was invaded by flood waters. Residents along the main street were forced to leave their homes.
Early on the morning of the 14th, Commerce St, the main road, was like a raging river.
Houses were left with a slimy deposit.
High Wind / Gust
The rain was accompanied by a gale.
The gale caused damage to fences and outbuildings.
Heavy Rain
at
Kohukohu
Kohukohu recorded 6.00 in (15.2 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangakahia River
Rain fell in torrents in the Mangakahia area between 3am and daybreak on the 13th.
Flooding
There was extensive flooding in the Mangakahia district. A wall of water, the highest since 1917, swept down the valley from the direction of the Three Bridges. The flood subsided as quickly as it had risen.
Miles of fencing was swept away.
The flats were under water 16 ft (4.9 m) deep in places. On one farm a drowned sheep was found on the roof of the dairy.
One farmer estimated his property damage at £1200 ($101,000 2008 dollars).
One farmer had 500 sheep drowned as well as other stock. Another farmer had 32 prime beef cattle drowned.
Water entered houses in the area. A 2-ft (60-cm) diameter log was washed up on a verandah.
Multi Hazard
Allott's motor service could not get through to Whangarei from Kaikohe on the 14th and 15th. There were a number of slips in the Mangakahia Gorge and several culverts were washed away.
Flooding
at
Mangamuka
In the Mangamuka district several bridges were washed away.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangonui
Mangonui recorded 2.40 in (6.1 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Onerahi
On the night of the 13th, Onerahi experienced its heaviest downpour for years. Rain began to fall shortly after sundown, increasing in volume.
Lightning
Thunder was heard in the distance and lightning lit up the seaward sky.
Flooding
The flats were inundated on the morning of the 14th.
Deep channels were scored down the slopes where the flood waters had run.
Flooding
at
Oruru
In the Oruru area extensive damage was done to fences by the flood waters.
Heavy Rain
at
Ruatangata West
The works at Ruatangata registered 2.52 in (6.4 cm) of rain on the night of the 13th.
Flooding
The floods rose suddenly, and a steam navvy engaged in drainage works was covered with flood water. It would be some months before the dredge could be used again.
Heavy Rain
at
Russell
Russell recorded 3.58 in (9.1 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Tangiteroria
On the night of the 13th, Taylors Flat, near Tangiteroria was 9 ft (2.7 m) under water.
Service cars between Whangarei and Dargaville had to take an alternative route.
Flooding
at
Tangowahine
The Tangowahine district suffered the most severe flood (20 years).
Flooding
at
Victoria Valley
The traffic bridge at Victoria Valley (between Kaitaia and Mangamuka) was swept away, causing interruption to traffic.
Flooding
at
Waipoua Forest
The Waipoua Bridge was swept away.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairua Falls
Wairua Falls recorded 2.50 in (6.4 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Whangarei
Stormy weather was experienced in Whangarei on the 13th.
Heavy Rain
Whangarei recorded 2.22 in (5.6 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
Bad weather was experienced in Auckland on the 13th and 14th.
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland city
Auckland recorded 3.10 in (7.9 cm) of rain in 7.5 hours from 9pm on the 13th to 4:30am on the 14th - the heaviest fall for four years.
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 May 1928.
- Headline: Heavy storm: Northern inundation.
- The Northern Advocate, 14 May 1928.
- Headline: Local and general.
- The Northern Advocate, 14 May 1928.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 14 May 1928.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 15 May 1928.
- Headline: Local and general.
- The Northern Advocate, 16 May 1928.
- Headline: Onerahi news.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 May 1928.
- Headline: Overwhelming flood: Mangakahia district inundation.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 May 1928.
- Headline: Ruatangata news.
- The Northern Advocate, 18 May 1928.
May 1928 Northland Flooding ( 1928-05-13 )
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - From the 13th till the 15th of May.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 12th: "The indications are for northerly winds, moderate to strong, and freshening. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather shortly. The weather appears to be cloudy and unsettled, with rain following. The barometer is falling slowly. The seas will be moderate and increasing and the tides will be good."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 14th: "The indications are for northerly, moderate to strong, winds and in places strong to gale, later decreasing and backing by north to west. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled. Rain is probable. The barometer is rising slowly shortly. The seas will be rough and the tides good."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 15th: "The indications are for westerly winds, moderate to strong. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather mainly, but scattered showers at times. The barometer is rising slowly. The seas will be moderate and the tides good."
Flooding
Flooding occurred in most low-lying areas on the 12th.
Damage to roads in the Mangonui county totalled £1,000 ($84,200 2008 dollars).
Many people, houses and shops in Dominion roads were marooned by floodwaters.
Stock losses were reported to have been extensive in several districts.
Highways generally were impassable due to flooding.
There was flooding in the Edendale district.
Heavy Rain
at
Cape Maria Van Diemen
Cape Maria van Diemen recorded 4.42 in (11.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 3.08 in (7.8 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia experienced a storm that was without equal in the past 20 years.
Heavy Rain
Rain set in at Kaitaia on the afternoon of the 13th and continued throughout the night. Th rain ceased later in the day on the 14th.
Flooding
Kaitaia was invaded by flood waters. Residents along the main street were forced to leave their homes.
Early on the morning of the 14th, Commerce St, the main road, was like a raging river.
Houses were left with a slimy deposit.
High Wind / Gust
The rain was accompanied by a gale.
The gale caused damage to fences and outbuildings.
Heavy Rain
at
Kohukohu
Kohukohu recorded 6.00 in (15.2 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangakahia River
Rain fell in torrents in the Mangakahia area between 3am and daybreak on the 13th.
Flooding
There was extensive flooding in the Mangakahia district. A wall of water, the highest since 1917, swept down the valley from the direction of the Three Bridges. The flood subsided as quickly as it had risen.
Miles of fencing was swept away.
The flats were under water 16 ft (4.9 m) deep in places. On one farm a drowned sheep was found on the roof of the dairy.
One farmer estimated his property damage at £1200 ($101,000 2008 dollars).
One farmer had 500 sheep drowned as well as other stock. Another farmer had 32 prime beef cattle drowned.
Water entered houses in the area. A 2-ft (60-cm) diameter log was washed up on a verandah.
Multi Hazard
Allott's motor service could not get through to Whangarei from Kaikohe on the 14th and 15th. There were a number of slips in the Mangakahia Gorge and several culverts were washed away.
Flooding
at
Mangamuka
In the Mangamuka district several bridges were washed away.
Heavy Rain
at
Mangonui
Mangonui recorded 2.40 in (6.1 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Onerahi
On the night of the 13th, Onerahi experienced its heaviest downpour for years. Rain began to fall shortly after sundown, increasing in volume.
Lightning
Thunder was heard in the distance and lightning lit up the seaward sky.
Flooding
The flats were inundated on the morning of the 14th.
Deep channels were scored down the slopes where the flood waters had run.
Flooding
at
Oruru
In the Oruru area extensive damage was done to fences by the flood waters.
Heavy Rain
at
Ruatangata West
The works at Ruatangata registered 2.52 in (6.4 cm) of rain on the night of the 13th.
Flooding
The floods rose suddenly, and a steam navvy engaged in drainage works was covered with flood water. It would be some months before the dredge could be used again.
Heavy Rain
at
Russell
Russell recorded 3.58 in (9.1 cm) of rain.
Flooding
at
Tangiteroria
On the night of the 13th, Taylors Flat, near Tangiteroria was 9 ft (2.7 m) under water.
Service cars between Whangarei and Dargaville had to take an alternative route.
Flooding
at
Tangowahine
The Tangowahine district suffered the most severe flood (20 years).
Flooding
at
Victoria Valley
The traffic bridge at Victoria Valley (between Kaitaia and Mangamuka) was swept away, causing interruption to traffic.
Flooding
at
Waipoua Forest
The Waipoua Bridge was swept away.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairua Falls
Wairua Falls recorded 2.50 in (6.4 cm) of rain.
Multi Hazard
at
Whangarei
Stormy weather was experienced in Whangarei on the 13th.
Heavy Rain
Whangarei recorded 2.22 in (5.6 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
Bad weather was experienced in Auckland on the 13th and 14th.
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland city
Auckland recorded 3.10 in (7.9 cm) of rain in 7.5 hours from 9pm on the 13th to 4:30am on the 14th - the heaviest fall for four years.
References
- Cowie, C.A.; Attwood, A.K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 May 1928.
- Headline: Heavy storm: Northern inundation.
- The Northern Advocate, 14 May 1928.
- Headline: Local and general.
- The Northern Advocate, 14 May 1928.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 14 May 1928.
- Headline: The weather.
- The Northern Advocate, 15 May 1928.
- Headline: Local and general.
- The Northern Advocate, 16 May 1928.
- Headline: Onerahi news.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 May 1928.
- Headline: Overwhelming flood: Mangakahia district inundation.
- The Northern Advocate, 17 May 1928.
- Headline: Ruatangata news.
- The Northern Advocate, 18 May 1928.