A storm brought heavy rain, flooding, gales and heavy seas to much of the North Island.
Weather forecast for the 14th: A very intense cyclone is centered north of Cape Maria and is moving slowly southwards. Pressure is still high from Sydney to southern New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. Freshening east to north winds south of Greymouth and Kaikoura, elsewhere strong south-east to easterly winds to gales. Seas rough to heavy from Cook Strait northwards, considerable swell thence southwards on the East Coast, moderate on the west coast of the South Island. Strong south-easterly winds to gales and rough seas in the Eastern Tasman Sea. Weather unsettled and in places stormy from Nelson and Marlborough northwards, with rain. Many heavy falls with some floods in the northern rivers, later rain extending to other districts. Cold temperatures, with some frosts in the south.
Weather forecast for the 16th: The cyclone is still centered north of the Bay of Plenty, and has shown little change in intensity. A slight depression is situated in the south-west Tasman Sea. Strong south-east to south winds north of Greymouth and Kaikoura, reaching gale force in places, elsewhere moderate to fresh east to south winds. Seas heavy about Cook Strait and north of Kaikoura, moderate on the west coast of the South Island, rough elsewhere. Strong southerly winds to gales with rough seas in the eastern Tasman Sea. Weather still generally unsettled with rain and many heavy falls, especially in the Hawke's Bay and the central provinces, with further flooding. Cold temperatures, and snow at places in the South Island.
The cyclone responsible for the bad weather was moving away to the south-east on the 16th.
The heavy rain appeared to have been universal over the areas embracing the Coast, Poverty Bay, and down to Napier.
Telegraph and telephone services were interrupted. The lines from Northland to Auckland were badly affected on the 13th, mainly due to branches falling on the wires.
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 10th: "The indications are for southerly moderate winds to gale. The wether will probably prove squally and changeable with showery conditions, and it will probably become very cold. The barometer is rising. The seas will be rough and the tides moderate."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 11th: "The indications are for southerly moderate to strong winds and strong to gale at places. The weather will probably prove cold and changeable with scattered showers. The barometer is rising slowly and the seas will be rough and the tides moderate."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 14th: "The indications are for easterly winds, strong to gale. Thick, stormy weather, with heavy rain is to be expected, with rivers rising shortly. The temperatures will be cool. The barometer is falling slowly. Seas heavy and tides high."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 15th: "The indications are for southerly moderate to strong winds and strong to gale in places. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled with rain probable and cold temperatures. The barometer is rising slowly. The seas will be rough and the tides good."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 16th: "The indications are for southerly winds, varying from moderate to gale. The weather will probably prove cold and showery. The barometer is rising. The seas will be rough and tides good."
Northland was storm wracked after experiencing a violent gale and heavy rain.
Roads were blocked on all sides of the Kirikopuni-Pukehuia-Dargaville branch line.
Unstable buildings were blown away and trees were uprooted.
Telephone lines were interrupted and many poles were down.
On the east coast in the Whangarei district, flakes of froth as big as a man's hand were blown half a mile (800 m) inland from the sea, and beaches everywhere were littered.
Water was rising near the railway lines in some places, but none had been submerged on the 14th.
Approaches to bridges in the Whangarei district were affected. Various service cars were held up by flood waters.
The damage to roads in the Manaia Riding would probably total over £1000 ($84,900 2008 dollars).
The Dargaville Donnelly's train was cancelled due to flood waters.
Helena Bay was completely cut off by road after huge slips completely blocked the main road and the alternative Kaikanui route was blocked by fallen trees for two days.
There was flooding in the vicinity of the two main mines in Hikurangi. The Hikurangi Coal Company's mine ceased pumping on the 11th. The flood in the mine rose to over 70 ft (21.3 m) deep. Work at the Wilsons' mine was stopped at 2:30am on the 14th due to an inrush of water.
The creek along King St was in heavy flood, and overflowed across the street to a considerable depth on the morning of the 14th.
Two shops had their floors covered in several inches of water. One resident climbed out of bed into about 6 in (15 cm) of water at about 2am.
The whole of the Kaihu Valley was under water on the 15th.
In the Maungatapere area, several car sheds and a cow shed were blown down.
A fishing boat was driven ashore by fierce seas at Slippery Point, at the southern end of McLeod Bay, on the morning of the 12th. One man was swept overboard at one point but managed to clamber back on the boat. All on board eventually made it to shore, but the boat was considerably damaged on the rocks.
One of the men on board the boat said the sea in the harbour was the fiercest he had seen in 30 years' sailing.
On the night fo the 12th a "cyclonic squall" blew in the door of a house and then lifted its roof wide open, exposing the interior to the elements.
Flooding at Nukutawhiti made the road impassable.
The small landing jetty at Onerahi was smashed to pieces. Two dinghies were smashed and a launch was damaged when she was driven under the wharf. Other dinghies sunk at their moorings and debris and gear from boats was strewn on the beach.
At high tide the waves broke over the sea wall and damaged the roadway.
The wind blew from the south-east on the 11th, veered to east by north by that night and hardened into a gale. At times the winds were almost hurricane force.
Houses were shaken by the force of the wind.
The force of the wind blew the Harbour Board's heavy derrick a mile (1.2 km) from where it was heavily moored to near the Otaika settlement.
An 8 bedroom house on the beach at Paihia was blown down on the night of the 13th. The roof had begun to lift on the 12th.
The roof of the shelter shed at the Parua Bay No. 1 School was torn off and blown into a dip on the other side of the road.
The Government telephone line at Pipiwai was not working and four private lines were down.
A culvert was washed away at Dinsdale's corner on the Purua Road.
Ruatangata recorded 1.76 in (4.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
At Solomons Point, the surface of the road had completely sunk to a depth of 2 or 3 ft (60 or 90 cm).
Two launches had to anchor at Takahiwai on the afternoon of the 11th and, with people on board, were buffeted through the mudflats, then washed up on a mangrove island that night. The launches were left high above the tide level.
There were big floods at Tangiteroria.
The wharf was submerged on the 14th, and the township was isolated.
The Tangowahine flat was flooded.
Flooding at Titoki made the road impassable.
Residents at Tutukaka said the storm was the worst experienced since the Wiltshire was wrecked (May-June 1922).
The sea formed a new barrier at the foot of a home in Tutukaka.
Residents at Whananaki said the storm was the worst experienced since the Wiltshire was wrecked (May-June 1922).
A change set in on the evening of the 11th, and on the 12th a very stormy day developed. Heavy rain was accompanied by a strong south-easterly, which later became a howling gale. The conditions continued during the night and on the 13th. The weather was improving on the 14th, though still very wild. The weather was still unsettled on the 16th.
The storm at the weekend was generally recognised as the worst experienced for many years.
The barometer read 20.83 at 1:30pm on the 13th, after falling 19 points since 9am, and 40 points since the 12th. On the 14th, the barometer reached a low reading of 29.52.
The temperature was 57 degrees (13.9 degC) at 1pm on the 13th.
There were exceptionally strong winds in Whangarei on the morning of the 13th. The wind dropped considerably on the 14th.
Gardens were damaged, a few trees were blown down and one lady's umbrella was ripped to shreds. At a nursery on Mill Road, several panes were blown in at glasshouses and plants were damaged by the wind.
The borough electricity supply was cut on the morning of the 13th, leaving homes and businesses without power. The power was back on that night, but failed again at 11:30pm, for half an hour.
A by-road near the Maunu School was blocked when a pine tree fell across it from fence to fence.
Heavy rain fell in Whangarei all day on the 13th and on the night of the 14th.
Whangarei recorded 0.58 in (1.5 cm) of rain up to 9am on the 13th.
Whangarei recorded 2.17 in (5.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
Whangarei recorded 1/2 in (1.3 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 16th.
Kamo received 2.78 in (7.1 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
Low-lying land was flooded and all creeks were running high. 12 acres (0.05 km^2) of land between Morningside Road and the railway were flooded.
The flats near Provan's factory and the Whangarei Electric Laundry were under 1 ft (30 cm) of water.
The water did considerable damage to the concrete bridge on Pohe's flat. Part of Bank Street had a considerable quantity of the drainage excavation spoil washed over the road surface, leaving it very muddy. The stone embankment on the northern side of the Victoria Bridge had a large hole washed out.
There was lightning on the night of the 13th.
The spring tide on the 13th, backed up by the wind and flood waters, was the highest seen at the town wharf for many years.
At one point, the river stretched from in front of the Riverside Store on one bank to the Harbour Board buildings on the other side. Pohutukawa trees on the esplanade were covered and many jetties were lifted out of position.
The waves were 3 ft (90 cm) high at the town wharf.
A few launches broke their moorings and drifted. The sailing of the Claymore was delayed by one day.
The Pohe Island Reclamation was completely covered up to several feet deep by three successive tides. The force of the tide had broken through the stopbank in three places. When the wind died down the water simply disappeared.
The sea in the harbour was whipped into a frenzy on the 13th.
Seas rising to 12 ft (3.7 m) high were experienced in the harbour on the morning of the 13th. One man said the seas were the highest he had ever seen in the harbour.
Roads alongside the harbour had their embankments damaged and debris and timber deposited on them. There were numerous washouts.
The Great Barrier was isolated due to downed telegraph lines in the Coromandel.
A heavy gale raged on the Coromandel Pensinsula on the night of the 12th and on the 13th.
Telegraph and telephone lines were down from Cape Colville to Port Charles.
The seas were large.
A scow carrying 100 tons of coal broke her moorings at Coromandel wharf and was driven ashore at Ruffins Bay.
The launch Ngaru, with seven men on board, went missing on the 12th after setting off from Coromandel. The launch was washed ashore at Shakespeare's Bay, on the Whangaparaoa peninsula, at 2am on the 14th. The men were famished and exhausted after 36 hours in terrible seas. The launch was valued at £300 ($25,000 2008 dollars) and wireles equipment on board was worth £40 ($3,000 2008 dollars).
The seas were so large on the 13th that it was difficult to cross the harbour.
A large launch was wrecked at Kuaotunu on the morning of the 13th.
There was a heavy downpour on the night of the 13th and further heavy rain in parts on the 14th, following on intermittent rain during the few days earlier.
The rivers banked up to a high level, but during the day on the 14th the downpour lessened, as did the river levels.
Throughout the district there was flooding in low-lying paddocks. Large areas of the Poverty Bay flats were flooded. On the 15th slight overflows of the Waipaoa River occurred in places on the flats.
There was widespread damage to the east coast. No bridges in the Cook County were damaged to any extent.
The Waipaoa and Waimate Rivers were at high flood levels.
Many roads throughout the area were blocked by slips and washouts. Traffic up the Coast was blocked past Tolaga Bay. Motor traffic was completely cut off between Gisborne and Moutohora owing to flooding at Otoko. Communication between all the Coast townships was severed on the 15th, except between Ruatoria and Waipiro Bay. Normal services up the Coast road as far as Ruatoria were resumed on the 19th. Beyond Ruatoria the swollen streams were still completely barring traffic.
Cars had to be railed between Gisborne and Motuhora due to swollen streams and minor slips.
Some bridges were damaged. The Waimata and Hangaroa roads suffered badly.
Cook county main highways suffered £1390 ($117,900 2008 dollars) of damage and county roads £2000 ($169,700 2008 dollars) of damage - a total of £3390 ($287,600 2008 dollars).
7.5 in (19.1 cm) of rain was recorded in the Awatere Valley on the 15th.
3.05 in (7.7 cm) of rain fell in Gisborne in 24 hours.
A number of ditches and gutters in town failed, with subsequent flooding on footpaths and part of the roads.
In the harbour, "Goodman's Job" at the gap was seriously affected by the flood, with over 1000 ft (305 m) believed to have been damaged.
A 6-year-old girl was swept down the muddy waters of the Mangapapa creek for 300 yards (270 m) before being rescued. She was unconscious but was resuscitated.
Shipping was somewhat dislocated by the storm. Late on the night of the 16th two vessels were out at sea due to the heavy sea running in the harbour.
No mails were received from Hawke's Bay on the 14th or 15th.
The river was rising rapidly at Kaiteratahi on the evening of the 14th and the rain was still falling heavily.
There was considerable flooding of flats on the town side of the railway bridge. One resident said that the water reached a level at the bridge higher than for many years previously.
On the morning of the 14th, rain was falling steadily over the whole of the Mangatu Valley, which drains into the Waipaoa.
The silt from the Mangatuna river, some 5 or 6 miles (8.0-9.7 km) past Tolaga Bay, covered the road for some miles with silt to a depth of 3 or 4 ft (91-122 cm).
Some damage was done in connection with the new bridge that was being built over the Arai stream at Opou.
At Matawhero the river was running a banker on the evening of the 14th, and had been rising at the rate of about 6 in (15.2 cm) an hour.
Ngatapa was cut off from Gisborne on the 14th. The road was covered with some 3-4 ft (91-122 cm) of water in places.
The Mangateretere and Totangi creeks both overflowed and the paddocks on the old township flat were under water.
The river overflowed at the Ormond Dip (about 1/2 mile on the town side of the Ormond township) from the afternoon of the 14th.
Heavy rain fell at Otoko and surrounding districts.
Information from Rere shortly before midnight on the 14th indicated that a very heavy volume of water was coming down the river, with the rain falling in sheets.
1.25 in (3.2 cm) of rain fell in Te Karaka in 24 hours.
Owing to 5 ft (1.5 m) of water entering the Te Karaka tunnel, the train was held up.
The streams between Tokomaru Bay and Te Puia proved a barrier to traffic between those points.
The Maungahauini creek (River), outside Tokomaru Bay, was running high on the 16th.
A car became completely bogged at the Maungahauini Stream on the 17th and took 4-5 hours to remove.
Considerable flooding occuured about Tolaga Bay.
About noon on the 14th there was 8 ft (2.4 m) of water over the Mangatuna school bridge, with the river still rising and heavy rain falling.
At 5pm there was 18 in (45.7 cm) of water over Hall's Bridge.
The road was quite impassable. There were also a number of slips on the road.
At Waerengaahika, the river was reported to be rising at the rate of 3-4 in (7.6-10.2 cm) an hour at 9:30pm on the 14th. At that time it was 2 ft (61 cm) from the top of the bank. Shortly before midnight the river had risen another 6 in (15.2 cm).
On the afternoon of the 14th the Waimata River was about 20 ft (6.1 m) above normal at the Waimata Valley
Such a mass of driftwood had not been seen in the Waimata for many years. Large portions of trees, huge logs and smaller debris came down in astounding quantities.
At noon on the 14th, the stream at Wharekopai had almost reached the level attained during the "snow flood" of 1906 or 1907.
The road near Mr P. J. Roberts; homestead was practically covered by water. When Mr Roberts attempted to move his sheep along the road, a number of them were washed off the road and one of his dogs was drowned. Later, the rush of water on the road swept right over his car.
At Whatatutu, the Waipaoa River was reported to be filling the whole width of its bed at 9am and rising steadily at the rate of 9 or 10 in (23-25 cm) an hour.
There was steady and, at times, very heavy rain for two days on the 13th and 14th. The rain ceased on the 16th, although lighter rain returned that night.
The rainfall was heavy in the back country.
Three rivers broke their banks in 13 different places. The rivers fell rapidly on the 16th as the rain ceased. The Tukituki River and other streams throughout Central Hawke's Bay were in a highly swollen state. The flood waters had receded considerably around the district on the 18th, except at the Pakowhai road.
There was extensive and widespread flooding throughout the province on the 14th. The low-lying country near the rivers from Waipukurau in the south to nearly Wairoa in the north was inundated. The Fernhill, Raupare, Whakatu and Clive districts were the worst affected.
The roads in some places were impassable on the 14th, as a result of the overflows from creeks and the collection of surface water. The Napier-Wairoa road was impassable. The Taupo route was passable with caution on the 17th.
The railway line was under deep water between Napier and Hastings. In places it was 2 ft (61 cm) underwater. One rail bridge had not been uncovered for two days. Railway communication was resumed on the morning of the 16th.
The stock losses would run into several thousand sheep and many cattle drowned in the flood waters.
Bus and train services between Napier and Hastings were interrupted on the 15th.
For miles between Napier and Hastings, the waters spread in a desolate waste.
Most of the passengers marooned at Waikare returned to Wairoa on the 17th after a bridge over the big washout at the Wairoa end of Waikare had been completed.
A few horses and one cattle were known to have been washed away.
The amount of general damage reported was small, but isolated cases of loss of crops, etc., were coming to hand.
The floodwaters were within 2 ft (60 cm) of the height of the 1897 flood.
At Awatoto, silt-laden waters extended from the Tutaekuri River across a 92 acre block, Maraenui Rd and beyond the dump bridge.
The Ngaruroro River was spilling over at Clive.
Eskdale received 5.72 in (14.5 cm) of rain on the 14th.
Eskdale received 9.75 in (24.8 cm) of rain in 3 days.
At Eskdale, the Esk River rose within 3 ft (90cm) of the 1924 flood level.
The Ngaruroro River rose 12 ft (3.7 m) above normal at Fernhill on the 14th.
The Ngaruroro was 9 ft 6 in (2.9 m) above normal on the 15th.
The Ngaruroro River overflowed onto paddocks on the Moteo side.
Hastings recorded 4.5 in (11.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 15th.
Hastings recorded 1.51 in (3.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 15th.
Rain set in at Hastings on the 14th and continued heavily throughout the night, driven by a brisk south-east wind. Rain fell at times during the night of the 15th and it was showery on the morning of the 16th.
Rivers were running bank to bank and overflowing in places.
There was an immense area of low-lying land under water around Hastings.
Electric light failed at Havelock North on the 15th.
The Heretaunga plains were flooded.
The Karamu Stream overflowed onto the road at the bridge. There was 6 ft (1.2 m) of water over the Karamu bridge.
6.32 in (16.1 cm) of rain fell in Kotemaori on the 15th.
9.78 in (24.8 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara on the 14th.
9.73 in (24.7 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara in 24 hours on the 14th.
7.18 in (18.2 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara on the 15th.
9.26 in (23.5 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara in 24 hours on the 15th.
Maraetotara recorded 20.31 in (51.6 cm) of rain from the 13th till the 16th.
At Maraetotara the rainfall was a record for the past ten years.
The Papakura area was isolated. There was a blockage at Meeanee bridge on the afternoon of the 14th, where the Tutaekuri River had risen very high, causing the water to wash the decking and flow down the approaches to the hotel, store and a few other buildings situated there. The river also made breaches in three other places.
On the night of the 14th the Tutaekuri River had risen 12.5 ft (3.8 m) above normal at Meeanee. On the afternoon of the 15th it was 12 ft 9 in (3.9 m) above normal.
The river made a new course extending a few hundred yards.
The whole area extending from Meeanee to Clive was a sea of water.
A man (28 years old) was drowned after he fell into a breach in the riverbank at Meeanee whilst inspecting flood damage. The water was about 10 ft (3 m) deep where he fell and he could not swim.
The road from Meeanee bridge towards Awatoto was scoured and large quantities of silt were deposited in places.
One house was evacuated.
Napier recorded 2.5 in (6.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 15th.
Napier recorded 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 16th.
Considerable rain during the past 24 hours (13th-14th) had swollen the rivers.
The main road south became blocked during the night of the 14th, stopping traffic between Napier and Hastings from 9:30pm. Other roads were blocked the next morning. The main road south was open to traffic on the 17th, but some country by-roads were still covered up to 3 ft (90 cm) in places.
Water was reported to be up to the decking of the Redcliff bridge, where the Tutaekuri River overflowed.
The Tutaekuri River at Redcliff Bridge was 9 ft 4 in (2.8 m) on the 15th.
At the Redcliffe bridge the water rose to 11 ft (3.4 m).
The Ngaruroro River rose very rapidly overnight on the 14th and overflowed its banks on the 15th, flooding adjacent country.
Napier itself escaped flooding, but the farming districts surrounding it were hard hit.
Water extended from the ridge of land on the sea front to 5 or 6 miles (8.0-9.7 km) back.
No great loss of stock occurred owing to the ample warning given.
The mails for Napier were delayed owing to the express from Wellington being unable to get through.
A boy (8 years old) was drowned in the Tutaekuri River in Napier on the afternoon of the 22nd. He was playing in a launch when it overbalanced and he was swept downstream. The river at the time was swollen and dirty from the recent floods.
The inner harbour lagoon, extending across to Parke Is was greatly swollen by flood waters.
The Tutaekuri River changed its course.
High seas made it difficult for streams to get away.
On the night of the 15th the lands surrounding the Ngaruroro River were all under water. The waters had reached a higher level than in the last flood.
The Pakowhai district suffered heavy stock losses. One owner lost 150 lambs, another two lost 400 each, and another 300.
The Pakowhai area was isolated for a few days. The Pakowhai road was still blocked by flood waters on the 18th, although only by a short stretch.
Water surrounded a homestead at Pakowhai, with 30-40 acres (0.12-0.16 km2) of land covered by surface water.
Porangahau was reported to have heavy flooding and serious stock losses.
The Tutaekuri River rose 11 ft (3.3 m) at Puketapu.
Omaranui Rd was submerged at the dip, blocking all traffic.
5.83 in (14.8 cm) of rain fell in Pukatitiri on the 14th.
5.38 in (13.7 cm) of rain fell in Pukatitiri on the 15th.
The inland road at Rissington was blocked when a low level bridge became submerged.
6.10 in (15.5 cm) of rain fell in Rissington on the 14th.
Takapau was reported to have heavy flooding and serious stock losses.
Traffic between Gisborne and Napier was held up at Tangoio ford, where the stream had become a raging torrent. On the 14th, 30 passengers in 13 service cars plus two trucks were held up there all night by the impassable stream ahead and a slip behind them. They were rescued the next morning. The road was still impassable on the 16th.
The Tukituki River rose 12 ft (3.7 m) at Te Mata on the 14th.
Tikokino was reported to have heavy flooding and serious stock losses.
5.93 in (15.1 cm) of rain fell in Tutira on the 14th.
5.60 in (14.2 cm) of rain fell in Tutira on the 15th.
Hundreds of acres on either side of Raupere Rd were underwater and two houses were isolated.
One house was flooded with 2ft 6 in (76 cm) of water.
50 service car passengers were marooned at Waikari, 40 miles from Napier.
In the Waipara area, all the major roads and bridges were closed to all traffic on the 16th. One concrete bridge subsided.
Waipukarau had 36 hours of steady rain.
The Tukituki River was higher than had been for many years, and it overflowed in many places. It was still rising on the 16th.
Low-lying areas were inundated and part of the Waipukurau racecourse was flooded.
Several people were evacuated as water entered houses.
The Waipukurau borough septic tank was inundated.
Not since 1916 had the flood conditions in the district been so severe. Residents of 30 years said they had never experienced such a flood.
There was 4 ft (1.2 m) of water over the road at Waitangi.
Whanawhana recorded 5.73 in (14.6 cm) of rain in 17 hours from 4pm on the 14th to 9am on the 15th.
1.5 in (3.8 cm) of rain fell in Whanawhana in 24 hours on the 15th.
A severe gale devastated the New Plymouth district from the 14th till the 16th.
Many windows, fences and chimneys were damaged. A house in town was partly unroofed at 12:30am on the 16th, forcing the family to vacate the it.
The debris from the house carried away electric wires in the street, dislocating the tram service on the morning of the 16th.
On the morning of the 16th a launch was smahsed against the wharf and another sunk at its moorings.
There was a rapid rise in the Manawatu River on the 15th following the heavy rain in Hawke's Bay. The River Board's gauge showed a rise from 5 ft (1.5 m) on the 15th to nearly 14 ft (4.3 m) at 2am on the 16th.
The Pohangina River was in heavy flood and caused considerable damage.
The Oroua River was in high flood due to rain in the back country and the backing up of the Manawatu River, and it broke its banks early on the morning of the 16th.
The Foxton-Shannon and Foxton-Palmerston North roads were blocked by flood waters on the 14th.
The train was unable to leave Foxton on the morning of the 16th due to a washout near Rangitane.
A washout occurred on the Komaka bridge approaches over the Pohangina River.
Low-lying lands were flooded.
The Manawatu River was spilling into Moutoa on the 16th.
There was a washout on the Napier-Palmerston North road at Norsewood on the 15th.
Heavy rain in Palmerston North was accompanied by heavy winds.
Two lines were down at 8pm on the 15th.
The Manawatu River was 13.7 ft (4.18 m) above normal at 10pm on the 15th.
The Manawatu River had a peak discharge of 5700 cumecs at the Fitzherbert Bridge.
The Manawatu River rose to 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) at the Fitzherbert Bridge gauge.
Residents of Rangiotu were forced to evacuate their homes due to the danger of a further rise in the Oroua River.
The railway line to Foxton was under water and services were suspended.
Water on the railway line was up to 18 in (46 cm) deep and the tops of fences were not visible.
The Manawatu River overflowed its banks in the vicinity of Tiakatahuna.
The main road to Foxton was covered to a depth of 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) in places.
An area of land of approximately 10,000 acres (40.5 km^2) was covered with water, and pasture was damaged.
The body of a man (30-35 years old) was found on the riverbank at Tiakitahuna on the 20th. It was belived that he had been drowned and the body carried there by the flood.
Heavy rainfall caused a rapid rise in the rivers throughout the Wairarapa district.
Settlers at Kokotau, Dalefield and Matarawa were surrounded by flood waters. The waters were receding rapidly on the 16th as the weather cleared.
Dairy farmers experienced difficulty in getting milk to the factories.
Creeks in the upper plain district overflowed, causing inconvenience to settlers and road traffic.
Heavy stock losses were reported.
The Waiohine River overflowed on to the main highway, causing difficulty for traffic.
The worst damage reported was at Hinakura, where one of the four Dawson bridges over the Pahaoa River, Bush Gully bridge, which was 300 ft long, collapsed. Traffic to Bush Gully and beyond was completely cut off.
The flood in the Pahaoa River was the highest experienced for 20 years.
Many washouts and slips occurred in that district.
It was reported that 3 chains (60 m) of an uncompleted stopbank at Kahutara burst at 3pm on the 16th. Much low-lying country was flooded.
The South Wairarapa districts around Wairarapa Lake in the vicinity of Ruamahanga River were flooded on the 16th.
Langdale received 5.25 in (13.3 cm) of rain.
Heavy rain fell at Masterton on the 14th and 15th.
Masterton received over 3 in (7.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Rivers were flooded and low-lying land was inundated.
Stronvar received 6.56 in (16.7 cm) of rain.
It appeared that the heaviest rise in the rivers took place around Tinui.
The river at the back of the Castlepoint County Office was in high flood on the morning of the 15th and by noon a large area was under water. The office was inundated by flood waters and the clerk's dwelling house was also flooded. Other houses in the vicinity were also invaded by the rising waters.
Some houses had to be evacuated.
The county office was flooded to a depth of 6 in (15 cm).
At Tinui, the sudden rise of the river came as a surprise to settlers before sheep could be removed.
The main street in Tinui was flooded up to 3 ft (90 cm) by the Whareama River.
They were the worst floods experienced at Tinui for more than 20 years.
Tinui received 4.03 in (10.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
A storm brought heavy rain, flooding, gales and heavy seas to much of the North Island.
Weather forecast for the 14th: A very intense cyclone is centered north of Cape Maria and is moving slowly southwards. Pressure is still high from Sydney to southern New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. Freshening east to north winds south of Greymouth and Kaikoura, elsewhere strong south-east to easterly winds to gales. Seas rough to heavy from Cook Strait northwards, considerable swell thence southwards on the East Coast, moderate on the west coast of the South Island. Strong south-easterly winds to gales and rough seas in the Eastern Tasman Sea. Weather unsettled and in places stormy from Nelson and Marlborough northwards, with rain. Many heavy falls with some floods in the northern rivers, later rain extending to other districts. Cold temperatures, with some frosts in the south.
Weather forecast for the 16th: The cyclone is still centered north of the Bay of Plenty, and has shown little change in intensity. A slight depression is situated in the south-west Tasman Sea. Strong south-east to south winds north of Greymouth and Kaikoura, reaching gale force in places, elsewhere moderate to fresh east to south winds. Seas heavy about Cook Strait and north of Kaikoura, moderate on the west coast of the South Island, rough elsewhere. Strong southerly winds to gales with rough seas in the eastern Tasman Sea. Weather still generally unsettled with rain and many heavy falls, especially in the Hawke's Bay and the central provinces, with further flooding. Cold temperatures, and snow at places in the South Island.
The cyclone responsible for the bad weather was moving away to the south-east on the 16th.
The heavy rain appeared to have been universal over the areas embracing the Coast, Poverty Bay, and down to Napier.
Telegraph and telephone services were interrupted. The lines from Northland to Auckland were badly affected on the 13th, mainly due to branches falling on the wires.
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 10th: "The indications are for southerly moderate winds to gale. The wether will probably prove squally and changeable with showery conditions, and it will probably become very cold. The barometer is rising. The seas will be rough and the tides moderate."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 11th: "The indications are for southerly moderate to strong winds and strong to gale at places. The weather will probably prove cold and changeable with scattered showers. The barometer is rising slowly and the seas will be rough and the tides moderate."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 14th: "The indications are for easterly winds, strong to gale. Thick, stormy weather, with heavy rain is to be expected, with rivers rising shortly. The temperatures will be cool. The barometer is falling slowly. Seas heavy and tides high."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 15th: "The indications are for southerly moderate to strong winds and strong to gale in places. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled with rain probable and cold temperatures. The barometer is rising slowly. The seas will be rough and the tides good."
Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9am on the 16th: "The indications are for southerly winds, varying from moderate to gale. The weather will probably prove cold and showery. The barometer is rising. The seas will be rough and tides good."
Northland was storm wracked after experiencing a violent gale and heavy rain.
Roads were blocked on all sides of the Kirikopuni-Pukehuia-Dargaville branch line.
Unstable buildings were blown away and trees were uprooted.
Telephone lines were interrupted and many poles were down.
On the east coast in the Whangarei district, flakes of froth as big as a man's hand were blown half a mile (800 m) inland from the sea, and beaches everywhere were littered.
Water was rising near the railway lines in some places, but none had been submerged on the 14th.
Approaches to bridges in the Whangarei district were affected. Various service cars were held up by flood waters.
The damage to roads in the Manaia Riding would probably total over £1000 ($84,900 2008 dollars).
The Dargaville Donnelly's train was cancelled due to flood waters.
Helena Bay was completely cut off by road after huge slips completely blocked the main road and the alternative Kaikanui route was blocked by fallen trees for two days.
There was flooding in the vicinity of the two main mines in Hikurangi. The Hikurangi Coal Company's mine ceased pumping on the 11th. The flood in the mine rose to over 70 ft (21.3 m) deep. Work at the Wilsons' mine was stopped at 2:30am on the 14th due to an inrush of water.
The creek along King St was in heavy flood, and overflowed across the street to a considerable depth on the morning of the 14th.
Two shops had their floors covered in several inches of water. One resident climbed out of bed into about 6 in (15 cm) of water at about 2am.
The whole of the Kaihu Valley was under water on the 15th.
In the Maungatapere area, several car sheds and a cow shed were blown down.
A fishing boat was driven ashore by fierce seas at Slippery Point, at the southern end of McLeod Bay, on the morning of the 12th. One man was swept overboard at one point but managed to clamber back on the boat. All on board eventually made it to shore, but the boat was considerably damaged on the rocks.
One of the men on board the boat said the sea in the harbour was the fiercest he had seen in 30 years' sailing.
On the night fo the 12th a "cyclonic squall" blew in the door of a house and then lifted its roof wide open, exposing the interior to the elements.
Flooding at Nukutawhiti made the road impassable.
The small landing jetty at Onerahi was smashed to pieces. Two dinghies were smashed and a launch was damaged when she was driven under the wharf. Other dinghies sunk at their moorings and debris and gear from boats was strewn on the beach.
At high tide the waves broke over the sea wall and damaged the roadway.
The wind blew from the south-east on the 11th, veered to east by north by that night and hardened into a gale. At times the winds were almost hurricane force.
Houses were shaken by the force of the wind.
The force of the wind blew the Harbour Board's heavy derrick a mile (1.2 km) from where it was heavily moored to near the Otaika settlement.
An 8 bedroom house on the beach at Paihia was blown down on the night of the 13th. The roof had begun to lift on the 12th.
The roof of the shelter shed at the Parua Bay No. 1 School was torn off and blown into a dip on the other side of the road.
The Government telephone line at Pipiwai was not working and four private lines were down.
A culvert was washed away at Dinsdale's corner on the Purua Road.
Ruatangata recorded 1.76 in (4.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
At Solomons Point, the surface of the road had completely sunk to a depth of 2 or 3 ft (60 or 90 cm).
Two launches had to anchor at Takahiwai on the afternoon of the 11th and, with people on board, were buffeted through the mudflats, then washed up on a mangrove island that night. The launches were left high above the tide level.
There were big floods at Tangiteroria.
The wharf was submerged on the 14th, and the township was isolated.
The Tangowahine flat was flooded.
Flooding at Titoki made the road impassable.
Residents at Tutukaka said the storm was the worst experienced since the Wiltshire was wrecked (May-June 1922).
The sea formed a new barrier at the foot of a home in Tutukaka.
Residents at Whananaki said the storm was the worst experienced since the Wiltshire was wrecked (May-June 1922).
A change set in on the evening of the 11th, and on the 12th a very stormy day developed. Heavy rain was accompanied by a strong south-easterly, which later became a howling gale. The conditions continued during the night and on the 13th. The weather was improving on the 14th, though still very wild. The weather was still unsettled on the 16th.
The storm at the weekend was generally recognised as the worst experienced for many years.
The barometer read 20.83 at 1:30pm on the 13th, after falling 19 points since 9am, and 40 points since the 12th. On the 14th, the barometer reached a low reading of 29.52.
The temperature was 57 degrees (13.9 degC) at 1pm on the 13th.
There were exceptionally strong winds in Whangarei on the morning of the 13th. The wind dropped considerably on the 14th.
Gardens were damaged, a few trees were blown down and one lady's umbrella was ripped to shreds. At a nursery on Mill Road, several panes were blown in at glasshouses and plants were damaged by the wind.
The borough electricity supply was cut on the morning of the 13th, leaving homes and businesses without power. The power was back on that night, but failed again at 11:30pm, for half an hour.
A by-road near the Maunu School was blocked when a pine tree fell across it from fence to fence.
Heavy rain fell in Whangarei all day on the 13th and on the night of the 14th.
Whangarei recorded 0.58 in (1.5 cm) of rain up to 9am on the 13th.
Whangarei recorded 2.17 in (5.5 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
Whangarei recorded 1/2 in (1.3 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 16th.
Kamo received 2.78 in (7.1 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 14th.
Low-lying land was flooded and all creeks were running high. 12 acres (0.05 km^2) of land between Morningside Road and the railway were flooded.
The flats near Provan's factory and the Whangarei Electric Laundry were under 1 ft (30 cm) of water.
The water did considerable damage to the concrete bridge on Pohe's flat. Part of Bank Street had a considerable quantity of the drainage excavation spoil washed over the road surface, leaving it very muddy. The stone embankment on the northern side of the Victoria Bridge had a large hole washed out.
There was lightning on the night of the 13th.
The spring tide on the 13th, backed up by the wind and flood waters, was the highest seen at the town wharf for many years.
At one point, the river stretched from in front of the Riverside Store on one bank to the Harbour Board buildings on the other side. Pohutukawa trees on the esplanade were covered and many jetties were lifted out of position.
The waves were 3 ft (90 cm) high at the town wharf.
A few launches broke their moorings and drifted. The sailing of the Claymore was delayed by one day.
The Pohe Island Reclamation was completely covered up to several feet deep by three successive tides. The force of the tide had broken through the stopbank in three places. When the wind died down the water simply disappeared.
The sea in the harbour was whipped into a frenzy on the 13th.
Seas rising to 12 ft (3.7 m) high were experienced in the harbour on the morning of the 13th. One man said the seas were the highest he had ever seen in the harbour.
Roads alongside the harbour had their embankments damaged and debris and timber deposited on them. There were numerous washouts.
The Great Barrier was isolated due to downed telegraph lines in the Coromandel.
A heavy gale raged on the Coromandel Pensinsula on the night of the 12th and on the 13th.
Telegraph and telephone lines were down from Cape Colville to Port Charles.
The seas were large.
A scow carrying 100 tons of coal broke her moorings at Coromandel wharf and was driven ashore at Ruffins Bay.
The launch Ngaru, with seven men on board, went missing on the 12th after setting off from Coromandel. The launch was washed ashore at Shakespeare's Bay, on the Whangaparaoa peninsula, at 2am on the 14th. The men were famished and exhausted after 36 hours in terrible seas. The launch was valued at £300 ($25,000 2008 dollars) and wireles equipment on board was worth £40 ($3,000 2008 dollars).
The seas were so large on the 13th that it was difficult to cross the harbour.
A large launch was wrecked at Kuaotunu on the morning of the 13th.
There was a heavy downpour on the night of the 13th and further heavy rain in parts on the 14th, following on intermittent rain during the few days earlier.
The rivers banked up to a high level, but during the day on the 14th the downpour lessened, as did the river levels.
Throughout the district there was flooding in low-lying paddocks. Large areas of the Poverty Bay flats were flooded. On the 15th slight overflows of the Waipaoa River occurred in places on the flats.
There was widespread damage to the east coast. No bridges in the Cook County were damaged to any extent.
The Waipaoa and Waimate Rivers were at high flood levels.
Many roads throughout the area were blocked by slips and washouts. Traffic up the Coast was blocked past Tolaga Bay. Motor traffic was completely cut off between Gisborne and Moutohora owing to flooding at Otoko. Communication between all the Coast townships was severed on the 15th, except between Ruatoria and Waipiro Bay. Normal services up the Coast road as far as Ruatoria were resumed on the 19th. Beyond Ruatoria the swollen streams were still completely barring traffic.
Cars had to be railed between Gisborne and Motuhora due to swollen streams and minor slips.
Some bridges were damaged. The Waimata and Hangaroa roads suffered badly.
Cook county main highways suffered £1390 ($117,900 2008 dollars) of damage and county roads £2000 ($169,700 2008 dollars) of damage - a total of £3390 ($287,600 2008 dollars).
7.5 in (19.1 cm) of rain was recorded in the Awatere Valley on the 15th.
3.05 in (7.7 cm) of rain fell in Gisborne in 24 hours.
A number of ditches and gutters in town failed, with subsequent flooding on footpaths and part of the roads.
In the harbour, "Goodman's Job" at the gap was seriously affected by the flood, with over 1000 ft (305 m) believed to have been damaged.
A 6-year-old girl was swept down the muddy waters of the Mangapapa creek for 300 yards (270 m) before being rescued. She was unconscious but was resuscitated.
Shipping was somewhat dislocated by the storm. Late on the night of the 16th two vessels were out at sea due to the heavy sea running in the harbour.
No mails were received from Hawke's Bay on the 14th or 15th.
The river was rising rapidly at Kaiteratahi on the evening of the 14th and the rain was still falling heavily.
There was considerable flooding of flats on the town side of the railway bridge. One resident said that the water reached a level at the bridge higher than for many years previously.
On the morning of the 14th, rain was falling steadily over the whole of the Mangatu Valley, which drains into the Waipaoa.
The silt from the Mangatuna river, some 5 or 6 miles (8.0-9.7 km) past Tolaga Bay, covered the road for some miles with silt to a depth of 3 or 4 ft (91-122 cm).
Some damage was done in connection with the new bridge that was being built over the Arai stream at Opou.
At Matawhero the river was running a banker on the evening of the 14th, and had been rising at the rate of about 6 in (15.2 cm) an hour.
Ngatapa was cut off from Gisborne on the 14th. The road was covered with some 3-4 ft (91-122 cm) of water in places.
The Mangateretere and Totangi creeks both overflowed and the paddocks on the old township flat were under water.
The river overflowed at the Ormond Dip (about 1/2 mile on the town side of the Ormond township) from the afternoon of the 14th.
Heavy rain fell at Otoko and surrounding districts.
Information from Rere shortly before midnight on the 14th indicated that a very heavy volume of water was coming down the river, with the rain falling in sheets.
1.25 in (3.2 cm) of rain fell in Te Karaka in 24 hours.
Owing to 5 ft (1.5 m) of water entering the Te Karaka tunnel, the train was held up.
The streams between Tokomaru Bay and Te Puia proved a barrier to traffic between those points.
The Maungahauini creek (River), outside Tokomaru Bay, was running high on the 16th.
A car became completely bogged at the Maungahauini Stream on the 17th and took 4-5 hours to remove.
Considerable flooding occuured about Tolaga Bay.
About noon on the 14th there was 8 ft (2.4 m) of water over the Mangatuna school bridge, with the river still rising and heavy rain falling.
At 5pm there was 18 in (45.7 cm) of water over Hall's Bridge.
The road was quite impassable. There were also a number of slips on the road.
At Waerengaahika, the river was reported to be rising at the rate of 3-4 in (7.6-10.2 cm) an hour at 9:30pm on the 14th. At that time it was 2 ft (61 cm) from the top of the bank. Shortly before midnight the river had risen another 6 in (15.2 cm).
On the afternoon of the 14th the Waimata River was about 20 ft (6.1 m) above normal at the Waimata Valley
Such a mass of driftwood had not been seen in the Waimata for many years. Large portions of trees, huge logs and smaller debris came down in astounding quantities.
At noon on the 14th, the stream at Wharekopai had almost reached the level attained during the "snow flood" of 1906 or 1907.
The road near Mr P. J. Roberts; homestead was practically covered by water. When Mr Roberts attempted to move his sheep along the road, a number of them were washed off the road and one of his dogs was drowned. Later, the rush of water on the road swept right over his car.
At Whatatutu, the Waipaoa River was reported to be filling the whole width of its bed at 9am and rising steadily at the rate of 9 or 10 in (23-25 cm) an hour.
There was steady and, at times, very heavy rain for two days on the 13th and 14th. The rain ceased on the 16th, although lighter rain returned that night.
The rainfall was heavy in the back country.
Three rivers broke their banks in 13 different places. The rivers fell rapidly on the 16th as the rain ceased. The Tukituki River and other streams throughout Central Hawke's Bay were in a highly swollen state. The flood waters had receded considerably around the district on the 18th, except at the Pakowhai road.
There was extensive and widespread flooding throughout the province on the 14th. The low-lying country near the rivers from Waipukurau in the south to nearly Wairoa in the north was inundated. The Fernhill, Raupare, Whakatu and Clive districts were the worst affected.
The roads in some places were impassable on the 14th, as a result of the overflows from creeks and the collection of surface water. The Napier-Wairoa road was impassable. The Taupo route was passable with caution on the 17th.
The railway line was under deep water between Napier and Hastings. In places it was 2 ft (61 cm) underwater. One rail bridge had not been uncovered for two days. Railway communication was resumed on the morning of the 16th.
The stock losses would run into several thousand sheep and many cattle drowned in the flood waters.
Bus and train services between Napier and Hastings were interrupted on the 15th.
For miles between Napier and Hastings, the waters spread in a desolate waste.
Most of the passengers marooned at Waikare returned to Wairoa on the 17th after a bridge over the big washout at the Wairoa end of Waikare had been completed.
A few horses and one cattle were known to have been washed away.
The amount of general damage reported was small, but isolated cases of loss of crops, etc., were coming to hand.
The floodwaters were within 2 ft (60 cm) of the height of the 1897 flood.
At Awatoto, silt-laden waters extended from the Tutaekuri River across a 92 acre block, Maraenui Rd and beyond the dump bridge.
The Ngaruroro River was spilling over at Clive.
Eskdale received 5.72 in (14.5 cm) of rain on the 14th.
Eskdale received 9.75 in (24.8 cm) of rain in 3 days.
At Eskdale, the Esk River rose within 3 ft (90cm) of the 1924 flood level.
The Ngaruroro River rose 12 ft (3.7 m) above normal at Fernhill on the 14th.
The Ngaruroro was 9 ft 6 in (2.9 m) above normal on the 15th.
The Ngaruroro River overflowed onto paddocks on the Moteo side.
Hastings recorded 4.5 in (11.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 15th.
Hastings recorded 1.51 in (3.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 15th.
Rain set in at Hastings on the 14th and continued heavily throughout the night, driven by a brisk south-east wind. Rain fell at times during the night of the 15th and it was showery on the morning of the 16th.
Rivers were running bank to bank and overflowing in places.
There was an immense area of low-lying land under water around Hastings.
Electric light failed at Havelock North on the 15th.
The Heretaunga plains were flooded.
The Karamu Stream overflowed onto the road at the bridge. There was 6 ft (1.2 m) of water over the Karamu bridge.
6.32 in (16.1 cm) of rain fell in Kotemaori on the 15th.
9.78 in (24.8 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara on the 14th.
9.73 in (24.7 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara in 24 hours on the 14th.
7.18 in (18.2 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara on the 15th.
9.26 in (23.5 cm) of rain fell in Maraetotara in 24 hours on the 15th.
Maraetotara recorded 20.31 in (51.6 cm) of rain from the 13th till the 16th.
At Maraetotara the rainfall was a record for the past ten years.
The Papakura area was isolated. There was a blockage at Meeanee bridge on the afternoon of the 14th, where the Tutaekuri River had risen very high, causing the water to wash the decking and flow down the approaches to the hotel, store and a few other buildings situated there. The river also made breaches in three other places.
On the night of the 14th the Tutaekuri River had risen 12.5 ft (3.8 m) above normal at Meeanee. On the afternoon of the 15th it was 12 ft 9 in (3.9 m) above normal.
The river made a new course extending a few hundred yards.
The whole area extending from Meeanee to Clive was a sea of water.
A man (28 years old) was drowned after he fell into a breach in the riverbank at Meeanee whilst inspecting flood damage. The water was about 10 ft (3 m) deep where he fell and he could not swim.
The road from Meeanee bridge towards Awatoto was scoured and large quantities of silt were deposited in places.
One house was evacuated.
Napier recorded 2.5 in (6.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 15th.
Napier recorded 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 16th.
Considerable rain during the past 24 hours (13th-14th) had swollen the rivers.
The main road south became blocked during the night of the 14th, stopping traffic between Napier and Hastings from 9:30pm. Other roads were blocked the next morning. The main road south was open to traffic on the 17th, but some country by-roads were still covered up to 3 ft (90 cm) in places.
Water was reported to be up to the decking of the Redcliff bridge, where the Tutaekuri River overflowed.
The Tutaekuri River at Redcliff Bridge was 9 ft 4 in (2.8 m) on the 15th.
At the Redcliffe bridge the water rose to 11 ft (3.4 m).
The Ngaruroro River rose very rapidly overnight on the 14th and overflowed its banks on the 15th, flooding adjacent country.
Napier itself escaped flooding, but the farming districts surrounding it were hard hit.
Water extended from the ridge of land on the sea front to 5 or 6 miles (8.0-9.7 km) back.
No great loss of stock occurred owing to the ample warning given.
The mails for Napier were delayed owing to the express from Wellington being unable to get through.
A boy (8 years old) was drowned in the Tutaekuri River in Napier on the afternoon of the 22nd. He was playing in a launch when it overbalanced and he was swept downstream. The river at the time was swollen and dirty from the recent floods.
The inner harbour lagoon, extending across to Parke Is was greatly swollen by flood waters.
The Tutaekuri River changed its course.
High seas made it difficult for streams to get away.
On the night of the 15th the lands surrounding the Ngaruroro River were all under water. The waters had reached a higher level than in the last flood.
The Pakowhai district suffered heavy stock losses. One owner lost 150 lambs, another two lost 400 each, and another 300.
The Pakowhai area was isolated for a few days. The Pakowhai road was still blocked by flood waters on the 18th, although only by a short stretch.
Water surrounded a homestead at Pakowhai, with 30-40 acres (0.12-0.16 km2) of land covered by surface water.
Porangahau was reported to have heavy flooding and serious stock losses.
The Tutaekuri River rose 11 ft (3.3 m) at Puketapu.
Omaranui Rd was submerged at the dip, blocking all traffic.
5.83 in (14.8 cm) of rain fell in Pukatitiri on the 14th.
5.38 in (13.7 cm) of rain fell in Pukatitiri on the 15th.
The inland road at Rissington was blocked when a low level bridge became submerged.
6.10 in (15.5 cm) of rain fell in Rissington on the 14th.
Takapau was reported to have heavy flooding and serious stock losses.
Traffic between Gisborne and Napier was held up at Tangoio ford, where the stream had become a raging torrent. On the 14th, 30 passengers in 13 service cars plus two trucks were held up there all night by the impassable stream ahead and a slip behind them. They were rescued the next morning. The road was still impassable on the 16th.
The Tukituki River rose 12 ft (3.7 m) at Te Mata on the 14th.
Tikokino was reported to have heavy flooding and serious stock losses.
5.93 in (15.1 cm) of rain fell in Tutira on the 14th.
5.60 in (14.2 cm) of rain fell in Tutira on the 15th.
Hundreds of acres on either side of Raupere Rd were underwater and two houses were isolated.
One house was flooded with 2ft 6 in (76 cm) of water.
50 service car passengers were marooned at Waikari, 40 miles from Napier.
In the Waipara area, all the major roads and bridges were closed to all traffic on the 16th. One concrete bridge subsided.
Waipukarau had 36 hours of steady rain.
The Tukituki River was higher than had been for many years, and it overflowed in many places. It was still rising on the 16th.
Low-lying areas were inundated and part of the Waipukurau racecourse was flooded.
Several people were evacuated as water entered houses.
The Waipukurau borough septic tank was inundated.
Not since 1916 had the flood conditions in the district been so severe. Residents of 30 years said they had never experienced such a flood.
There was 4 ft (1.2 m) of water over the road at Waitangi.
Whanawhana recorded 5.73 in (14.6 cm) of rain in 17 hours from 4pm on the 14th to 9am on the 15th.
1.5 in (3.8 cm) of rain fell in Whanawhana in 24 hours on the 15th.
A severe gale devastated the New Plymouth district from the 14th till the 16th.
Many windows, fences and chimneys were damaged. A house in town was partly unroofed at 12:30am on the 16th, forcing the family to vacate the it.
The debris from the house carried away electric wires in the street, dislocating the tram service on the morning of the 16th.
On the morning of the 16th a launch was smahsed against the wharf and another sunk at its moorings.
There was a rapid rise in the Manawatu River on the 15th following the heavy rain in Hawke's Bay. The River Board's gauge showed a rise from 5 ft (1.5 m) on the 15th to nearly 14 ft (4.3 m) at 2am on the 16th.
The Pohangina River was in heavy flood and caused considerable damage.
The Oroua River was in high flood due to rain in the back country and the backing up of the Manawatu River, and it broke its banks early on the morning of the 16th.
The Foxton-Shannon and Foxton-Palmerston North roads were blocked by flood waters on the 14th.
The train was unable to leave Foxton on the morning of the 16th due to a washout near Rangitane.
A washout occurred on the Komaka bridge approaches over the Pohangina River.
Low-lying lands were flooded.
The Manawatu River was spilling into Moutoa on the 16th.
There was a washout on the Napier-Palmerston North road at Norsewood on the 15th.
Heavy rain in Palmerston North was accompanied by heavy winds.
Two lines were down at 8pm on the 15th.
The Manawatu River was 13.7 ft (4.18 m) above normal at 10pm on the 15th.
The Manawatu River had a peak discharge of 5700 cumecs at the Fitzherbert Bridge.
The Manawatu River rose to 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) at the Fitzherbert Bridge gauge.
Residents of Rangiotu were forced to evacuate their homes due to the danger of a further rise in the Oroua River.
The railway line to Foxton was under water and services were suspended.
Water on the railway line was up to 18 in (46 cm) deep and the tops of fences were not visible.
The Manawatu River overflowed its banks in the vicinity of Tiakatahuna.
The main road to Foxton was covered to a depth of 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) in places.
An area of land of approximately 10,000 acres (40.5 km^2) was covered with water, and pasture was damaged.
The body of a man (30-35 years old) was found on the riverbank at Tiakitahuna on the 20th. It was belived that he had been drowned and the body carried there by the flood.
Heavy rainfall caused a rapid rise in the rivers throughout the Wairarapa district.
Settlers at Kokotau, Dalefield and Matarawa were surrounded by flood waters. The waters were receding rapidly on the 16th as the weather cleared.
Dairy farmers experienced difficulty in getting milk to the factories.
Creeks in the upper plain district overflowed, causing inconvenience to settlers and road traffic.
Heavy stock losses were reported.
The Waiohine River overflowed on to the main highway, causing difficulty for traffic.
The worst damage reported was at Hinakura, where one of the four Dawson bridges over the Pahaoa River, Bush Gully bridge, which was 300 ft long, collapsed. Traffic to Bush Gully and beyond was completely cut off.
The flood in the Pahaoa River was the highest experienced for 20 years.
Many washouts and slips occurred in that district.
It was reported that 3 chains (60 m) of an uncompleted stopbank at Kahutara burst at 3pm on the 16th. Much low-lying country was flooded.
The South Wairarapa districts around Wairarapa Lake in the vicinity of Ruamahanga River were flooded on the 16th.
Langdale received 5.25 in (13.3 cm) of rain.
Heavy rain fell at Masterton on the 14th and 15th.
Masterton received over 3 in (7.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Rivers were flooded and low-lying land was inundated.
Stronvar received 6.56 in (16.7 cm) of rain.
It appeared that the heaviest rise in the rivers took place around Tinui.
The river at the back of the Castlepoint County Office was in high flood on the morning of the 15th and by noon a large area was under water. The office was inundated by flood waters and the clerk's dwelling house was also flooded. Other houses in the vicinity were also invaded by the rising waters.
Some houses had to be evacuated.
The county office was flooded to a depth of 6 in (15 cm).
At Tinui, the sudden rise of the river came as a surprise to settlers before sheep could be removed.
The main street in Tinui was flooded up to 3 ft (90 cm) by the Whareama River.
They were the worst floods experienced at Tinui for more than 20 years.
Tinui received 4.03 in (10.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.