NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
May 1950 Waikato Flooding ( 1950-05-19 )
There was a cloud-burst in the Port Charles area resulting in severe flooding of the surrounding country.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Waikato
The damage to roads in the Coromandel county totalled £6665 ($413,700 2010 dollars).
Heavy Rain
at
Port Charles
There was a cloud-burst in the Port Charles area on the 19th May 1950.
The downpour appeared to be most severe in the Sandy and Stony Bay areas and dividing ridge between Stony Bay and Fletchers Bay.
Flooding
There was severe flooding to the surrounding country.
The flats were completely inundated to several feet in water depth. Silting of flats occurred.
Heavy timber and debris was scattered over wide areas.
There was serious damage from soil loss but only a small area was affected.
1000 acres (405 ha) of hill country suffered severe sheet erosion and slipping.
50 acres (20 ha) of flat land was damaged by silt debris, fence damage and flooding.
Kerr Creek had a peak discharge of 1220 cusecs (34.5 cumecs) at Port Charles.
Eel Creek had a peak discharge of 1390 cusecs (39.4 cumecs) at Port Charles.
Tangiaro Stream had a peak discharge of 870 cusecs (24.6 cumecs) at Port Charles.
Damage was estimated at £8000 ($496,500 2010 dollars).
Several buildings and two dogs were swept out to sea.
The school moved off its foundations.
There was a 15 foot (4.6 m) deep hole in the road.
The district was isolated.
Fence posts, telegraph poles, one out-building and much farm equipment was left bobbing about in the sea.
One resident had 2 feet (0.6 m) water in his kitchen.
Flooding
at
Sandy Bay
Okaihau Creek had a peak discharge of 8180 cusecs (232 cumecs) at Sandy Bay.
It was estimated that water reached a height of 8 or 9 feet (2.4-2.7 m) in Okaihau Creek.
Flooding
at
Stony Bay
Doctors Creek had a peak discharge of 3650 cusecs (103 cumecs) at Stony Bay.
Stony Bay Creek had a peak discharge of 2640 cusecs (75 cumecs) at Stony Bay.
Flooding
at
Waikawau
Gisborne Stream had a peak discharge of 375 cusecs (10.6 cumecs) at Waikawau Bay.
Waikanae Stream had a peak discharge of 335 cusecs (9.5 cumecs) at Waikawau Bay.
References
- Cowie, C.A., Attwood, A.K. (1957) Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953, The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand
- Headline: Port Charles Struck By Cloudburst: ₤8000 Damage
- The Waikato Times, 19 May 1950.
May 1950 Waikato Flooding ( 1950-05-19 )
There was a cloud-burst in the Port Charles area resulting in severe flooding of the surrounding country.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Waikato
The damage to roads in the Coromandel county totalled £6665 ($413,700 2010 dollars).
Heavy Rain
at
Port Charles
There was a cloud-burst in the Port Charles area on the 19th May 1950.
The downpour appeared to be most severe in the Sandy and Stony Bay areas and dividing ridge between Stony Bay and Fletchers Bay.
Flooding
There was severe flooding to the surrounding country.
The flats were completely inundated to several feet in water depth. Silting of flats occurred.
Heavy timber and debris was scattered over wide areas.
There was serious damage from soil loss but only a small area was affected.
1000 acres (405 ha) of hill country suffered severe sheet erosion and slipping.
50 acres (20 ha) of flat land was damaged by silt debris, fence damage and flooding.
Kerr Creek had a peak discharge of 1220 cusecs (34.5 cumecs) at Port Charles.
Eel Creek had a peak discharge of 1390 cusecs (39.4 cumecs) at Port Charles.
Tangiaro Stream had a peak discharge of 870 cusecs (24.6 cumecs) at Port Charles.
Damage was estimated at £8000 ($496,500 2010 dollars).
Several buildings and two dogs were swept out to sea.
The school moved off its foundations.
There was a 15 foot (4.6 m) deep hole in the road.
The district was isolated.
Fence posts, telegraph poles, one out-building and much farm equipment was left bobbing about in the sea.
One resident had 2 feet (0.6 m) water in his kitchen.
Flooding
at
Sandy Bay
Okaihau Creek had a peak discharge of 8180 cusecs (232 cumecs) at Sandy Bay.
It was estimated that water reached a height of 8 or 9 feet (2.4-2.7 m) in Okaihau Creek.
Flooding
at
Stony Bay
Doctors Creek had a peak discharge of 3650 cusecs (103 cumecs) at Stony Bay.
Stony Bay Creek had a peak discharge of 2640 cusecs (75 cumecs) at Stony Bay.
Flooding
at
Waikawau
Gisborne Stream had a peak discharge of 375 cusecs (10.6 cumecs) at Waikawau Bay.
Waikanae Stream had a peak discharge of 335 cusecs (9.5 cumecs) at Waikawau Bay.
References
- Cowie, C.A., Attwood, A.K. (1957) Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953, The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand
- Headline: Port Charles Struck By Cloudburst: ₤8000 Damage
- The Waikato Times, 19 May 1950.