NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
May 2006 South Island Storm
(
2006-05-12
)
Heavy rain and minor flooding in Christchurch was followed by the death of six people in high seas off Stewart Island and snowfalls in Southland, Otago, Canterbury and the Central Plateau.
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: - From the 12th tll the 14th of May.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Desert Road
The Desert Road (SH1) was closed on the 14th.
There was 15cm-deep snow on the road.
Canterbury
Flooding
at
Christchurch
There was heavy rain and surface flooding in Christchurch on the 12th.
Some rivers, including the Heathcote, burst their banks, and accumulated autumn leaves blocked drains.
Heavy Rain
The suburb of Hoon Hay received 60 mm (6 cm) of rain.
Snow / Ice
at
Burkes Pass
A number of vehicles were stranded by snow in Burkes Pass.
Heavy Rain
at
Lyttelton
Lyttleton received 66 mm (6.6 cm) of rain.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Snowfall occurred down to 400-500 m in Otago on the 14th.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Snowfall occurred down to 400-500 m in Southland on the 14th.
Stewart Island
Maritime / Coastal
at
Stewart Island
The Kotuku capsized and sank off Stewart Island on the afternoon of the 13th while returning to Bluff from the Muttonbird Islands. The final report from Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) concluded that two large waves hitting the Kotuku side-on led to it's sinking.
Three men (aged 34, 52 and 78 years old), one woman (41 years old) and and two boys (both 9 years old) on board the Kotuku were drowned. The other three men on board survived after swimming ashore to Womens Island. None of those on board were wearing life jackets.
References
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Snowstorms, to 14th June 2006.
- Natural Hazards 2006, Hazards summary, snow, hail and electrical storms, p.27.
- Headline: Dunedin skipper 'last man' to see Kotuku.
- The Southland Times, 16 May 2006.
- Headline: Grim find 'some relief'.
- The Southland Times, 16 May 2006.
- Headline: Farewell to 'good mate'.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 2006.
- Headline: Rogue waves sunk Kotuku - report.
- stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August 2008.
May 2006 South Island Storm
(
2006-05-12
)
Heavy rain and minor flooding in Christchurch was followed by the death of six people in high seas off Stewart Island and snowfalls in Southland, Otago, Canterbury and the Central Plateau.
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: - From the 12th tll the 14th of May.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Snow / Ice
at
Desert Road
The Desert Road (SH1) was closed on the 14th.
There was 15cm-deep snow on the road.
Canterbury
Flooding
at
Christchurch
There was heavy rain and surface flooding in Christchurch on the 12th.
Some rivers, including the Heathcote, burst their banks, and accumulated autumn leaves blocked drains.
Heavy Rain
The suburb of Hoon Hay received 60 mm (6 cm) of rain.
Snow / Ice
at
Burkes Pass
A number of vehicles were stranded by snow in Burkes Pass.
Heavy Rain
at
Lyttelton
Lyttleton received 66 mm (6.6 cm) of rain.
Otago
Snow / Ice
at
Otago
Snowfall occurred down to 400-500 m in Otago on the 14th.
Southland
Snow / Ice
at
Southland
Snowfall occurred down to 400-500 m in Southland on the 14th.
Stewart Island
Maritime / Coastal
at
Stewart Island
The Kotuku capsized and sank off Stewart Island on the afternoon of the 13th while returning to Bluff from the Muttonbird Islands. The final report from Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) concluded that two large waves hitting the Kotuku side-on led to it's sinking.
Three men (aged 34, 52 and 78 years old), one woman (41 years old) and and two boys (both 9 years old) on board the Kotuku were drowned. The other three men on board survived after swimming ashore to Womens Island. None of those on board were wearing life jackets.
References
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Snowstorms, to 14th June 2006.
- Natural Hazards 2006, Hazards summary, snow, hail and electrical storms, p.27.
- Headline: Dunedin skipper 'last man' to see Kotuku.
- The Southland Times, 16 May 2006.
- Headline: Grim find 'some relief'.
- The Southland Times, 16 May 2006.
- Headline: Farewell to 'good mate'.
- The Southland Times, 18 May 2006.
- Headline: Rogue waves sunk Kotuku - report.
- stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 26 August 2008.