NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
May 2010 New Zealand Storm
(
2010-05-24
)
15-36 years
There was heavy rain, flooding and snow falls throughout New Zealand from the 24th of May to the 31st of May. There was several millions of dollars worth of damage caused by the storm.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 8 days - There was heavy rain, flooding and snow falls throughout New Zealand from the 24th of May to the 31st of May.
A front carrying heavy rain moved down the North Island on the 24th and stalled over Canterbury. It was pinned in place by a low pressure system which was over the Tasman Sea on the 24th. A cold, strong, southerly flow brought snow to low levels in Southland, Otago and Canterbury on the 26th and 27th.
Insurance claims for the storm total $5.5 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:19 am 22-May-2010: Deepening low in Tasman Sea forecast to spread band of heavy rain and northeast gales over northern New Zealand on the night of the 23rd and the 24th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:12 pm 22-May-2010: Deepening low in Tasman Sea forecast to spread band of heavy rain and northeast gales over northern New Zealand on the night of the 23rd and the 24th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:21 am 23-May-2010: Deepening low in Tasman Sea forecast to spread band of heavy rain and northeast gales over northern New Zealand on the night of the 23rd and the morning of the 25th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:01 am 23-May-2010: Large trough of low pressure moving slowly across northern and central New Zealand on the 23rd, 24th and 25th. Prolonged heavy rain expected for parts of Canterbury and Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 21:02 pm 23-May-2010: A deepening low is expected to remain slow moving west of central New Zealand through to the 26th. An associated front, preceded by strong moist northeast winds and heavy rain, sweeps across the North Island and upper South Island on the 24th. This front should then stall over Canterbury, with a prolonged period of heavy rain and east or southeast gales for the lower South Island through to the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:38 am 24-May-2010: Period of heavy rain for the upper North Island today, and some eastern parts of Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa from the night of the 24th. Prolonged heavy rain in parts of Canterbury and Otago from the 24th to the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 21:15 pm 24-May-2010: Heavy rain in the northeast of the North Island of the North Island easing overnight. Heavy rain and coastal gales for central Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa overnight and the morning of the 25th. Prolonged heavy rain in parts of Canterbury and Otago through to the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 09:09 am 25-May-2010: Heavy rain continuing in parts of Canterbury and Otago. Severe gales possible through the valleys of Westland and Fiordland, also about Banks Peninsula.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 15:13 pm 25-May-2010: A slow moving complex trough of low pressure over New Zealand is forecast to bring further periods of heavy rain to parts of Canterbury and eastern Otago through to the afternoon of the 26th, but easing in Marlborough and the Kaikoura coast this evening. Severe gales possible through the valleys of Westland and Fiordland, also about Banks Peninsula.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:41 pm 25-May-2010: Further heavy rain expected to parts of Canterbury and eastern Otago through to the afternoon of the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:52 am 26-May-2010: Heavy rain in parts of Canterbury and Otago along with gales through some Westland and Fiordland valleys both easing on the afternoon or evening of the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 17:29 pm 26-May-2010: Rain continuing to ease over eastern parts of Otago and Canterbury and the warning is lifted. Severe gales are no longer expected about Westland and Fiordland valleys. A cold outbreak is expected to bring snow down to near 200 metres in parts of Southland and South Otago overnight, and to 300 metres in other parts of Otago and Canterbury on the morning of the 27th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 10:12 am 27-May-2010: Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres for parts of Canterbury and north Otago overnight on the 27th and on the morning of the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 16:44 pm 27-May-2010: Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres for parts of Buller, Nelson and Marlborough overnight on the 27th. Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres for parts of Canterbury and north Otago overnight on the 27th and on the morning of the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:22 pm 27-May-2010: Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres about the upper South Island and for parts of Canterbury and north Otago overnight on the 27th and on the morning of the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 09:07 am 28-May-2010: Further heavy snow to low levels in eastern Otago and south Canterbury until late afternoon on the 28th. Significant falls still likely in the mid and north Canterbury on the 28th, but not as heavy as oiginally forecast. Snow over inland valleys of Buller, Nelson and Marlborough easing.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 10:15 am 28-May-2010: Warning updates to add a period of heavy rain for Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay for the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:08 pm 28-May-2010: Further heavy rain for eastern Otago likely. Heavy snow has now eased over the inland valleys of the upper South Island, and has now eased beneath 500 metres for eastern Otago and Canterbury. Rain easing over Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:02 am 29-May-2010: Heavy rain in eastern Otago expected to ease this afternoon.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 01:53 pm Saturday 29 May 2010 for: Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 15:18 pm 29-May-2010: Rain has eased over eastern Otago and the warning is now lifted.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 16:20 pm 29-May-2010: Heavy rain for Hawke's Bay from Hastings northwards on the evening of the 29th.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 06:43 pm Saturday 29 May 2010 for: Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:41 pm 29-May-2010: Heavy rain for Hawke's Bay from Mohaka northwards, easing tonight.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 08:41 pm Saturday 29 May 2010 for: Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 06:16 am 30-May-2010: Rain in northern Hawke's Bay has eased.
The Earthquake Commission had received 138 claims by the 1st of June, estimated at $1,500,000 for landslip damage to houses, and flood and storm damage to land throughout New Zealand. The majority of the claims were from Napier, Whakatane, Tasman, Waitaki and Wellington.
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
About 50 rural roads remained closed in Canterbury and Otago on the 1st of June.
Insurance claims from South Canterbury and North Otago amounted to a few million dollars on the 1st of June.
Snow / Ice
After four days of heavy rain and flooding, snow fell in higher parts of inland Otago such as the MacKenzie Basin, around Middlemarch and higher areas of Southland and in Arthurs, Lindis and Porters Passes.
State Highway 8 from Omarama to Tarras through the Lindis Pass was closed due to snow on the 28th of May.
Northland
Heavy Rain
at
Northland
Parts of Northland received up to 80 mm (8.0 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded winds speeds of up to 94 km/hr at 6pm on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 46 mm (4.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 24th of May.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
at
Auckland city
Auckland recorded 26 mm (2.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 24th of May.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Whitianga
Whitianga recorded 113 mm (11.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 24th of May.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
at
Whakatane
Whakatane recorded 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in five hours on the night of the 24th.
Whakatane recorded 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain in one hour on the night of the 24th (this rainfall was a one in 20 year event).
Flooding
The weather caused flooding of several properties and power outages.
The fire service was busy pumping out flooded homes in Whakatane and Ohope.
Wainui-Te Whara Stream overflowed and sent water down the streets.
One house on Douglas Street was evacuated and others were damaged.
The Mangarowera, Kaituna, and Whakatane Rivers reached alert levels.
Landslide
One home was severely damaged when a slip took a chuck of the house.
There was a 500-subic-metre slip blocking a lane on Mokoroa Gorge Road between Whakatane and Ohope.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
at
Tolaga Bay
A tree came down on State Highway 35 in Tolaga Bay and was believed to be weather related.
Hawke's Bay
Maritime / Coastal
at
Clifton
High seas along Clifton shoreline undermined six to eight metres of land by the Marine Club and motor camp. The Marine Club cannot use one of its two boat ramps now and the Clifton Beach Reserve Motor Camp had to move some caravans and cabins.
Heavy Rain
at
Hastings
Hasting recorded 52.2 mm (5.22 cm) of rain in seven hours between 2pm and 9pm on the 29th.
Flooding
Streets were flooded in suburban areas and in some areas the floodwaters were up to half a metre deep. Several roads were closed until water receded on the 30th.
There was surface flooding due to blocked drains in Heretaunga Street.
The worst hit areas included Williams Street in Mahora, and Caernarvon Drive and Henderson Road in Flaxmere.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Hawke's Bay was hit by heavy rain on the 24th and surface flooding caused minor problems. On Napier's Dickens Street, there were several stores at risk of flooding on the 24th.
Flooding
Napier was hit again by heavy rain and it received half its May average of rain in seven hours on the 29th.
The low pressure system which dragged the rain in struck hardest along eastern coastal areas.
Napier recorded 46.8 mm (4.68 cm) of rain in seven hours between 2pm and 9pm on the 29th.
Streets were flooded in suburban areas and in some areas the floodwaters were up to half a metre deep. Several roads were closed until water receded on the 30th.
Landslide
Worst hit was Napier Hill, where slips closed several streets and roads.
Four homes in Faraday Street, on Napier Hill, had to evacuate their home after a slip came down. One family was left temporarily homeless after the bank at the front of their property slipped away, crushing a car and bursting sewage and water pipes.
Three cars and their occupants were trapped at the Bluff Hill lookout when trees and a part of a bank fell across the road. The group were rescued by the fire service. Main Road on Bluff Hill was also closed, with a fallen tree blocking the way through.
Multi Hazard
The Salvation Army base at Faraday Street had sidnificant damage to many of its buildings, with a layer of silt and water covering the floor in both the Family Store and the recreation centre. A slip also pushed a hole through the wall of another building, trapping the Salvation Army emergency services caravan and crushing the bonnet of a work car.
Wellington
Flooding
at
Wellington
Water flowed on to properties in the northern suburb of Tawa, as well as in Porirua's Titahi Bay. Civil Defence was on alert to evacuate homes but this was avoided as heavy rain subsided.
Heavy Rain
at
Castlepoint
Castlepoint recorded 91 mm (9.1 cm) of rain from 8pm on the 24th to 8am on the 25th of May.
Flooding
at
Titahi Bay
Several roads around Titaho Bay were closed as surface flooding sent cars floating down them.
Heavy Rain
at
Upper Hutt
Wallaceville, a suburb of Upper Hutt, recorded 22 mm (2.2 cm) of rain overnight of the 24th.
Heavy Rain
at
Wellington International Airport
Wellington Airport recorded 17 mm (1.7 cm) of rain overnight of the 24th.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Canterbury
It was the wettest week in Canterbury for 36 years. Some parts of Canterbury recorded over 163 mm (16.3 cm) of rain in seven days.
Flooding
It was estimated that about $100,000 would be spent fixing unsealed roads in the Rangitata Gorge and Peel Forest, which received scouring from heavy rain.
Waimate district roads received minor damage and it was estimated to cost $100,000 to repair. This amount did not include the damage to Bradshaws Bridge which was still under water on the 1st of June.
There were many closed roads in the Waimate district on the 26th of May. The areas of concern were Morven, Glenavy and Ikawai with many roads closed because of extensive flooding.
A small low-pressure system with thick cloudbands moved towards the Canterbury coast into a freezing southerly air mass on the 28th of May.
The Inland Road between Waiau and State Highway 1, south of Kaikoura, was closed on the 27th after heavy rain washed out the road at Lulu's Creek. The washout caused some residents in the Mt Terako and whalesback area, near My Lyford, to lose phone lines. Leamington Ford and Nape Nape, near Cheviot, were both impassable, and Chaffeys Road, near Waiau, was closed.
Cleaning up the weeks flood damage was likely to cost millions of dollars in the Waitaki district. It was estimated that the damage to roads in the district would cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the Waitaki district there were about 120 local road closures, apart from state highways, on the 26th of May. People and properties were cut off or surrounded by floodwaters.
The Waitaki District Emergency Management Office was fully activated.
Flooding
at
Arowhenua
The Temuka River rose and caused some flooding in the Arowhenua area.
Heavy Rain
at
Christchurch
Riccarton Road recorded 178.5 mm (17.85 cm) of rain over two days.
Parts of Christchurch recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain from the night of the 25th to the night of the 26th. This was more than a month's rain in less than 24 hours.
Flooding
The deluge caused flooding around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Flooding forced the closure of Hunter Tce in Opawa, Wigram Road in Sockburn, and Kinloch Road in Little River, and road maintenance crews worked to clear several other streets along the riverside. There was also flooding in Colombo Street, near the intersection with Dyers Pass Road.
The Avon breached its banks in the afternoon of the 26th around New Brighton Road, from Avondale Road to Anzac Drive, and flooded the road near the Wainoni bridge.
Wastewater overflowed into the Avon and Heathcote rivers at four sites on the 26th but all were within resource consent conditions.
Landslide
A landslip closed the Summit Road between Dyers Pass Road and Gebbies Pass Road in Christchurch on the 31st of May.
Landslide
at
Duntroon
There was a collapse of a rock outcrop at the Takiroa rock art site, near Duntroon, as a result of the heavy rain. The rare examples of Maori art survived but the collapse crushed part of the security structure surrounding the art and destroyed landscaping and fencing.
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Hutt Skifield
Mount Hutt Ski Area recorded 230 mm (23.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Snow / Ice
Mount Hutt Ski Area received 20 cm of snow on the 27th.
Flooding
at
Loburn North
A North Loburn resident said it was the worst flooding she had seen for 15 years.
Flooding
at
Sheffield
Roads were closed near Sheffield.
Flooding
at
Springfield
Roads were closed near Springfield.
Flooding
at
Temuka
All schools in Temuka and Pleasant Point were closed on the 26th.
Flooding
at
Timaru
Several roads in the Levels, Arowhenua, Milford/Clandeboye, Rosewill and Washdyke areas were closed.
Timaru residents had to conserve water as the sity was relying solely on the water stored at the treatment plant. Untreated water was cut off as it sould have caused contamination.
The repair to the water system was estimated to cost up to $150,000 at the Orari River, Te Ngawai and Te Moana.
Excavators opened the gravel-choked river mouths of Saltwater Creek, south of Timaru, and Washdyke Creek, north of the city, to lower the flooding risk.
Otago
Heavy Rain
at
Otago
West Otago recorded 35 mm ( 3.5 cm) of rain on the 26th.
Flooding
The flooding was about the third-highest event since the 1986 flooding in North Otago and the third-highest on the Taieri at Outram since 1968.
Potholes and debris covered roads throughout the Clutha district.
There were no reports of major damage to property and the region's infrastructure seems to have escaped major structural damage.
SH82 was closed. SH83 was closed between Pukeuri and Kurow. SH1 was closed between Waitaki Bridge and Pukeuri and was also closed at Maheno and Palmerston. SH1 was closed south of Waikouaiti for about two hours on the 25th after the Waikouaiti River began flowing across the road. SH1 north of Pukeuri was finally opened on the morning of the 31st of May after almost a week of being closed.
Two bridges were underwater, over the Kauru River on Switchback Road and on Loop Road off State Highway 85.
Many rural schools were closed of the 26th including St Kevin's College and Waitaki Boys', Waitaki Girls', East Otago High Schools and the local primary schools.
The army was called in to help Noth Otago residents stranded by flooding. The soldiers and two unimogs accessed areas cut off by heavy rain and delivered supplies.
The rain compromised water quality and all residents on rural water supplies were told to boil their water and conserve as much as possible. The following water supplies were shut down due to flooded intakes: Awamoko, Dunback, Hampden, Moeraki, Herbert, Waianakarua, Kauru Hill, Lower Waitaki, Goodwood and Windsor.
While the rainfall was prolonged and caused havoc, the floods did not rank particularly highly compared with historical events.
Snow / Ice
Snow fell in higher parts of inland Otago on the 27th of May.
State Highway 87 between Outram and Middlemarch and State Highway 85 between Palmerston and Kyeburn were closed because of snow on the 27th of May.
Heavy Rain
at
Albert Burn
Albert Burn recorded 20.5 mm (2.05 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Albert Burn recorded 57 mm (5.7 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Flooding
at
Allanton
Floodwater covered the railway line south of Allanton for five days and stopped trains.
Flooding
at
Alma
A railway underpass at Alma on SH1 was closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Balclutha
Balclutha recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain on the 26th.
Heavy Rain
at
Cascade Hut
Cascade Hut recorded 19 mm (1.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Cascade Hut recorded 37 mm (3.7 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Flooding
at
Clifton Falls homestead
Kakanui River had a peak discharge of 443 cumecs at Clifton Falls (close to the second-highest peak discharge of 452 recorded in July 1994).
Flooding
at
Deep Stream
Deep Stream had a discharge of 129.5 cumecs at State Highway 87 at 8:30pm on the 25th.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin
Dunedin recorded 77 mm (7.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 25th.
Flooding
Road closures around Dunedin due to flooding included: Garthmyl Road from Middlemarch to Mt Ross Road, Flagstaff/Whare Flat Road, the full length of Henley Road in Taieri, all roads with fords for rivers/stream crossings within DCC boundaries (including sites on Gladfield Road, Ravensburn Street, McIntosh Road, Miller Road, Waitati Valley Road), Riverside Road from Bush Road to School Road in Taieri, George King Memorial Drive from Whare Creek to Lee Stream and Silverstream Valley Road.
There was atleast 18 vehicle crashes around Dunedin in 48 hours up to the morning of the 27th.
Sports grounds were closed and there was minor flooding around Dunedin city.
The occupants of one Dunedin house were evacuated and several other properties cleared after sewerage backed up.
Sewage had backed up in parts of Mosgiel and in several parts of Dunedin, including Northeast Valley and South Dunedin.
Flagstaff Creek overflowed, closing Three Mill Hill Road linking Dunedin with Mosgiel for a period in the morning of the 25th.
The Water of Leith reched a peak discharge of 47 cumecs on the 25th before steadily dropping.
Landslide
There was a big slip on Portobello Road between Castlewood Road and Broad Bay which took with it three large trees and a shed and was more than 1000 cubic metres in volume. Other major slips affected Waitati Valley, Mt Cargill and Rosehill Roads. There was a large slip that closed Highcliff Road at the Sandymount Road intersection on the 25th.
Heavy Rain
at
Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded 123 mm (12.3 cm) of rain over 52 hours to 4pm on the 26th.
Dunedin Airport recorded 243 mm (24.3 cm) of rain fell between 24th and 31st of May.
Dunedin Airport recorded 79 mm (7.9 cm) of rain fell in 24 hours on the 28th.
Flooding
at
Hampden
There was surface flooding of SH1 at Hampden.
Flooding
at
Hilderthorpe
State Highway 1 near Hilderthorpe was covered by up to 1 m of water.
Flooding
at
Kakanui River
Kakanui River had a peak discharge of 900 cumecs.
Flooding
at
Kauru River
Kauru River had a peak discharge of 100 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Makarora
Makarora recorded 4.5 mm (0.45 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Makarora recorded 33 mm (3.3 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Heavy Rain
at
Matukituki River
Matukituki Valley recorded 1.5 mm (1.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Matukituki Valley recorded 20.5 mm (2.05 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Flooding
at
Milton
One person evacuated their house voluntarily on the 26th of May as water pooled in Milton's lower streets.
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru
Oamaru recorded 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain from the 24th to the 26th of May.
Oamaru recorded 146 mm (14.6 cm) of rain from noon on the 24th to 9pm on the 25th of May.
Oamaru recorded 87 mm (8.7 cm) of rain in 12 hours up to 8am on the 25th.
Flooding
Oamaru Creek burst its banks and closed Chelmer Street and Old Mill Road.
Oamaru was isolated by the worst flooding in more than a decade. SH1 north and south of the town was impassable on the 25th and bypass roads were also flooded, cutting off the town.
Dacre Street and Brent Street were evacuated.
Most Oamaru schools and kindergartens were closed.
The grounds of Oamaru Intermediate School were flooded.
The Top 10 Holiday Park in Oamaru Gardens was closed. Other parts of town hit by flooding were Lowther, Dacre and Brent Streets.
On the 25th waterways including Kakanui River were at their banks while Island Stream and Oamaru Creek had both burst their banks.
Flooding
at
Outram
Taieri River had a peak discharge of 1198 cumecs at Outram.
Taieri River spilled over its floodbanks near Outram on the morning of the 26th.
Landslide
On the 30th of May a massive landslip swept through Berwick Forest camground, near Outram, shifting a building where up to 42 people were sleeping. The campers were transferred to the caretaker's premises before being evacuated to Dunedin.
Flooding
at
Palmerston
State Highway 1 was closed north of Palmerston until mid-morning on the 26th.
Flooding closed Factory Road, Switchback Road, and Patterson Road on the outskirts of Palmerston on the 26th.
About 3500 residents of Palmerston were on restricted water supplies to prevet contamination from polluted water.
Heavy Rain
at
Peats Hut
Peats Hut on the Shotover River recorded 18.5 mm (1.85 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 1pm on the 26th.
Flooding
at
Richmond
There were reports of flooding affecting properties at Richmond on the 25th. The residents of a house in York Street, Richmond, were forced to evacuate their home.
Flooding
at
Riverside
About eight farms at Riverside, near Outram, were affected by the flooding of the Taieri River.
Flooding
at
Silver Stream
Silver Stream had a peak discharge of 133 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
at
Sullivans Dam
Sullivans Dam recorded 130 mm (13.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 25th.
Sullivans Dam recorded 250 mm (25.0 cm) of rain over 52 hours to 4pm on the 26th.
Heavy Rain
at
The Dasher
Dasher recorded 211 mm (21.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 25th.
Dasher in North Otago recorded 260.5 mm (26.05 cm) of rain in two days (almost breaking the highest rainfall record of 265 mm in January 2002).
Heavy Rain
at
Waitahuna
Waitahuna received 76 mm (7.6 cm) of rain from the 24th to the 26th.
Flooding
Some low-lying properties in the Waitahuna Valley had water on them.
References
- MetService Email Lists
- Otago Region Emergency Management Group, Media Release, Tuesday 25 May 0945hrs.
- Headline: Seas do fresh harm to Clifton shoreline.
- www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz, 1st June 2010.
- Headline: LEAD STORY: The Wild Wet.
- www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz, 31st May 2010.
- Headline: Salvation Army hit in storm.
- www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz, 31st May 2010.
- Headline: Worst of wet weather expected overnight.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24th May 2010, 7:32pm.
- Headline: Bad weather front sparks evacuation.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 8:01am.
- Headline: Flood bill could be millions.
- www.odt.co.nz, 1st June 2010, 5:03am.
- Headline: Coastal rivers under watch as rain continues.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 4:59am.
- Headline: Flooding, sewage, slip keep works crews busy.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 5:02am.
- Headline: Coastal Otago awash.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 5:03am.
- Headline: Latest flood updates: Wednesday.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 7:35am.
- Headline: Taieri River spills over.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 8:34am.
- Headline: Army called in to North Otago.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 9:00am.
- Headline: Flooding halts Manuka Gorge work.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Maori rock art undamaged in huge rock fall.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Big wet to big chill.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 5:03am.
- Headline: Snow closes state highway.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 8:03am.
- Headline: Snow follows floods.
- www.odt.co.nz, 28th May 2010, 5:02am.
- Headline: Latest weather conditions update.
- www.odt.co.nz, 28th May 2010, 8:12am.
- Headline: A deluge of May rainfall records.
- www.odt.co.nz, 2nd June 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: 'Phenomenal' noise as cliff slips.
- www.odt.co.nz, 2nd June 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Deluge, winds forecast for the country.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 24th May 2010, 1:26pm.
- Headline: Bad weather set to get worse - MetService.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 10:31am.
- Headline: Oamaru floods 'worst in decade'.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 11:32am.
- Headline: Snow to follow South Island floods.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 2:42pm.
- Headline: After the mopping up, prepare to shiver.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 6:54pm.
- Headline: $1.5m in storm claims so far.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 31st May 2010, 9:22pm.
- Headline: Avon and Heathcote near spillover.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 26th May 2010, 3:00pm.
- Headline: One month's rain in a day.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 27th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Snow, hail and sleet hit South Island.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 28th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Landslip closes Christchurch road.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 31st May 2010, 10:56am.
- Headline: Sunshine ends wettest week in 36 years.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 31st May 2010, 9:30am.
- Headline: Flood cleanup will cost millions.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Timaru Herald, 1st June 2010, 5:00am.
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (www.icnz.org.nz/current/weather)
May 2010 New Zealand Storm
(
2010-05-24
)
15-36 years
There was heavy rain, flooding and snow falls throughout New Zealand from the 24th of May to the 31st of May. There was several millions of dollars worth of damage caused by the storm.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 8 days - There was heavy rain, flooding and snow falls throughout New Zealand from the 24th of May to the 31st of May.
A front carrying heavy rain moved down the North Island on the 24th and stalled over Canterbury. It was pinned in place by a low pressure system which was over the Tasman Sea on the 24th. A cold, strong, southerly flow brought snow to low levels in Southland, Otago and Canterbury on the 26th and 27th.
Insurance claims for the storm total $5.5 million.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:19 am 22-May-2010: Deepening low in Tasman Sea forecast to spread band of heavy rain and northeast gales over northern New Zealand on the night of the 23rd and the 24th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:12 pm 22-May-2010: Deepening low in Tasman Sea forecast to spread band of heavy rain and northeast gales over northern New Zealand on the night of the 23rd and the 24th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:21 am 23-May-2010: Deepening low in Tasman Sea forecast to spread band of heavy rain and northeast gales over northern New Zealand on the night of the 23rd and the morning of the 25th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 11:01 am 23-May-2010: Large trough of low pressure moving slowly across northern and central New Zealand on the 23rd, 24th and 25th. Prolonged heavy rain expected for parts of Canterbury and Otago.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 21:02 pm 23-May-2010: A deepening low is expected to remain slow moving west of central New Zealand through to the 26th. An associated front, preceded by strong moist northeast winds and heavy rain, sweeps across the North Island and upper South Island on the 24th. This front should then stall over Canterbury, with a prolonged period of heavy rain and east or southeast gales for the lower South Island through to the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:38 am 24-May-2010: Period of heavy rain for the upper North Island today, and some eastern parts of Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa from the night of the 24th. Prolonged heavy rain in parts of Canterbury and Otago from the 24th to the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 21:15 pm 24-May-2010: Heavy rain in the northeast of the North Island of the North Island easing overnight. Heavy rain and coastal gales for central Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa overnight and the morning of the 25th. Prolonged heavy rain in parts of Canterbury and Otago through to the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 09:09 am 25-May-2010: Heavy rain continuing in parts of Canterbury and Otago. Severe gales possible through the valleys of Westland and Fiordland, also about Banks Peninsula.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 15:13 pm 25-May-2010: A slow moving complex trough of low pressure over New Zealand is forecast to bring further periods of heavy rain to parts of Canterbury and eastern Otago through to the afternoon of the 26th, but easing in Marlborough and the Kaikoura coast this evening. Severe gales possible through the valleys of Westland and Fiordland, also about Banks Peninsula.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:41 pm 25-May-2010: Further heavy rain expected to parts of Canterbury and eastern Otago through to the afternoon of the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:52 am 26-May-2010: Heavy rain in parts of Canterbury and Otago along with gales through some Westland and Fiordland valleys both easing on the afternoon or evening of the 26th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 17:29 pm 26-May-2010: Rain continuing to ease over eastern parts of Otago and Canterbury and the warning is lifted. Severe gales are no longer expected about Westland and Fiordland valleys. A cold outbreak is expected to bring snow down to near 200 metres in parts of Southland and South Otago overnight, and to 300 metres in other parts of Otago and Canterbury on the morning of the 27th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 10:12 am 27-May-2010: Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres for parts of Canterbury and north Otago overnight on the 27th and on the morning of the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 16:44 pm 27-May-2010: Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres for parts of Buller, Nelson and Marlborough overnight on the 27th. Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres for parts of Canterbury and north Otago overnight on the 27th and on the morning of the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:22 pm 27-May-2010: Heavy snow expected to about 400 metres about the upper South Island and for parts of Canterbury and north Otago overnight on the 27th and on the morning of the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 09:07 am 28-May-2010: Further heavy snow to low levels in eastern Otago and south Canterbury until late afternoon on the 28th. Significant falls still likely in the mid and north Canterbury on the 28th, but not as heavy as oiginally forecast. Snow over inland valleys of Buller, Nelson and Marlborough easing.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 10:15 am 28-May-2010: Warning updates to add a period of heavy rain for Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay for the 28th.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:08 pm 28-May-2010: Further heavy rain for eastern Otago likely. Heavy snow has now eased over the inland valleys of the upper South Island, and has now eased beneath 500 metres for eastern Otago and Canterbury. Rain easing over Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 08:02 am 29-May-2010: Heavy rain in eastern Otago expected to ease this afternoon.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 01:53 pm Saturday 29 May 2010 for: Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 15:18 pm 29-May-2010: Rain has eased over eastern Otago and the warning is now lifted.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 16:20 pm 29-May-2010: Heavy rain for Hawke's Bay from Hastings northwards on the evening of the 29th.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 06:43 pm Saturday 29 May 2010 for: Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 20:41 pm 29-May-2010: Heavy rain for Hawke's Bay from Mohaka northwards, easing tonight.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH issued at 08:41 pm Saturday 29 May 2010 for: Hawkes Bay.
MetService SEVERE WEATHER WARNING issued at 06:16 am 30-May-2010: Rain in northern Hawke's Bay has eased.
The Earthquake Commission had received 138 claims by the 1st of June, estimated at $1,500,000 for landslip damage to houses, and flood and storm damage to land throughout New Zealand. The majority of the claims were from Napier, Whakatane, Tasman, Waitaki and Wellington.
South Island
Multi Hazard
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South Island
About 50 rural roads remained closed in Canterbury and Otago on the 1st of June.
Insurance claims from South Canterbury and North Otago amounted to a few million dollars on the 1st of June.
Snow / Ice
After four days of heavy rain and flooding, snow fell in higher parts of inland Otago such as the MacKenzie Basin, around Middlemarch and higher areas of Southland and in Arthurs, Lindis and Porters Passes.
State Highway 8 from Omarama to Tarras through the Lindis Pass was closed due to snow on the 28th of May.
Northland
Heavy Rain
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Northland
Parts of Northland received up to 80 mm (8.0 cm) of rain on the 23rd.
High Wind / Gust
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Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga recorded winds speeds of up to 94 km/hr at 6pm on the 23rd.
Heavy Rain
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Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 46 mm (4.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 24th of May.
Auckland
Heavy Rain
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Auckland city
Auckland recorded 26 mm (2.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 24th of May.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
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Whitianga
Whitianga recorded 113 mm (11.3 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 24th of May.
Bay of Plenty
Heavy Rain
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Whakatane
Whakatane recorded 150 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in five hours on the night of the 24th.
Whakatane recorded 50 mm (5.0 cm) of rain in one hour on the night of the 24th (this rainfall was a one in 20 year event).
Flooding
The weather caused flooding of several properties and power outages.
The fire service was busy pumping out flooded homes in Whakatane and Ohope.
Wainui-Te Whara Stream overflowed and sent water down the streets.
One house on Douglas Street was evacuated and others were damaged.
The Mangarowera, Kaituna, and Whakatane Rivers reached alert levels.
Landslide
One home was severely damaged when a slip took a chuck of the house.
There was a 500-subic-metre slip blocking a lane on Mokoroa Gorge Road between Whakatane and Ohope.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
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Tolaga Bay
A tree came down on State Highway 35 in Tolaga Bay and was believed to be weather related.
Hawke's Bay
Maritime / Coastal
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Clifton
High seas along Clifton shoreline undermined six to eight metres of land by the Marine Club and motor camp. The Marine Club cannot use one of its two boat ramps now and the Clifton Beach Reserve Motor Camp had to move some caravans and cabins.
Heavy Rain
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Hastings
Hasting recorded 52.2 mm (5.22 cm) of rain in seven hours between 2pm and 9pm on the 29th.
Flooding
Streets were flooded in suburban areas and in some areas the floodwaters were up to half a metre deep. Several roads were closed until water receded on the 30th.
There was surface flooding due to blocked drains in Heretaunga Street.
The worst hit areas included Williams Street in Mahora, and Caernarvon Drive and Henderson Road in Flaxmere.
Heavy Rain
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Napier
Hawke's Bay was hit by heavy rain on the 24th and surface flooding caused minor problems. On Napier's Dickens Street, there were several stores at risk of flooding on the 24th.
Flooding
Napier was hit again by heavy rain and it received half its May average of rain in seven hours on the 29th.
The low pressure system which dragged the rain in struck hardest along eastern coastal areas.
Napier recorded 46.8 mm (4.68 cm) of rain in seven hours between 2pm and 9pm on the 29th.
Streets were flooded in suburban areas and in some areas the floodwaters were up to half a metre deep. Several roads were closed until water receded on the 30th.
Landslide
Worst hit was Napier Hill, where slips closed several streets and roads.
Four homes in Faraday Street, on Napier Hill, had to evacuate their home after a slip came down. One family was left temporarily homeless after the bank at the front of their property slipped away, crushing a car and bursting sewage and water pipes.
Three cars and their occupants were trapped at the Bluff Hill lookout when trees and a part of a bank fell across the road. The group were rescued by the fire service. Main Road on Bluff Hill was also closed, with a fallen tree blocking the way through.
Multi Hazard
The Salvation Army base at Faraday Street had sidnificant damage to many of its buildings, with a layer of silt and water covering the floor in both the Family Store and the recreation centre. A slip also pushed a hole through the wall of another building, trapping the Salvation Army emergency services caravan and crushing the bonnet of a work car.
Wellington
Flooding
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Wellington
Water flowed on to properties in the northern suburb of Tawa, as well as in Porirua's Titahi Bay. Civil Defence was on alert to evacuate homes but this was avoided as heavy rain subsided.
Heavy Rain
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Castlepoint
Castlepoint recorded 91 mm (9.1 cm) of rain from 8pm on the 24th to 8am on the 25th of May.
Flooding
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Titahi Bay
Several roads around Titaho Bay were closed as surface flooding sent cars floating down them.
Heavy Rain
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Upper Hutt
Wallaceville, a suburb of Upper Hutt, recorded 22 mm (2.2 cm) of rain overnight of the 24th.
Heavy Rain
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Wellington International Airport
Wellington Airport recorded 17 mm (1.7 cm) of rain overnight of the 24th.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
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Canterbury
It was the wettest week in Canterbury for 36 years. Some parts of Canterbury recorded over 163 mm (16.3 cm) of rain in seven days.
Flooding
It was estimated that about $100,000 would be spent fixing unsealed roads in the Rangitata Gorge and Peel Forest, which received scouring from heavy rain.
Waimate district roads received minor damage and it was estimated to cost $100,000 to repair. This amount did not include the damage to Bradshaws Bridge which was still under water on the 1st of June.
There were many closed roads in the Waimate district on the 26th of May. The areas of concern were Morven, Glenavy and Ikawai with many roads closed because of extensive flooding.
A small low-pressure system with thick cloudbands moved towards the Canterbury coast into a freezing southerly air mass on the 28th of May.
The Inland Road between Waiau and State Highway 1, south of Kaikoura, was closed on the 27th after heavy rain washed out the road at Lulu's Creek. The washout caused some residents in the Mt Terako and whalesback area, near My Lyford, to lose phone lines. Leamington Ford and Nape Nape, near Cheviot, were both impassable, and Chaffeys Road, near Waiau, was closed.
Cleaning up the weeks flood damage was likely to cost millions of dollars in the Waitaki district. It was estimated that the damage to roads in the district would cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the Waitaki district there were about 120 local road closures, apart from state highways, on the 26th of May. People and properties were cut off or surrounded by floodwaters.
The Waitaki District Emergency Management Office was fully activated.
Flooding
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Arowhenua
The Temuka River rose and caused some flooding in the Arowhenua area.
Heavy Rain
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Christchurch
Riccarton Road recorded 178.5 mm (17.85 cm) of rain over two days.
Parts of Christchurch recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain from the night of the 25th to the night of the 26th. This was more than a month's rain in less than 24 hours.
Flooding
The deluge caused flooding around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Flooding forced the closure of Hunter Tce in Opawa, Wigram Road in Sockburn, and Kinloch Road in Little River, and road maintenance crews worked to clear several other streets along the riverside. There was also flooding in Colombo Street, near the intersection with Dyers Pass Road.
The Avon breached its banks in the afternoon of the 26th around New Brighton Road, from Avondale Road to Anzac Drive, and flooded the road near the Wainoni bridge.
Wastewater overflowed into the Avon and Heathcote rivers at four sites on the 26th but all were within resource consent conditions.
Landslide
A landslip closed the Summit Road between Dyers Pass Road and Gebbies Pass Road in Christchurch on the 31st of May.
Landslide
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Duntroon
There was a collapse of a rock outcrop at the Takiroa rock art site, near Duntroon, as a result of the heavy rain. The rare examples of Maori art survived but the collapse crushed part of the security structure surrounding the art and destroyed landscaping and fencing.
Heavy Rain
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Mount Hutt Skifield
Mount Hutt Ski Area recorded 230 mm (23.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Snow / Ice
Mount Hutt Ski Area received 20 cm of snow on the 27th.
Flooding
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Loburn North
A North Loburn resident said it was the worst flooding she had seen for 15 years.
Flooding
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Sheffield
Roads were closed near Sheffield.
Flooding
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Springfield
Roads were closed near Springfield.
Flooding
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Temuka
All schools in Temuka and Pleasant Point were closed on the 26th.
Flooding
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Timaru
Several roads in the Levels, Arowhenua, Milford/Clandeboye, Rosewill and Washdyke areas were closed.
Timaru residents had to conserve water as the sity was relying solely on the water stored at the treatment plant. Untreated water was cut off as it sould have caused contamination.
The repair to the water system was estimated to cost up to $150,000 at the Orari River, Te Ngawai and Te Moana.
Excavators opened the gravel-choked river mouths of Saltwater Creek, south of Timaru, and Washdyke Creek, north of the city, to lower the flooding risk.
Otago
Heavy Rain
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Otago
West Otago recorded 35 mm ( 3.5 cm) of rain on the 26th.
Flooding
The flooding was about the third-highest event since the 1986 flooding in North Otago and the third-highest on the Taieri at Outram since 1968.
Potholes and debris covered roads throughout the Clutha district.
There were no reports of major damage to property and the region's infrastructure seems to have escaped major structural damage.
SH82 was closed. SH83 was closed between Pukeuri and Kurow. SH1 was closed between Waitaki Bridge and Pukeuri and was also closed at Maheno and Palmerston. SH1 was closed south of Waikouaiti for about two hours on the 25th after the Waikouaiti River began flowing across the road. SH1 north of Pukeuri was finally opened on the morning of the 31st of May after almost a week of being closed.
Two bridges were underwater, over the Kauru River on Switchback Road and on Loop Road off State Highway 85.
Many rural schools were closed of the 26th including St Kevin's College and Waitaki Boys', Waitaki Girls', East Otago High Schools and the local primary schools.
The army was called in to help Noth Otago residents stranded by flooding. The soldiers and two unimogs accessed areas cut off by heavy rain and delivered supplies.
The rain compromised water quality and all residents on rural water supplies were told to boil their water and conserve as much as possible. The following water supplies were shut down due to flooded intakes: Awamoko, Dunback, Hampden, Moeraki, Herbert, Waianakarua, Kauru Hill, Lower Waitaki, Goodwood and Windsor.
While the rainfall was prolonged and caused havoc, the floods did not rank particularly highly compared with historical events.
Snow / Ice
Snow fell in higher parts of inland Otago on the 27th of May.
State Highway 87 between Outram and Middlemarch and State Highway 85 between Palmerston and Kyeburn were closed because of snow on the 27th of May.
Heavy Rain
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Albert Burn
Albert Burn recorded 20.5 mm (2.05 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Albert Burn recorded 57 mm (5.7 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Flooding
at
Allanton
Floodwater covered the railway line south of Allanton for five days and stopped trains.
Flooding
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Alma
A railway underpass at Alma on SH1 was closed.
Heavy Rain
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Balclutha
Balclutha recorded 60 mm (6.0 cm) of rain on the 26th.
Heavy Rain
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Cascade Hut
Cascade Hut recorded 19 mm (1.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Cascade Hut recorded 37 mm (3.7 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Flooding
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Clifton Falls homestead
Kakanui River had a peak discharge of 443 cumecs at Clifton Falls (close to the second-highest peak discharge of 452 recorded in July 1994).
Flooding
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Deep Stream
Deep Stream had a discharge of 129.5 cumecs at State Highway 87 at 8:30pm on the 25th.
Heavy Rain
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Dunedin
Dunedin recorded 77 mm (7.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 25th.
Flooding
Road closures around Dunedin due to flooding included: Garthmyl Road from Middlemarch to Mt Ross Road, Flagstaff/Whare Flat Road, the full length of Henley Road in Taieri, all roads with fords for rivers/stream crossings within DCC boundaries (including sites on Gladfield Road, Ravensburn Street, McIntosh Road, Miller Road, Waitati Valley Road), Riverside Road from Bush Road to School Road in Taieri, George King Memorial Drive from Whare Creek to Lee Stream and Silverstream Valley Road.
There was atleast 18 vehicle crashes around Dunedin in 48 hours up to the morning of the 27th.
Sports grounds were closed and there was minor flooding around Dunedin city.
The occupants of one Dunedin house were evacuated and several other properties cleared after sewerage backed up.
Sewage had backed up in parts of Mosgiel and in several parts of Dunedin, including Northeast Valley and South Dunedin.
Flagstaff Creek overflowed, closing Three Mill Hill Road linking Dunedin with Mosgiel for a period in the morning of the 25th.
The Water of Leith reched a peak discharge of 47 cumecs on the 25th before steadily dropping.
Landslide
There was a big slip on Portobello Road between Castlewood Road and Broad Bay which took with it three large trees and a shed and was more than 1000 cubic metres in volume. Other major slips affected Waitati Valley, Mt Cargill and Rosehill Roads. There was a large slip that closed Highcliff Road at the Sandymount Road intersection on the 25th.
Heavy Rain
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Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded 123 mm (12.3 cm) of rain over 52 hours to 4pm on the 26th.
Dunedin Airport recorded 243 mm (24.3 cm) of rain fell between 24th and 31st of May.
Dunedin Airport recorded 79 mm (7.9 cm) of rain fell in 24 hours on the 28th.
Flooding
at
Hampden
There was surface flooding of SH1 at Hampden.
Flooding
at
Hilderthorpe
State Highway 1 near Hilderthorpe was covered by up to 1 m of water.
Flooding
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Kakanui River
Kakanui River had a peak discharge of 900 cumecs.
Flooding
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Kauru River
Kauru River had a peak discharge of 100 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
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Makarora
Makarora recorded 4.5 mm (0.45 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Makarora recorded 33 mm (3.3 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Heavy Rain
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Matukituki River
Matukituki Valley recorded 1.5 mm (1.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours to noon on the 26th.
Matukituki Valley recorded 20.5 mm (2.05 cm) of rain in seven days to the 26th of May.
Flooding
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Milton
One person evacuated their house voluntarily on the 26th of May as water pooled in Milton's lower streets.
Heavy Rain
at
Oamaru
Oamaru recorded 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain from the 24th to the 26th of May.
Oamaru recorded 146 mm (14.6 cm) of rain from noon on the 24th to 9pm on the 25th of May.
Oamaru recorded 87 mm (8.7 cm) of rain in 12 hours up to 8am on the 25th.
Flooding
Oamaru Creek burst its banks and closed Chelmer Street and Old Mill Road.
Oamaru was isolated by the worst flooding in more than a decade. SH1 north and south of the town was impassable on the 25th and bypass roads were also flooded, cutting off the town.
Dacre Street and Brent Street were evacuated.
Most Oamaru schools and kindergartens were closed.
The grounds of Oamaru Intermediate School were flooded.
The Top 10 Holiday Park in Oamaru Gardens was closed. Other parts of town hit by flooding were Lowther, Dacre and Brent Streets.
On the 25th waterways including Kakanui River were at their banks while Island Stream and Oamaru Creek had both burst their banks.
Flooding
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Outram
Taieri River had a peak discharge of 1198 cumecs at Outram.
Taieri River spilled over its floodbanks near Outram on the morning of the 26th.
Landslide
On the 30th of May a massive landslip swept through Berwick Forest camground, near Outram, shifting a building where up to 42 people were sleeping. The campers were transferred to the caretaker's premises before being evacuated to Dunedin.
Flooding
at
Palmerston
State Highway 1 was closed north of Palmerston until mid-morning on the 26th.
Flooding closed Factory Road, Switchback Road, and Patterson Road on the outskirts of Palmerston on the 26th.
About 3500 residents of Palmerston were on restricted water supplies to prevet contamination from polluted water.
Heavy Rain
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Peats Hut
Peats Hut on the Shotover River recorded 18.5 mm (1.85 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 1pm on the 26th.
Flooding
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Richmond
There were reports of flooding affecting properties at Richmond on the 25th. The residents of a house in York Street, Richmond, were forced to evacuate their home.
Flooding
at
Riverside
About eight farms at Riverside, near Outram, were affected by the flooding of the Taieri River.
Flooding
at
Silver Stream
Silver Stream had a peak discharge of 133 cumecs.
Heavy Rain
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Sullivans Dam
Sullivans Dam recorded 130 mm (13.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 25th.
Sullivans Dam recorded 250 mm (25.0 cm) of rain over 52 hours to 4pm on the 26th.
Heavy Rain
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The Dasher
Dasher recorded 211 mm (21.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 25th.
Dasher in North Otago recorded 260.5 mm (26.05 cm) of rain in two days (almost breaking the highest rainfall record of 265 mm in January 2002).
Heavy Rain
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Waitahuna
Waitahuna received 76 mm (7.6 cm) of rain from the 24th to the 26th.
Flooding
Some low-lying properties in the Waitahuna Valley had water on them.
References
- MetService Email Lists
- Otago Region Emergency Management Group, Media Release, Tuesday 25 May 0945hrs.
- Headline: Seas do fresh harm to Clifton shoreline.
- www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz, 1st June 2010.
- Headline: LEAD STORY: The Wild Wet.
- www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz, 31st May 2010.
- Headline: Salvation Army hit in storm.
- www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz, 31st May 2010.
- Headline: Worst of wet weather expected overnight.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 24th May 2010, 7:32pm.
- Headline: Bad weather front sparks evacuation.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 8:01am.
- Headline: Flood bill could be millions.
- www.odt.co.nz, 1st June 2010, 5:03am.
- Headline: Coastal rivers under watch as rain continues.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 4:59am.
- Headline: Flooding, sewage, slip keep works crews busy.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 5:02am.
- Headline: Coastal Otago awash.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 5:03am.
- Headline: Latest flood updates: Wednesday.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 7:35am.
- Headline: Taieri River spills over.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 8:34am.
- Headline: Army called in to North Otago.
- www.odt.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 9:00am.
- Headline: Flooding halts Manuka Gorge work.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Maori rock art undamaged in huge rock fall.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Big wet to big chill.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 5:03am.
- Headline: Snow closes state highway.
- www.odt.co.nz, 27th May 2010, 8:03am.
- Headline: Snow follows floods.
- www.odt.co.nz, 28th May 2010, 5:02am.
- Headline: Latest weather conditions update.
- www.odt.co.nz, 28th May 2010, 8:12am.
- Headline: A deluge of May rainfall records.
- www.odt.co.nz, 2nd June 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: 'Phenomenal' noise as cliff slips.
- www.odt.co.nz, 2nd June 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Deluge, winds forecast for the country.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 24th May 2010, 1:26pm.
- Headline: Bad weather set to get worse - MetService.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 10:31am.
- Headline: Oamaru floods 'worst in decade'.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 11:32am.
- Headline: Snow to follow South Island floods.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 25th May 2010, 2:42pm.
- Headline: After the mopping up, prepare to shiver.
- www.stuff.co.nz, 26th May 2010, 6:54pm.
- Headline: $1.5m in storm claims so far.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 31st May 2010, 9:22pm.
- Headline: Avon and Heathcote near spillover.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 26th May 2010, 3:00pm.
- Headline: One month's rain in a day.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 27th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Snow, hail and sleet hit South Island.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 28th May 2010, 5:00am.
- Headline: Landslip closes Christchurch road.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 31st May 2010, 10:56am.
- Headline: Sunshine ends wettest week in 36 years.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Press, 31st May 2010, 9:30am.
- Headline: Flood cleanup will cost millions.
- www.stuff.co.nz, Source: The Timaru Herald, 1st June 2010, 5:00am.
- Insurance Council of New Zealand (www.icnz.org.nz/current/weather)