NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
November 1999 South Island Flooding
(
1999-11-14
)
150
Days of heavy rain led to heavy flooding in Southland, Otago, Canterbury and the West Coast. Civil defence emergencies were declared in parts of Otago.
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 5 days - From the 14th till the 18th of November.
The Return Period was said to be 150 years.
There was a sustained period of strong northwesterlies over the South Island from the 14th. A front became entrained in this flow and the release of potential instability over the Alps produced severe thunderstorms.
The heavy rain was caused by a front that stalled over the area as a broad, active trough approached from the Tasman Sea. A blocking ridge lay over and east of the North Island. The equatorwards entrance zone to a jet developed over the southern South Island, and this, along with a short wave trough, lead to an invigoration of the front. The release of potential instability over the Alps produced severe thunderstorms. On the 17th, a wave developed on the trough and delayed eastward progress of the system over the southern South Island. The original frontal cloud band remained almost stationary over Fiordland for 2 1/2 days. Late on the 16th and early 17th, a southerly change pushed northwards over the south of the South Island. The air became progressively colder in that southerly flow but the upper level flow remained northwesterl, resulting in significant overrunning rainfall. The equatorward entrance region lay over the southern South Island until late on the 17th before starting to pull away. About this time, the front finally started to make more definite northward progress.
Moist northwesterlies and continuous electrical storms produced torrential rainfall in Fiordland, south Westland and the Southern Alps.
Insurance industry payouts totalled $46,100,000 ($59,322,900 2008 dollars).
Power, water and telephone links were cut and roads were closed, including State Highways.
Road repairs were estimated at $2,000,000 ($2,573,700 2008 dollars).
There were over 1000 evacuations.
Flooding
Flooding affected the areas of Fiordland, South Westland, Clutha River, Otago and Southland.
Businesses and homes were inundated in numerous towns.
Heavy Rain
The main divide received an estimated 600 mm (60.0 cm) of rain during one 24-hour period.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
Haast
Haast recorded a peak rainfall of 111 mm (11.1 cm) in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
The Roaring Billy
The Roaring Billy recorded a maximum 72 hour rainfall of 695 mm (69.5 cm) on the 14th.
The Roaring Billy recorded a maximum 24 hours rainfall of 395 mm (39.5 cm) on the 15th.
The Roaring Billy recorded a maximum 12 hours rainfall of 271 mm (27.1 cm) on the 16th.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Cook
Mt Cook recorded 411 mm (41.1 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period over 150 years).
Otago
Multi Hazard
at
Otago
Surface flooding and slips closed roads throughout the region.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Central Otago District from 8:30am on the 17th until 5pm on the 19th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Clutha District from 7:18pm on the 18th until 1:00pm on the 21st.
Flooding
Central Otago had some of the worst floods of the century.
The floods affected 400 crew and cast filming "The Lord Of The Rings", having washed a complete film set away.
Flooding
at
Alexandra
Lower parts of Alexandra were inundated by the Clutha River, with homes flooded.
The Clutha River was in high flood, flowing six times its normal volume.
About 200 homes and businesses in Alexandra were evacuated due to flooding.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Alexandra, which lasted for two weeks.
The Clutha River peaked at 142.5 m at Alexandra on the 18th, 7.5 m above normal.
Water and sewerage systems were disabled.
Nine homes were destroyed, with water up to their eaves.
This was a new record flood for Alexandra.
The flood became an election issue - flooding in Alexandra over recent years had been exacerbated by sediment settling in Lake Roxburgh after the construction of the hydroelectric dam in 1956.
Flooding
at
Arthurs Point
In Gorge Rd, a resident awoke to find floodwaters had surged through the ground floor, demolishing the living room.
Flooding
at
Balclutha
Homes were inundated in Balclutha.
110 people were evacuated in Balclutha.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Balclutha.
Flooding
at
Clyde
The spillway at Clyde Dam was flung open, releasing a torrent of water down the river at 3200 cumecs (normal flow 500 cumecs).
Flooding
at
Ettrick
Flooding occurred at Ettrick.
Flooding
at
Glenorchy
Road washouts isolated Glenorchy, also cutting off Kinloch.
Flooding
at
Kaitangata
Homes were inundated in Kaitangata.
30 people were evacuated in Kaitangata due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu ran extremely high and flooded its foreshore.
Lake Wakatipu reached a peak of 312.7 m above sea level on the 18th. This was its highest level on record, surpassing the record set in 1878 by half a metre.
Snow / Ice
When the rain subsided, heavy snow began to fall in the hills around the Wakatipu basin.
Flooding
at
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka ran extremely high and flooded its foreshore.
Lake Wanaka reached a level of 281.3 m - its highest level since September 1878.
Heavy Rain
at
Makarora
Makarora recorded 290 mm (29.0 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period 8 years).
Flooding
at
Millers Flat
Flooding occurred at Millers Flat.
Tho whole of Millers Flat was evacuated.
Multi Hazard
at
Mount Aspiring
A number of trampers on Mt Aspiring were afftected by the storm. Two climbers were on Mt Aspiring on the 13th when bad weather forced one man suffering from exposure to stay in a snow cave on the Bonar Glacier while the other went for help. The man was rescued on the 18th after three nights alone in the 3m-deep snow cave.
Heavy Rain
at
Peats Hut
The Shotover at Peats recorded 129 mm (12.9 cm) of rain in 42 hours (Return Period 15 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Queenstown received 100 mm (10 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Queenstown received 205 mm (20.5 cm) of rain in 72 hours - a record 72 hour rainfall for Queenstown (previous record in 1871).
Flooding
The central business area of Queenstown was engulfed by Lake Waktipu on the 17th, with more than one third being inundated. Homes were also flooded. Some buildings were inundated for a whole week.
135 Queenstown businesses were directly affected by the floods, another 20 suffered water damage, and 12 were hit by road closures and lack of access.
The flooding cost Queenstown business owners $60 million (2006).
Walls of water and debris overturned cars.
This was the worst single flood in Queenstown for 121 years.
Businesses were waist-deep in water, some with water to 1.5 m deep.
Multi Hazard
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Queenstown.
Landslide
There was a massive slip on the Frankton Road at Queenstown. A large section moved towards Lake Wakatipu, leaving houses twisted and moved off their piles. Another slip estimated to cover 4ha buried a new commercial stables building at Walter Peak.
64 houses were evacuated when they were threatened by landslips.
Heavy Rain
at
Rees Valley station
Rees Valley Station recorded 275 mm (27.5 cm) of rain in four days (Return Period 100 years).
Flooding
at
Roxburgh
Flooding occurred at Roxburgh.
Houses were evacuated in Roxburgh.
Flooding
at
Wanaka
The central business area of Wanaka was engulfed by Lake Wanaka on the 17th and homes were also inundated. An estimated 60 central businesses were affected by the flooding.
The flood in Wanaka was described as the worst in history.
Roads leading in and out of town were cut off. Boats replaced cars in the main street.
The water level in shops ranged from 30 cm to 1.5 m.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
Southland experienced some of the worst floods of the century.
The Oreti and Mataura Rivers reached record levels.
The Oreti River had an a.e.p. of about 10% and a flow of approximately 1,500-1,750 cumecs.
Multi Hazard
Surface flooding and slips closed roads throughout the region - more than 50 in the Southland district alone.
Homes and businesses were evacuated.
Many schools sent students home early, and some closed altogether.
Snow / Ice
When the rain subsided, heavy snow began to fall in Te Anau, Lumsden, Mossburn and Athol.
Flooding
at
Cattle Flat
The Mataura River at Cattle Flat recorded a height of 4.21 m in November (normal 0.85 m).
Flooding
at
Centre Bush
The Oreti River at Centre Bush recorded a height of 3.80 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Dunrobin Station
The Aparima River at Dunrobin recorded a height of 2.59 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Clifden
The Waiau River at Clifden recorded a height of 4.88 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Etalvale Station
The Aparima River at Etalvale recorded a height of 2.76 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Fairlight
The Mataura River at Fairlight recorded a height of 3.44 m in November (normal 0.90 m).
Flooding
at
Freshford
The Waikaia River at Freshford recorded a height of 4.48 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Gore
The Mataura River at Gore recorded a height of 5.19 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Hamilton Burn
Hamilton Burn at Waterloo Rd recorded a height of 3.67 m in November (normal 1.20 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Homer Tunnel
Homer Tunnel received 400 mm (40 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill was well doused by rain but overall unscathed.
Flooding
Civil Defence staff remained on alert throughout the night of the 17th as the Oreti River swelled upstream to dangerously high levels.
The Waihopai River at the Dam H/W recorded a height of 6.56 m in November (normal 3.50 m).
Otepuni Creek at the Dam H/W recorde a height of 9.97 m in November (normal 7.80 m).
Kingswell Creek at the Dam H/W recorded a height of 10.95 m (normal 8.60 m).
Flooding
at
Irthing Stream
Irthing Stream at Ellis Road recorded a height of 3.45 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Kennington
The Waihopai River at Kennington recorded a height of 4.39 m in November (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Lumsden
The Oreti River at Lumsden C/W recorded a height of 2.55 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Makarewa Junction
The Makarewa River at Counsell Road recorded a height of 6.62 m in November (normal 1.40 m).
Flooding
at
Makarewa River
The Makarewa River had a peak flow of 464 cumecs.
Flooding
at
Mandeville
Waimea Stream at Mandeville recorded a height of 4.51 min November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Mataura
Businesses and homes were inundated in Mataura.
The Mataura River at Mataura recorded a height of 8.35 m in November.
Heavy Rain
at
Milford Sound
Milford Sound recorded a peak rainfall of 326 mm (32.6 cm) in 24 hours (Return Period 7 years).
Milford Sound recorded 651 mm (65.1 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period 40 years).
Landslide
Mud and rockslides trapped more than 200 people at Milford.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
The Oreti River at Three Kings recorded a height of 2.05 m in November (normal 0.50 m).
Flooding
at
Otapiri
Otapiri Stream at McBrides recorded a height of 3.64 m in November (normal 0.70 m).
Flooding
at
Otautau
Otautau Stream at Otautau recorded a height of 4.22 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Parawa
The Mataura River at Parawa recorded a height of 6.03 m in November (normal 1.20 m).
Flooding
at
Piano Flat
The Waikaia River at Piano Flat recorded a height of 4.11 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Pyramid
The Mataura River at Pyramid recorded a height of 4.04 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Seaward Downs
The Mataura River at Seaward Downs recorded a height of 6.25 m in November (normal 1.50 m).
Flooding
at
Sunnyside homestead
The Waiau River at Sunnyside recorded a height of 6.46 m in November (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Thornbury
The Aparima River at Thornbury recorded a height of 3.69 m in November (normal 0.90 m).
Flooding
at
Tuatapere
The Waiau River at Tuatapere recorded a height of 6.38 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Tussock Creek
The Makarewa River at Tussock Creek recorded a height of 6.23 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Tuturau
The Mataura River at Tuturau recorded a height of 9.24 m in November (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waiau River
The Waiau River at Mararoa recorded a height of 7.46 m in November (normal 3.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waikaia
The Waikaia River at Waikaia recorded a height of 3.60 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waikiwi Stream
The Waikiwi Stream at Ferry Road recorded a height of 3.63 m in November (normally tidal).
Flooding
at
Wallacetown
The Oreti River at Wallacetown recorded a height of 5.41 m in November (normal 1.40 m).
Flooding
at
Willowbank
Waikaka Stream at Willowbank recorded a height of 2.84 m in November (normal 0.75 m).
Flooding
at
Winton
Winton Stream at the Dam recorded a height of 7.17 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Wyndham
The Mataura River at Wyndham recorded a height of 4.79 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Wyndham Stream at McKays recorded a height of 3.74 m in November (normal 1.70 m).
Flooding
at
Yellow Bluff
The Aparima River at Yellow Bluff recorded a height of 3.55 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
References
- Bradley, D. (2002). Riverine inundation. Environment Southland, Invercargill.
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies,
- Flood report July 2003, Environment Southland.
- Fraser, A. (2002). Weather hazards. 45°S Weather Services Ltd, Invercargill.
- Insurance Councils, The Cost of Weather Loses, Claims History (Updated 2004).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, to 31st May 2006.
- Headline: Storm could cost $100m.
- The Marlborough Express, 17 February 2004.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 79, December 1999.
- www.metservice/notable weather events.govt.nz
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Floodwaters ravage southern towns.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 18 November 1999.
- Headline: Tough nut survives snow ordeal.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 19 November 1999.
- Headline: Fine spell raises southern spirits.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 25 November 1999.
- Headline: Sandbags on standby as flooding threatens Queenstown.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 11 December 2001.
- Headline: Major South Island Floods.
- The Press,11 August 2007.
- Southland Regional Council (CD), River levels, Hokitika River and Westland catchments rainfall data.
- Headline: Business owners on red alert.
- The Southland Times, 1 December 2006.
- Headline: Rains spring devastating flooding.
- The Southland Times, Invercargill, Monday, January 1, 1999 - Friday, December 31, 1999, Special souvenir edition, A century of news, p 14 - 1999.
November 1999 South Island Flooding
(
1999-11-14
)
150
Days of heavy rain led to heavy flooding in Southland, Otago, Canterbury and the West Coast. Civil defence emergencies were declared in parts of Otago.
South Island
Multi Hazard
at
South Island
Duration: 5 days - From the 14th till the 18th of November.
The Return Period was said to be 150 years.
There was a sustained period of strong northwesterlies over the South Island from the 14th. A front became entrained in this flow and the release of potential instability over the Alps produced severe thunderstorms.
The heavy rain was caused by a front that stalled over the area as a broad, active trough approached from the Tasman Sea. A blocking ridge lay over and east of the North Island. The equatorwards entrance zone to a jet developed over the southern South Island, and this, along with a short wave trough, lead to an invigoration of the front. The release of potential instability over the Alps produced severe thunderstorms. On the 17th, a wave developed on the trough and delayed eastward progress of the system over the southern South Island. The original frontal cloud band remained almost stationary over Fiordland for 2 1/2 days. Late on the 16th and early 17th, a southerly change pushed northwards over the south of the South Island. The air became progressively colder in that southerly flow but the upper level flow remained northwesterl, resulting in significant overrunning rainfall. The equatorward entrance region lay over the southern South Island until late on the 17th before starting to pull away. About this time, the front finally started to make more definite northward progress.
Moist northwesterlies and continuous electrical storms produced torrential rainfall in Fiordland, south Westland and the Southern Alps.
Insurance industry payouts totalled $46,100,000 ($59,322,900 2008 dollars).
Power, water and telephone links were cut and roads were closed, including State Highways.
Road repairs were estimated at $2,000,000 ($2,573,700 2008 dollars).
There were over 1000 evacuations.
Flooding
Flooding affected the areas of Fiordland, South Westland, Clutha River, Otago and Southland.
Businesses and homes were inundated in numerous towns.
Heavy Rain
The main divide received an estimated 600 mm (60.0 cm) of rain during one 24-hour period.
West Coast
Heavy Rain
at
Haast
Haast recorded a peak rainfall of 111 mm (11.1 cm) in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
The Roaring Billy
The Roaring Billy recorded a maximum 72 hour rainfall of 695 mm (69.5 cm) on the 14th.
The Roaring Billy recorded a maximum 24 hours rainfall of 395 mm (39.5 cm) on the 15th.
The Roaring Billy recorded a maximum 12 hours rainfall of 271 mm (27.1 cm) on the 16th.
Canterbury
Heavy Rain
at
Mount Cook
Mt Cook recorded 411 mm (41.1 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period over 150 years).
Otago
Multi Hazard
at
Otago
Surface flooding and slips closed roads throughout the region.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Central Otago District from 8:30am on the 17th until 5pm on the 19th.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Clutha District from 7:18pm on the 18th until 1:00pm on the 21st.
Flooding
Central Otago had some of the worst floods of the century.
The floods affected 400 crew and cast filming "The Lord Of The Rings", having washed a complete film set away.
Flooding
at
Alexandra
Lower parts of Alexandra were inundated by the Clutha River, with homes flooded.
The Clutha River was in high flood, flowing six times its normal volume.
About 200 homes and businesses in Alexandra were evacuated due to flooding.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Alexandra, which lasted for two weeks.
The Clutha River peaked at 142.5 m at Alexandra on the 18th, 7.5 m above normal.
Water and sewerage systems were disabled.
Nine homes were destroyed, with water up to their eaves.
This was a new record flood for Alexandra.
The flood became an election issue - flooding in Alexandra over recent years had been exacerbated by sediment settling in Lake Roxburgh after the construction of the hydroelectric dam in 1956.
Flooding
at
Arthurs Point
In Gorge Rd, a resident awoke to find floodwaters had surged through the ground floor, demolishing the living room.
Flooding
at
Balclutha
Homes were inundated in Balclutha.
110 people were evacuated in Balclutha.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Balclutha.
Flooding
at
Clyde
The spillway at Clyde Dam was flung open, releasing a torrent of water down the river at 3200 cumecs (normal flow 500 cumecs).
Flooding
at
Ettrick
Flooding occurred at Ettrick.
Flooding
at
Glenorchy
Road washouts isolated Glenorchy, also cutting off Kinloch.
Flooding
at
Kaitangata
Homes were inundated in Kaitangata.
30 people were evacuated in Kaitangata due to flooding.
Flooding
at
Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu ran extremely high and flooded its foreshore.
Lake Wakatipu reached a peak of 312.7 m above sea level on the 18th. This was its highest level on record, surpassing the record set in 1878 by half a metre.
Snow / Ice
When the rain subsided, heavy snow began to fall in the hills around the Wakatipu basin.
Flooding
at
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka ran extremely high and flooded its foreshore.
Lake Wanaka reached a level of 281.3 m - its highest level since September 1878.
Heavy Rain
at
Makarora
Makarora recorded 290 mm (29.0 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period 8 years).
Flooding
at
Millers Flat
Flooding occurred at Millers Flat.
Tho whole of Millers Flat was evacuated.
Multi Hazard
at
Mount Aspiring
A number of trampers on Mt Aspiring were afftected by the storm. Two climbers were on Mt Aspiring on the 13th when bad weather forced one man suffering from exposure to stay in a snow cave on the Bonar Glacier while the other went for help. The man was rescued on the 18th after three nights alone in the 3m-deep snow cave.
Heavy Rain
at
Peats Hut
The Shotover at Peats recorded 129 mm (12.9 cm) of rain in 42 hours (Return Period 15 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Queenstown
Queenstown received 100 mm (10 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Queenstown received 205 mm (20.5 cm) of rain in 72 hours - a record 72 hour rainfall for Queenstown (previous record in 1871).
Flooding
The central business area of Queenstown was engulfed by Lake Waktipu on the 17th, with more than one third being inundated. Homes were also flooded. Some buildings were inundated for a whole week.
135 Queenstown businesses were directly affected by the floods, another 20 suffered water damage, and 12 were hit by road closures and lack of access.
The flooding cost Queenstown business owners $60 million (2006).
Walls of water and debris overturned cars.
This was the worst single flood in Queenstown for 121 years.
Businesses were waist-deep in water, some with water to 1.5 m deep.
Multi Hazard
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared in Queenstown.
Landslide
There was a massive slip on the Frankton Road at Queenstown. A large section moved towards Lake Wakatipu, leaving houses twisted and moved off their piles. Another slip estimated to cover 4ha buried a new commercial stables building at Walter Peak.
64 houses were evacuated when they were threatened by landslips.
Heavy Rain
at
Rees Valley station
Rees Valley Station recorded 275 mm (27.5 cm) of rain in four days (Return Period 100 years).
Flooding
at
Roxburgh
Flooding occurred at Roxburgh.
Houses were evacuated in Roxburgh.
Flooding
at
Wanaka
The central business area of Wanaka was engulfed by Lake Wanaka on the 17th and homes were also inundated. An estimated 60 central businesses were affected by the flooding.
The flood in Wanaka was described as the worst in history.
Roads leading in and out of town were cut off. Boats replaced cars in the main street.
The water level in shops ranged from 30 cm to 1.5 m.
Southland
Flooding
at
Southland
Southland experienced some of the worst floods of the century.
The Oreti and Mataura Rivers reached record levels.
The Oreti River had an a.e.p. of about 10% and a flow of approximately 1,500-1,750 cumecs.
Multi Hazard
Surface flooding and slips closed roads throughout the region - more than 50 in the Southland district alone.
Homes and businesses were evacuated.
Many schools sent students home early, and some closed altogether.
Snow / Ice
When the rain subsided, heavy snow began to fall in Te Anau, Lumsden, Mossburn and Athol.
Flooding
at
Cattle Flat
The Mataura River at Cattle Flat recorded a height of 4.21 m in November (normal 0.85 m).
Flooding
at
Centre Bush
The Oreti River at Centre Bush recorded a height of 3.80 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Dunrobin Station
The Aparima River at Dunrobin recorded a height of 2.59 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Clifden
The Waiau River at Clifden recorded a height of 4.88 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Etalvale Station
The Aparima River at Etalvale recorded a height of 2.76 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Fairlight
The Mataura River at Fairlight recorded a height of 3.44 m in November (normal 0.90 m).
Flooding
at
Freshford
The Waikaia River at Freshford recorded a height of 4.48 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Gore
The Mataura River at Gore recorded a height of 5.19 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Hamilton Burn
Hamilton Burn at Waterloo Rd recorded a height of 3.67 m in November (normal 1.20 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Homer Tunnel
Homer Tunnel received 400 mm (40 cm) of rain.
Heavy Rain
at
Invercargill
Invercargill was well doused by rain but overall unscathed.
Flooding
Civil Defence staff remained on alert throughout the night of the 17th as the Oreti River swelled upstream to dangerously high levels.
The Waihopai River at the Dam H/W recorded a height of 6.56 m in November (normal 3.50 m).
Otepuni Creek at the Dam H/W recorde a height of 9.97 m in November (normal 7.80 m).
Kingswell Creek at the Dam H/W recorded a height of 10.95 m (normal 8.60 m).
Flooding
at
Irthing Stream
Irthing Stream at Ellis Road recorded a height of 3.45 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Kennington
The Waihopai River at Kennington recorded a height of 4.39 m in November (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Lumsden
The Oreti River at Lumsden C/W recorded a height of 2.55 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Makarewa Junction
The Makarewa River at Counsell Road recorded a height of 6.62 m in November (normal 1.40 m).
Flooding
at
Makarewa River
The Makarewa River had a peak flow of 464 cumecs.
Flooding
at
Mandeville
Waimea Stream at Mandeville recorded a height of 4.51 min November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Mataura
Businesses and homes were inundated in Mataura.
The Mataura River at Mataura recorded a height of 8.35 m in November.
Heavy Rain
at
Milford Sound
Milford Sound recorded a peak rainfall of 326 mm (32.6 cm) in 24 hours (Return Period 7 years).
Milford Sound recorded 651 mm (65.1 cm) of rain in three days (Return Period 40 years).
Landslide
Mud and rockslides trapped more than 200 people at Milford.
Flooding
at
Oreti River
The Oreti River at Three Kings recorded a height of 2.05 m in November (normal 0.50 m).
Flooding
at
Otapiri
Otapiri Stream at McBrides recorded a height of 3.64 m in November (normal 0.70 m).
Flooding
at
Otautau
Otautau Stream at Otautau recorded a height of 4.22 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Parawa
The Mataura River at Parawa recorded a height of 6.03 m in November (normal 1.20 m).
Flooding
at
Piano Flat
The Waikaia River at Piano Flat recorded a height of 4.11 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
Flooding
at
Pyramid
The Mataura River at Pyramid recorded a height of 4.04 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Seaward Downs
The Mataura River at Seaward Downs recorded a height of 6.25 m in November (normal 1.50 m).
Flooding
at
Sunnyside homestead
The Waiau River at Sunnyside recorded a height of 6.46 m in November (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Thornbury
The Aparima River at Thornbury recorded a height of 3.69 m in November (normal 0.90 m).
Flooding
at
Tuatapere
The Waiau River at Tuatapere recorded a height of 6.38 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Tussock Creek
The Makarewa River at Tussock Creek recorded a height of 6.23 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Tuturau
The Mataura River at Tuturau recorded a height of 9.24 m in November (normal 2.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waiau River
The Waiau River at Mararoa recorded a height of 7.46 m in November (normal 3.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waikaia
The Waikaia River at Waikaia recorded a height of 3.60 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Waikiwi Stream
The Waikiwi Stream at Ferry Road recorded a height of 3.63 m in November (normally tidal).
Flooding
at
Wallacetown
The Oreti River at Wallacetown recorded a height of 5.41 m in November (normal 1.40 m).
Flooding
at
Willowbank
Waikaka Stream at Willowbank recorded a height of 2.84 m in November (normal 0.75 m).
Flooding
at
Winton
Winton Stream at the Dam recorded a height of 7.17 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Flooding
at
Wyndham
The Mataura River at Wyndham recorded a height of 4.79 m in November (normal 1.00 m).
Wyndham Stream at McKays recorded a height of 3.74 m in November (normal 1.70 m).
Flooding
at
Yellow Bluff
The Aparima River at Yellow Bluff recorded a height of 3.55 m in November (normal 0.80 m).
References
- Bradley, D. (2002). Riverine inundation. Environment Southland, Invercargill.
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies,
- Flood report July 2003, Environment Southland.
- Fraser, A. (2002). Weather hazards. 45°S Weather Services Ltd, Invercargill.
- Insurance Councils, The Cost of Weather Loses, Claims History (Updated 2004).
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, to 31st May 2006.
- Headline: Storm could cost $100m.
- The Marlborough Express, 17 February 2004.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 79, December 1999.
- www.metservice/notable weather events.govt.nz
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Floodwaters ravage southern towns.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 18 November 1999.
- Headline: Tough nut survives snow ordeal.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 19 November 1999.
- Headline: Fine spell raises southern spirits.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 25 November 1999.
- Headline: Sandbags on standby as flooding threatens Queenstown.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, Source: NZPA, 11 December 2001.
- Headline: Major South Island Floods.
- The Press,11 August 2007.
- Southland Regional Council (CD), River levels, Hokitika River and Westland catchments rainfall data.
- Headline: Business owners on red alert.
- The Southland Times, 1 December 2006.
- Headline: Rains spring devastating flooding.
- The Southland Times, Invercargill, Monday, January 1, 1999 - Friday, December 31, 1999, Special souvenir edition, A century of news, p 14 - 1999.