NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
October 1959 Hawke's Bay Flooding
(
1959-10-14
)
Heavy rain caused flooding in central Hawke's Bay and caused stock losses, crop damage and road closures.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Duration: 3 days - There was continuous rain over central Hawke's Bay over three days from the 14th to the 16th with particularly heavy concentrations over Napier.
The heaviest concentrations of rain were on the 16th.
Flooding
Small streams rose in the coastal range and ran wild on the flats covering residential areas, schoolgrounds, market gardens and orchards with rubble, sand, clay and debris of all kinds.
There was extensive surface flooding of thousands of acres including hundreds of residential sections.
Main rivers were not greatly affected and flooding was mainly due to overtaxed drainage systems.
Low lying areas of Napier, Taradale, Greenmeadows and Meeanee were badly affected along with Waimarama flats.
Gardens and orchards suffered considerable damage, especially at Bay View where many acres of early market crops were heavily inundated.
Stock losses occurred in both Waimarama and Taradale-Greenmeadows area.
Multi Hazard
Roads were blocked by numerous slips and washouts, which also caused disruption of power and telephone services.
Heavy Rain
at
Bay View
Bay View recorded over 5.41 in (13.74 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th (the rain gauge overflowed).
Heavy Rain
at
Maraetotara Lodge
Maraetotara recorded 6.45 in (16.38 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier recorded 6.39 in (16.23 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
The flooding in Taradale-Greenmeadows area was reputedly to be the worst in living memory.
Heavy Rain
at
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach recorded 4.75 in (12.07 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Tukituki River
Tukituki River had a peak discharge of 40,000 cusecs (1133 cumecs) at Black Bridge on the 16th, from a catchment area of 936 sq miles (2424 km^2). The gauge height was 30.8 ft (9.39 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Waimarama
Waimarama recorded 4.71 in (11.96 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
Damage at Waimarama was considerable.
References
- Owen, R.E. (1961). Hydrology Annual, No.7, 1959. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
October 1959 Hawke's Bay Flooding
(
1959-10-14
)
Heavy rain caused flooding in central Hawke's Bay and caused stock losses, crop damage and road closures.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
Duration: 3 days - There was continuous rain over central Hawke's Bay over three days from the 14th to the 16th with particularly heavy concentrations over Napier.
The heaviest concentrations of rain were on the 16th.
Flooding
Small streams rose in the coastal range and ran wild on the flats covering residential areas, schoolgrounds, market gardens and orchards with rubble, sand, clay and debris of all kinds.
There was extensive surface flooding of thousands of acres including hundreds of residential sections.
Main rivers were not greatly affected and flooding was mainly due to overtaxed drainage systems.
Low lying areas of Napier, Taradale, Greenmeadows and Meeanee were badly affected along with Waimarama flats.
Gardens and orchards suffered considerable damage, especially at Bay View where many acres of early market crops were heavily inundated.
Stock losses occurred in both Waimarama and Taradale-Greenmeadows area.
Multi Hazard
Roads were blocked by numerous slips and washouts, which also caused disruption of power and telephone services.
Heavy Rain
at
Bay View
Bay View recorded over 5.41 in (13.74 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th (the rain gauge overflowed).
Heavy Rain
at
Maraetotara Lodge
Maraetotara recorded 6.45 in (16.38 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier recorded 6.39 in (16.23 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
The flooding in Taradale-Greenmeadows area was reputedly to be the worst in living memory.
Heavy Rain
at
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach recorded 4.75 in (12.07 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
at
Tukituki River
Tukituki River had a peak discharge of 40,000 cusecs (1133 cumecs) at Black Bridge on the 16th, from a catchment area of 936 sq miles (2424 km^2). The gauge height was 30.8 ft (9.39 m).
Heavy Rain
at
Waimarama
Waimarama recorded 4.71 in (11.96 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 16th.
Flooding
Damage at Waimarama was considerable.
References
- Owen, R.E. (1961). Hydrology Annual, No.7, 1959. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.