NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue

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ModerateOctober 1997 Wellington and South Island Storm ( 1997-10-03 )

10 years

A northwesterly storm and cold snap moved across southern and central districts from the 3rd to the 7th. The affected regions were Otago, Canterbury, Wellington and Tasman-Nelson. At Te Marua in Wellington, two women were killed when their car aquaplaned off the flooded road into the Hutt River.

New Zealand

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at New Zealand
Duration:   5  days - A northwesterly storm and cold snap moved across southern and central districts from the 3rd to the 7th. The affected regions were Otago, Canterbury, Wellington and Tasman-Nelson.
Comments:

CauseOn the 3rd, a trough progressed eastward over the Tasman Sea towards New Zealand and crossed the far south during the evening. A very strong north-west flow ahead of this trough was responsible for the gales over the southern and central districts. On the 4th, the trough slowed down due to development of a large deep low within the trough in the eastern Tasman Sea. It developed as a result of strong CVA west of the trough aided by the "lee low" effect in the southerly flow over the South Island which intensified rainfall over central New Zealand. On the 5th, the low formed a new centre east of the North Island and cold southerlies became established over the North Island. On the 6th, two lows moved away to the south-east and a disturbed southwesterly flow covered the country. A cold front within this flow crossed southern and central districts and moved off northern areas early on the 7th.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

CauseHigh intensity rainfall caused the most problems. The heaviest period of rainfall coincided with an "undercutting' southerly change. The cold air pushed underneath the milder, moist air hence adding to its speed of ascent.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactThe worst affected areas were Wellington and Horowhenua on the 4th. There was extensive flooding following heavy rain.

Damage CostThe El Nino flooding in 1997 cost the agricultural industry an estimated $1 billion.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

ImpactSqually southerly cold snap spread north along the east coast, bringing snow to 300 m in Canterbury and closing the Desert Road in the North Island on the 6th and 7th.

Wellington

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Wellington
Comments:

CommentWellington was hit by a northwesterly storm and cold snap from the 3rd to the 7th.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineAlong State Highway 1, north of Wellington City, a stormwater drain burst on the Ngauranga Gorge sending torrents of water and boulders down the highway directly into the path of traffic. It left behind a 1 km stretch of debris. About eight cars were trapped and had to be towed free by tow trucks and fire engines.

ImpactParts of Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa were isolated.

CommentThe Fire Service received more than 100 flood-related calls for help, including about 60 for flooding inside homes.

Affected LifelineGreys Road linking Pauatahanui and Plimmerton was closed and extreme care was needed on Paekakariki Hill road.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineIsolated landslips closed some Wellington roads and parts of State Highway 1.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedAt times the wind gust up to 110 km/hr.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Angle Knob
Map Location: -40.842802 175.416051
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAngle Knob part of the Tararuas recorded 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicAngle Knob part of the Tararuas recorded 450 mm (45.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Hutt River
Map Location: -41.162848 174.974804
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMore than 220 mm (22.0 cm) of rain was recorded in the Hutt River catchment.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThe downpour led to a 10-year flood.

Peak DischargeHutt River was in its fastest flow since 1981 and peaked at 1230 cumecs at 10pm on the 4th.

FloodingFlooding at Hutt Valley
Map Location: -41.162848 174.974804
Comments:

ImpactThere was extensive surface flooding and a number of properties and streets were flooded.

DamageThe Hutt River level reached a 20 year peak resulting in severe erosion along its banks. A large section of the Manor Park Golf course was eroded away. The golf club lost its practice fairway to floodwaters which scoured out about 200 metres of riverbank. Erosion caused damage in other places along the river, such as Nash Street and Elbow Park in Upper Hutt.

ImpactMore than 60 homes were flooded.

EvacueesOver 100 people were evacuated from 30 houses and one motel which were threatened as the river flooded the road and surrounded houses. 50 people were evacuated fro the Pharazyn Street area early on the night of the 4th.

Affected LifelineThe Hutt motorway was closed.

FloodingFlooding at Kahutara
Map Location: -41.22848 175.343626
Comments:

Affected LifelineKahutara Road was closed.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Lower Hutt
Map Location: -41.216677 174.934068
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicLower Hutt recorded 109 mm (10.9 cm) of rain in 27 hours.

Physical CharacteristicLower Hutt recorded 88 mm (8.8 cm) of rain in 4 hours.

Physical CharacteristicLower Hutt recorded 30 mm (3.0 cm) of rain in one hour.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

EvacueesLower Hutt riverside areas were evacuated.

FloodingFlooding at Ruamahanga River
Map Location: -41.102055 175.509442
Comments:

Peak River LevelRuamahanga River peaked at 4.4 m at Wardells Bridge on the 6th.

Peak River LevelRuamahanga River peaked 4.9 m at the Waihenga Bridge on the 6th.

Affected LifelineWaihenga Bridge was closed.

Physical CharacteristicThe river flowed at 4.7 m for 22 hours.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tararua Range
Map Location: -40.903116 175.33038
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTararua Range recorded 323.5 mm (32.35 cm) of rain.

FloodingFlooding at Taueru River
Map Location: -40.98958 175.76108
Comments:

Peak River LevelTaueru River peaked at 10.75 m at Weraiti.

FloodingFlooding at Te Marua
Map Location: -41.09148 175.12653
Comments:

CasualtiesA car with two passangers aquaplaned off the road into Hutt River at Te Marua and was swept away at 12.50pm on the 4th. The passengers, a 59 year old woman and a 22 year old woman, died.

Peak River FlowThe Hutt River at this point was moving at about 60 km/hr and rose about 8 cm in 30 minutes on the night of the 4th. It was too swift and too dirty for the police to enter to search for the passenger of the car.

FloodingFlooding at Waiohine River
Map Location: -40.968689 175.383781
Comments:

Peak River LevelWaiohine River peaked at 4.3 m at the gorge.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Wellington city
Map Location: -41.288771 174.777069
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedNorthwesterly winds were gusting to 130 km/hr at Kelburn and an average windspeed of 46-56 km/hr on the 4th.

Property DamageRoofing iron was lifted.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

InjuriesA Hilux collided with a truck and trailor unit seriously injuring the Hilux driver.

CommentThere was heavy rain and flooding on the 4th and 5th.

Affected LifelineMajor roads in and out of the city were blocked and many inner-city Wellington streets were closed. Palliser Road in Roseneath, Bayview Tce in Mt Victoria, Cecil Road in Wadestown and Highbury Road in Kelburn were all closed as council workers cleared slips.

ImpactEmergency services were stretched to the limit dealing with flooding, slips and accidents.

Tasman-Nelson

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Tasman-Nelson
Comments:

CommentGales were felt in the east South Island.

ImpactA bush fire which was fanned by gusty winds, threatened homes and caused evacuations overnight of the 3rd and 4th.

Canterbury

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Canterbury
Comments:

CommentGales felt in the east South Island

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

CommentThere was snow down to 300 m in Canterbury on the 6th and 7th.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at The Hermitage
Map Location: -43.7319 170.08778
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedNorthwesterly winds reached average speeds of 111 km/hr with gusts of 133 km/hr at The Hermitage (Mt Cook).

Otago

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Otago
Comments:

CommentGales were felt in the east South Island, especially Otago.

References

Major weather events in New Zealand, FLOODS AND HIGH RAINFALL, Floods to 31st July 2006
Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 71, December 1997.
Saunders, W.(2000) Planning and Resources, Hazard and Emergency Management Section, WAIRARAPA DIVISION, Wairarapa Storm Events 1880 - 1998, Technical Report No. 00/17
Headline: Death feared as storm hits.
Sunday Star Times, 5 October 1997.
Headline: Flood kills two, homes evacuated.
The Dominion, 6 October 1997.
Headline: Widower prays daughter's body will be found.
The Evening Post 7 October 1997.
Headline: Hutt River swallows golf fairway.
The Evening Post, 7 October 1997.
Headline: Gales expected to ease after night of havoc.
The Evening Post, October 4 1997.
Headline: Search on for flood victim.
The Evening Post, October 6 1997.
Headline: Climate vital to NZ prosperity.
The Press, 20 December 2001.
Headline: Two die as downpour creates chaos.
The Press, Source: NZPA, 6 October 1997.
www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz
Headline: Northwest storm followed by cold snap
www.metservice.co.nz/Learning Centre/Notable Weather Events Archive/ Spring 1997,

ModerateOctober 1997 Wellington and South Island Storm ( 1997-10-03 )

10 years

A northwesterly storm and cold snap moved across southern and central districts from the 3rd to the 7th. The affected regions were Otago, Canterbury, Wellington and Tasman-Nelson. At Te Marua in Wellington, two women were killed when their car aquaplaned off the flooded road into the Hutt River.

New Zealand

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at New Zealand
Duration:   5  days - A northwesterly storm and cold snap moved across southern and central districts from the 3rd to the 7th. The affected regions were Otago, Canterbury, Wellington and Tasman-Nelson.
Comments:

CauseOn the 3rd, a trough progressed eastward over the Tasman Sea towards New Zealand and crossed the far south during the evening. A very strong north-west flow ahead of this trough was responsible for the gales over the southern and central districts. On the 4th, the trough slowed down due to development of a large deep low within the trough in the eastern Tasman Sea. It developed as a result of strong CVA west of the trough aided by the "lee low" effect in the southerly flow over the South Island which intensified rainfall over central New Zealand. On the 5th, the low formed a new centre east of the North Island and cold southerlies became established over the North Island. On the 6th, two lows moved away to the south-east and a disturbed southwesterly flow covered the country. A cold front within this flow crossed southern and central districts and moved off northern areas early on the 7th.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain
Comments:

CauseHigh intensity rainfall caused the most problems. The heaviest period of rainfall coincided with an "undercutting' southerly change. The cold air pushed underneath the milder, moist air hence adding to its speed of ascent.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

ImpactThe worst affected areas were Wellington and Horowhenua on the 4th. There was extensive flooding following heavy rain.

Damage CostThe El Nino flooding in 1997 cost the agricultural industry an estimated $1 billion.

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

ImpactSqually southerly cold snap spread north along the east coast, bringing snow to 300 m in Canterbury and closing the Desert Road in the North Island on the 6th and 7th.

Wellington

Multi HazardMulti Hazard at Wellington
Comments:

CommentWellington was hit by a northwesterly storm and cold snap from the 3rd to the 7th.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

Affected LifelineAlong State Highway 1, north of Wellington City, a stormwater drain burst on the Ngauranga Gorge sending torrents of water and boulders down the highway directly into the path of traffic. It left behind a 1 km stretch of debris. About eight cars were trapped and had to be towed free by tow trucks and fire engines.

ImpactParts of Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa were isolated.

CommentThe Fire Service received more than 100 flood-related calls for help, including about 60 for flooding inside homes.

Affected LifelineGreys Road linking Pauatahanui and Plimmerton was closed and extreme care was needed on Paekakariki Hill road.

LandslideLandslide
Comments:

Affected LifelineIsolated landslips closed some Wellington roads and parts of State Highway 1.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedAt times the wind gust up to 110 km/hr.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Angle Knob
Map Location: -40.842802 175.416051
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicAngle Knob part of the Tararuas recorded 200 mm (20.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Physical CharacteristicAngle Knob part of the Tararuas recorded 450 mm (45.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Hutt River
Map Location: -41.162848 174.974804
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicMore than 220 mm (22.0 cm) of rain was recorded in the Hutt River catchment.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

CommentThe downpour led to a 10-year flood.

Peak DischargeHutt River was in its fastest flow since 1981 and peaked at 1230 cumecs at 10pm on the 4th.

FloodingFlooding at Hutt Valley
Map Location: -41.162848 174.974804
Comments:

ImpactThere was extensive surface flooding and a number of properties and streets were flooded.

DamageThe Hutt River level reached a 20 year peak resulting in severe erosion along its banks. A large section of the Manor Park Golf course was eroded away. The golf club lost its practice fairway to floodwaters which scoured out about 200 metres of riverbank. Erosion caused damage in other places along the river, such as Nash Street and Elbow Park in Upper Hutt.

ImpactMore than 60 homes were flooded.

EvacueesOver 100 people were evacuated from 30 houses and one motel which were threatened as the river flooded the road and surrounded houses. 50 people were evacuated fro the Pharazyn Street area early on the night of the 4th.

Affected LifelineThe Hutt motorway was closed.

FloodingFlooding at Kahutara
Map Location: -41.22848 175.343626
Comments:

Affected LifelineKahutara Road was closed.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Lower Hutt
Map Location: -41.216677 174.934068
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicLower Hutt recorded 109 mm (10.9 cm) of rain in 27 hours.

Physical CharacteristicLower Hutt recorded 88 mm (8.8 cm) of rain in 4 hours.

Physical CharacteristicLower Hutt recorded 30 mm (3.0 cm) of rain in one hour.

FloodingFlooding
Comments:

EvacueesLower Hutt riverside areas were evacuated.

FloodingFlooding at Ruamahanga River
Map Location: -41.102055 175.509442
Comments:

Peak River LevelRuamahanga River peaked at 4.4 m at Wardells Bridge on the 6th.

Peak River LevelRuamahanga River peaked 4.9 m at the Waihenga Bridge on the 6th.

Affected LifelineWaihenga Bridge was closed.

Physical CharacteristicThe river flowed at 4.7 m for 22 hours.

Heavy RainHeavy Rain at Tararua Range
Map Location: -40.903116 175.33038
Comments:

Physical CharacteristicTararua Range recorded 323.5 mm (32.35 cm) of rain.

FloodingFlooding at Taueru River
Map Location: -40.98958 175.76108
Comments:

Peak River LevelTaueru River peaked at 10.75 m at Weraiti.

FloodingFlooding at Te Marua
Map Location: -41.09148 175.12653
Comments:

CasualtiesA car with two passangers aquaplaned off the road into Hutt River at Te Marua and was swept away at 12.50pm on the 4th. The passengers, a 59 year old woman and a 22 year old woman, died.

Peak River FlowThe Hutt River at this point was moving at about 60 km/hr and rose about 8 cm in 30 minutes on the night of the 4th. It was too swift and too dirty for the police to enter to search for the passenger of the car.

FloodingFlooding at Waiohine River
Map Location: -40.968689 175.383781
Comments:

Peak River LevelWaiohine River peaked at 4.3 m at the gorge.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Wellington city
Map Location: -41.288771 174.777069
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedNorthwesterly winds were gusting to 130 km/hr at Kelburn and an average windspeed of 46-56 km/hr on the 4th.

Property DamageRoofing iron was lifted.

Multi HazardMulti Hazard
Comments:

InjuriesA Hilux collided with a truck and trailor unit seriously injuring the Hilux driver.

CommentThere was heavy rain and flooding on the 4th and 5th.

Affected LifelineMajor roads in and out of the city were blocked and many inner-city Wellington streets were closed. Palliser Road in Roseneath, Bayview Tce in Mt Victoria, Cecil Road in Wadestown and Highbury Road in Kelburn were all closed as council workers cleared slips.

ImpactEmergency services were stretched to the limit dealing with flooding, slips and accidents.

Tasman-Nelson

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Tasman-Nelson
Comments:

CommentGales were felt in the east South Island.

ImpactA bush fire which was fanned by gusty winds, threatened homes and caused evacuations overnight of the 3rd and 4th.

Canterbury

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Canterbury
Comments:

CommentGales felt in the east South Island

Snow / IceSnow / Ice
Comments:

CommentThere was snow down to 300 m in Canterbury on the 6th and 7th.

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at The Hermitage
Map Location: -43.7319 170.08778
Comments:

Peak Wind SpeedNorthwesterly winds reached average speeds of 111 km/hr with gusts of 133 km/hr at The Hermitage (Mt Cook).

Otago

High Wind GustsHigh Wind / Gust at Otago
Comments:

CommentGales were felt in the east South Island, especially Otago.

References

Major weather events in New Zealand, FLOODS AND HIGH RAINFALL, Floods to 31st July 2006
Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 71, December 1997.
Saunders, W.(2000) Planning and Resources, Hazard and Emergency Management Section, WAIRARAPA DIVISION, Wairarapa Storm Events 1880 - 1998, Technical Report No. 00/17
Headline: Death feared as storm hits.
Sunday Star Times, 5 October 1997.
Headline: Flood kills two, homes evacuated.
The Dominion, 6 October 1997.
Headline: Widower prays daughter's body will be found.
The Evening Post 7 October 1997.
Headline: Hutt River swallows golf fairway.
The Evening Post, 7 October 1997.
Headline: Gales expected to ease after night of havoc.
The Evening Post, October 4 1997.
Headline: Search on for flood victim.
The Evening Post, October 6 1997.
Headline: Climate vital to NZ prosperity.
The Press, 20 December 2001.
Headline: Two die as downpour creates chaos.
The Press, Source: NZPA, 6 October 1997.
www.metservice, notable weather events.govt.nz
Headline: Northwest storm followed by cold snap
www.metservice.co.nz/Learning Centre/Notable Weather Events Archive/ Spring 1997,