NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
October 1998 New Zealand High Winds and Flooding
(
1998-10-18
)
2-65 years
Many parts of the country experienced high winds, heavy rain and flooding, which damaged property and roads. Extensive flooding occurred in Wellington. Civil Defence Emergencies were declared in Wellington and the West Coast. A man was killed in Canterbury when his car was hit by a falling tree.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 4 days - From the 18th to the 21st of October.
On the 18th, a broad, active trough moved into the Tasman Sea, and a very strong north-west pressure gradient built up over the South Island, bringing gales to eastern South Island districts. On the 19th, a cold front associated with the trough moved across the South Island, preceded by heavy rain in the west, and it slowed as it apporached central districts, causing flooding in Buller. On the 20th, the cold front became slow moving over the southern North Island. The front, now occluded and extremely active, lay slow moving over the Kapiti- Horowhenua districts. Rain extended over a broad area (Taranaki-Wellington), and was extra heavy in Kapiti-Horowhenua due to lines of convection embedded in the front.
A storm with north-westerly gales caused damage in eastern districts from Dunedin to Napier and in Wellington on the 18th and 19th.
Insurance Payouts for the whole event totalled $6.20 million ($8,020,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
High rainfall occurred in the west from Buller to King Country, including the northern and central South Island Alpine regions, the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington's Hutt Valley.
The ARI (Average Recurrence Interval) was as high as 65 years.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
Heavy rain hit the central North Island.
High Wind / Gust
Further north, northerly gales caused problems overnight on the 20th/21st. boats blown off moorings (Coromandel Peninsula), roofs lifted (BOP) power lines down (Gisborne).
Multi Hazard
New Zealand Post deliveries were delayed to the lower North Island.
South Island
High Wind / Gust
at
South Island
In the South Island, the winds felled trees and power lines, resulting in power cuts.
The wind lifted roofs.
Waikato
High Wind / Gust
at
Waikato
Boats were blown off their moorings at Coromandel Peninsula overnight on the 20th/21st.
Bay of Plenty
High Wind / Gust
at
Bay of Plenty
Winds lifted roofs in the Bay of Plenty overnight on the 20th/21st.
Gisborne
High Wind / Gust
at
Gisborne
Power lines were blown down in Gisborne overnight on the 20th/21st.
Gisborne had northerly wind gusts of 100 km/hr.
Hawke's Bay
High Wind / Gust
at
Hastings
Flaxmere recorded winds of 124 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Takapau
A truck was blown over at the southern end of the Takapau Plains, blocking State Highway 2.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Flooding
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy rain caused extensive flooding from Kapiti to Horowhenua.
Multi Hazard
The roads between Shannon and Levin, Tokomaru and Linton, and the Manawatu Gorge between Woodville and Ashhurst were judged impassable.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dannevirke
Fierce westerly winds were experienced in Dannevirke on the 20th and 21st.
Three trucks were blown over in the wind near Dannevirke.
The winds tore off roofs.
A pine tree came down across power lines.
The main street of Dannevirke was closed twice during the night of the 20th/21st when the roof of the Public Trust building threatened to lift off.
Landslide
at
Manawatu Gorge
A goods train ran into a slip in Manawatu Gorge on the 20th, derailed, and plunged 30m into the gorge.
State Highway 1 through Manawatu Gorge was closed.
High Wind / Gust
at
Matamau
A freight truck was blown over at Matamau.
High Wind / Gust
at
Norsewood
A truck was blown over south of Norsewood.
Flooding
at
Wanganui
At its peak, the Wanganui River flooded a commercial premise in Wanganui.
Homes in Wanganui were evacuated as a precaution.
Wanganui's water supply was contaminated.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington
Wellington experienced severe gales on the 19th.
Numerous houses in the region were damaged by high winds. Windows were blown in and park benches were blown about.
Boats broke their moorings, and a ship was also blown from its moorings.
Several power outages occurred.
Flooding
Heavy rain caused extensive flooding from Kapiti to Horowhenua.
The Ruamahanga River was in high flood.
The Ruamahanga River reached a peak level of 4.4m.
Some houses on the Kaipiti Coast were surrounded by over 1 m of water.
There was a shortage of drinking water on the Kapiti Coast.
Some houses were potentially contaminated by raw sewerage.
A trough of low pressure - the same weather pattern that flooded the Hutt Valley in December 1976.
The Return Period was estimated as a one-in-20-year event.
The flows in the Waikanae and Hutt Rivers were the highest in the last 25 years.
Landslide
Some roads were blocked by slips. There were slips on Kelburn Road, Raroa Road and Washington Ave.
Multi Hazard
There were traffic delays in Wellington on the 20th. State Highway 1 and the main trunk railway were both closed by floods and slips. Other roads closed included Rimutaka Hill Road, the Akatarawa Road, the Paekakariki Hill Road and the Martinborough-Masterton Road.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Kapiti Coast District at 1:05am on the 21st and was terminated at 1:00pm on the 22nd.
40 homes were evacuated.
There were road closures in the Wairarapa caused by slips and major flooding, and swollen rivers flowing out of the Tararua Ranges.
Heavy Rain
at
Angle Knob
Angle Knob recorded 48.5 mm (4.9 cm) of rain in one hour.
High Wind / Gust
at
Big Hill
Hau Nui wind farm (south of Martinborough) recorded a maximum gust of 207 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Castlepoint
Castlepoint recorded a maximum gust of 183 km/hr - the highest recorded since records began in 1972.
Castelpoint recorded average winds of 100 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cook Strait
Ferry sailings were cancelled due to the winds.
Maritime / Coastal
Swells in Cook Strait were moderate, at 1.5 m.
Flooding
at
Greytown
The Waiohine River at Greytown rose more than 2 m in 30 minutes.
Flooding
at
Hutt River
The Hutt River in Hutt Valley reached a 12-year peak.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitoke
Kaitoke recorded 119 mm (11.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 20th.
Kaitoke recorded 227 mm (22.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
High Wind / Gust
at
Lower Hutt
In the western hills of Lower Hutt a house was badly damaged by wind gusts.
Heavy Rain
Lower Hutt recorded 72 mm (7.2 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Flooding
Surface flooding caused problems in Lower Hutt.
The Hutt River removed 250 m^2 of land from the Manor Park Golf Course.
Heavy Rain
at
Masterton
Masterton recorded 41 mm (4.1 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Flooding
60 school children were evacuated from a camp on the 20th due to flood waters.
The Ruamahanga River had a 50-year flood at Masterton.
Flooding
at
Otaihanga
13 homes were evacuated in the Otaihanga area of Waikanae, ten of them in Makora Road.
Otaihanga was the worst area affected.
Flooding
at
Otaki
The Otaki and Waikanae Rivers flooded homes and properties, including a school.
State Highway 1 north of Otaki had one lane closed.
Flooding
at
Paeakakariki
Water supply and sewerage problems prompted evacuations in Paraparaumu and Paekakariki.
State Highway 1 was closed at MacKays Crossing. Paekakariki Hill Road was also closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu Airport recorded 100.6 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Paraparamu recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Paraparaumu recorded 114 mm (11.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 20th.
Flooding
Water supply and sewerage problems prompted evacuations in Paraparaumu and Paekakariki.
High Wind / Gust
at
Porirua
Three Porirua house roofs had to be tied down. The porch of a house on Conclusion Road was blown into a neighbour's property.
Multi Hazard
at
Pukerua Bay
State Highway 1 was closed at Pukerua Bay.
High Wind / Gust
at
Rimutaka Hill
Rimutaka Hill Road was closed on the 19th due to dangerous wind gusts.
High Wind / Gust
at
Seatoun
Beacon Hill recorded a maximum gust of 166 km/hr.
Heavy Rain
at
Tararua Range
The northern Tararua Ranges recorded 620 mm (62.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
The Tararua Ranges had a peak rainfall of 300 mm (30.0 cm).
Heavy Rain
at
Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt recorded 91 mm (9.1 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Flooding
In Upper Hutt, one person was rescued by helicopter and another made their own way out as water lapped their houses.
Flooding
at
Waikanae
The Waikanae River reached a 25-year peak.
Low lying areas in Waikanae were severely hit when the river burst its banks at Otaihanga and several other places.
The Otaki and Waikanae Rivers flooded homes and properties, including a school.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington International Airport
The wind made landings difficult for aircraft at Wellington Airport. About 70% of flights were cancelled or delayed out of Wellington on the 19th.
Wellington Airport recorded a maximum gust of 120 km/hr.
Heavy Rain
Wellington Airport recorded 51.6 mm (5.2 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Marlborough
High Wind / Gust
at
The Brothers
Brothers Island in Cook Strait recorded a maximum gust of 128 km/hr.
West Coast
Flooding
at
West Coast
Heavy rain caused flooding in Westland and Buller.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Buller District at 10:30pm on the 19th and was terminated at 1:40pm on the 20th.
Three bachs were evacuated at Waimare.
Heavy Rain
at
Ahaura River
Ahaura recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 77 mm, 4 mm, 1 mm, 10 mm, 23 mm, 6 mm, and 28 mm.
Ahaura recorded a maximum intensity of 9 mm (0.9 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Ahaura River at the Gorge recorded a peak level of 7.252 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 20 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Arapito
Arapito recorded 156 mm (15.6 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Flooding
Arapito Valley was severely flooded.
Flooding
at
Dobson
The Grey River at Dobson recorded a peak level of 6.683 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 10-20 years).
Flooding
at
Greymouth
Greymouth and north Westport were the worst affected areas.
Heavy Rain
at
Inangahua Landing
The Inangahua River at the Landing recorded a maximum 12-hour fall of 143 mm (14.3 cm) on the 19th.
Inangahua Landing recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 158 mm, 2 mm, 0 mm, 3 mm, 12 mm, 5 mm, and 33 mm.
Inangahua Landing recorded a maximum intensity of 8 mm (0.8 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Inangahua River at the Landing recorded a peak level of 5.025 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 2 years).
Flooding
at
Karamea
The Karamea River breached its banks.
66 people were evacuated at Karamea on the 19th.
Seven houses were inundated.
Heavy Rain
at
Karamea Gorge
The Karamea River at the Gorge recorded a maximum 48-hour fall of 193 mm (19.3 cm) on the 19th.
Karamea recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 139 mm, 1 mm, 6 mm, 18 mm, 9 mm, 7 mm, and 81 mm.
Karamea recorded a maximum intensity of 17 mm (1.7 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Karamea River at the Gorge recorded a peak level of 6.037 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 20 years).
The Karamea River at the Gorge had a peak flow of 3166 cumecs on the 19th.
Flooding
at
Lyell
The Buller River at Woolfs recorded a peak level of 6.581 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 2-5 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Moana
Moana recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 115 mm, 0 mm, 2 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, 3 mm, and 24 mm.
Moana recorded a maximum intensity of 15 mm (1.5 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
at
Seddonville
Six homes and a hotel were evacuated at Seddonville.
Heavy Rain
at
Sirdar Creek
Paparoa recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 158 mm, 11 mm, 30 mm, 55 mm, 30 mm, 26 mm, and 183 mm.
Paparoa recorded a maximum intensity of 16 mm (1.6 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
at
Te Kuha
The Buller River at Te Kuha recorded a peak level of 9.941 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 2-5 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Waipuna
Waipuna recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 73 mm, 4 mm, 2 mm, 13 mm, 32 mm, 7 mm, and 27 mm.
Waipuna recorded a maximum intensity of 10 mm (1.0 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Grey River at Waipuna recorded a peak level of 5.409 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 5-10 years).
Flooding
at
Waitahu
The Waitahu Bridge was washed out.
Flooding
at
Westport
Greymouth and north Westport were the worst affected areas.
Canterbury
High Wind / Gust
at
Canterbury
Canterbury experienced strong winds on the 18th 19th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Christchurch
At Christchurch Airport, aircraft were blown over.
High Wind / Gust
at
Darfield
A man died after his car was hit by a falling tree in Darfield.
Otago
High Wind / Gust
at
Otago
The Old Man Range had wind gusts of between 120-150 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Ardgour
Power was cut in the Ardgour area overnight when a tree crashed through a line.
High Wind / Gust
at
Coal Creek Flat
Power was cut in Dumbarton and Coal Creek.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dumbarton
Power was cut in Dumbarton and Coal Creek.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded wind gusts of up to 119 km/hr on the 18th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Ettrick
Power was cut for 15-20 people from Ettrick to Raes Junction.
High Wind / Gust
at
Ida Valley
Power was cut in Ida Valley when three power poles were knocked over by winds.
High Wind / Gust
at
Lake Hawea
Power was cut in Hawea and Makarora.
High Wind / Gust
at
Makarora
Power was cut in Hawea and Makarora.
High Wind / Gust
at
Moa Flat
Power was cut in Moa Flat when strong winds blew the water schemes control box off it post.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mosgiel
Power was cut from Mosgiel through Berwick when a chicken coop blew into the main lines.
High Wind / Gust
at
Port Chalmers
Three 12-metre long shipping containers were blown off the wharf at Port Chalmers on the 18th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Taiaroa Head
Taiaroa Head recorded winds of up to 114 km/hr on the 18th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waihola
Power was cut for a time at Waihola.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wanaka
Power was cut in Wanaka when two poles were blown down.
References
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies.
- Headline: Gales wreak havoc around region.
- The Evening Post, 19 October 1998.
- Headline: Winds clocked at 207km/h.
- The Evening Post, 20 October 1998.
- Headline: Coast soaked by 100mm of rain.
- The Evening Post, 21 October 21 1998.
- Headline: Floods, slips close roads, cut off Kapiti Coast.
- The Evening Post, 21 October 1998.
- Greater Wellington Regional Council. Meteorology and Hydrology of the 20-21 October 1998 and 27-28 October 1998 floods.
- Headline: Dannevirke bears brunt of wind.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 20 October 1998.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall to 31st May 2006.
- www.metservice.co.nz/ Learning Center / Notable Weather Events Archives / 1998 Spring Northwest storm brings gales and heavy rain.
- New Zealand Evacuations from 1 January 1886 to 1 January 2000.
- Headline: Cargo containers blown into harbour.
- Otago Daily Times, 20 October 1998.
- Headline: Storm cuts wide swathe through province.
- Otago Daily Times, 20 October 1998.
- Saunders, W. (2000). Planning and Resources, Hazard and Emergency Management Section, Wairarapa Division. Wairarapa Storm Events 1880-1998, Technical Report No. 00/17.
- Southland Regional Council (CD).
October 1998 New Zealand High Winds and Flooding
(
1998-10-18
)
2-65 years
Many parts of the country experienced high winds, heavy rain and flooding, which damaged property and roads. Extensive flooding occurred in Wellington. Civil Defence Emergencies were declared in Wellington and the West Coast. A man was killed in Canterbury when his car was hit by a falling tree.
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 4 days - From the 18th to the 21st of October.
On the 18th, a broad, active trough moved into the Tasman Sea, and a very strong north-west pressure gradient built up over the South Island, bringing gales to eastern South Island districts. On the 19th, a cold front associated with the trough moved across the South Island, preceded by heavy rain in the west, and it slowed as it apporached central districts, causing flooding in Buller. On the 20th, the cold front became slow moving over the southern North Island. The front, now occluded and extremely active, lay slow moving over the Kapiti- Horowhenua districts. Rain extended over a broad area (Taranaki-Wellington), and was extra heavy in Kapiti-Horowhenua due to lines of convection embedded in the front.
A storm with north-westerly gales caused damage in eastern districts from Dunedin to Napier and in Wellington on the 18th and 19th.
Insurance Payouts for the whole event totalled $6.20 million ($8,020,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy Rain
High rainfall occurred in the west from Buller to King Country, including the northern and central South Island Alpine regions, the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington's Hutt Valley.
The ARI (Average Recurrence Interval) was as high as 65 years.
North Island
Heavy Rain
at
North Island
Heavy rain hit the central North Island.
High Wind / Gust
Further north, northerly gales caused problems overnight on the 20th/21st. boats blown off moorings (Coromandel Peninsula), roofs lifted (BOP) power lines down (Gisborne).
Multi Hazard
New Zealand Post deliveries were delayed to the lower North Island.
South Island
High Wind / Gust
at
South Island
In the South Island, the winds felled trees and power lines, resulting in power cuts.
The wind lifted roofs.
Waikato
High Wind / Gust
at
Waikato
Boats were blown off their moorings at Coromandel Peninsula overnight on the 20th/21st.
Bay of Plenty
High Wind / Gust
at
Bay of Plenty
Winds lifted roofs in the Bay of Plenty overnight on the 20th/21st.
Gisborne
High Wind / Gust
at
Gisborne
Power lines were blown down in Gisborne overnight on the 20th/21st.
Gisborne had northerly wind gusts of 100 km/hr.
Hawke's Bay
High Wind / Gust
at
Hastings
Flaxmere recorded winds of 124 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Takapau
A truck was blown over at the southern end of the Takapau Plains, blocking State Highway 2.
Manawatu-Wanganui
Flooding
at
Manawatu-Wanganui
Heavy rain caused extensive flooding from Kapiti to Horowhenua.
Multi Hazard
The roads between Shannon and Levin, Tokomaru and Linton, and the Manawatu Gorge between Woodville and Ashhurst were judged impassable.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dannevirke
Fierce westerly winds were experienced in Dannevirke on the 20th and 21st.
Three trucks were blown over in the wind near Dannevirke.
The winds tore off roofs.
A pine tree came down across power lines.
The main street of Dannevirke was closed twice during the night of the 20th/21st when the roof of the Public Trust building threatened to lift off.
Landslide
at
Manawatu Gorge
A goods train ran into a slip in Manawatu Gorge on the 20th, derailed, and plunged 30m into the gorge.
State Highway 1 through Manawatu Gorge was closed.
High Wind / Gust
at
Matamau
A freight truck was blown over at Matamau.
High Wind / Gust
at
Norsewood
A truck was blown over south of Norsewood.
Flooding
at
Wanganui
At its peak, the Wanganui River flooded a commercial premise in Wanganui.
Homes in Wanganui were evacuated as a precaution.
Wanganui's water supply was contaminated.
Wellington
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington
Wellington experienced severe gales on the 19th.
Numerous houses in the region were damaged by high winds. Windows were blown in and park benches were blown about.
Boats broke their moorings, and a ship was also blown from its moorings.
Several power outages occurred.
Flooding
Heavy rain caused extensive flooding from Kapiti to Horowhenua.
The Ruamahanga River was in high flood.
The Ruamahanga River reached a peak level of 4.4m.
Some houses on the Kaipiti Coast were surrounded by over 1 m of water.
There was a shortage of drinking water on the Kapiti Coast.
Some houses were potentially contaminated by raw sewerage.
A trough of low pressure - the same weather pattern that flooded the Hutt Valley in December 1976.
The Return Period was estimated as a one-in-20-year event.
The flows in the Waikanae and Hutt Rivers were the highest in the last 25 years.
Landslide
Some roads were blocked by slips. There were slips on Kelburn Road, Raroa Road and Washington Ave.
Multi Hazard
There were traffic delays in Wellington on the 20th. State Highway 1 and the main trunk railway were both closed by floods and slips. Other roads closed included Rimutaka Hill Road, the Akatarawa Road, the Paekakariki Hill Road and the Martinborough-Masterton Road.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Kapiti Coast District at 1:05am on the 21st and was terminated at 1:00pm on the 22nd.
40 homes were evacuated.
There were road closures in the Wairarapa caused by slips and major flooding, and swollen rivers flowing out of the Tararua Ranges.
Heavy Rain
at
Angle Knob
Angle Knob recorded 48.5 mm (4.9 cm) of rain in one hour.
High Wind / Gust
at
Big Hill
Hau Nui wind farm (south of Martinborough) recorded a maximum gust of 207 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Castlepoint
Castlepoint recorded a maximum gust of 183 km/hr - the highest recorded since records began in 1972.
Castelpoint recorded average winds of 100 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cook Strait
Ferry sailings were cancelled due to the winds.
Maritime / Coastal
Swells in Cook Strait were moderate, at 1.5 m.
Flooding
at
Greytown
The Waiohine River at Greytown rose more than 2 m in 30 minutes.
Flooding
at
Hutt River
The Hutt River in Hutt Valley reached a 12-year peak.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitoke
Kaitoke recorded 119 mm (11.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 20th.
Kaitoke recorded 227 mm (22.7 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
High Wind / Gust
at
Lower Hutt
In the western hills of Lower Hutt a house was badly damaged by wind gusts.
Heavy Rain
Lower Hutt recorded 72 mm (7.2 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Flooding
Surface flooding caused problems in Lower Hutt.
The Hutt River removed 250 m^2 of land from the Manor Park Golf Course.
Heavy Rain
at
Masterton
Masterton recorded 41 mm (4.1 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Flooding
60 school children were evacuated from a camp on the 20th due to flood waters.
The Ruamahanga River had a 50-year flood at Masterton.
Flooding
at
Otaihanga
13 homes were evacuated in the Otaihanga area of Waikanae, ten of them in Makora Road.
Otaihanga was the worst area affected.
Flooding
at
Otaki
The Otaki and Waikanae Rivers flooded homes and properties, including a school.
State Highway 1 north of Otaki had one lane closed.
Flooding
at
Paeakakariki
Water supply and sewerage problems prompted evacuations in Paraparaumu and Paekakariki.
State Highway 1 was closed at MacKays Crossing. Paekakariki Hill Road was also closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu Airport recorded 100.6 mm (10.1 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Paraparamu recorded 100 mm (10.0 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Paraparaumu recorded 114 mm (11.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 20th.
Flooding
Water supply and sewerage problems prompted evacuations in Paraparaumu and Paekakariki.
High Wind / Gust
at
Porirua
Three Porirua house roofs had to be tied down. The porch of a house on Conclusion Road was blown into a neighbour's property.
Multi Hazard
at
Pukerua Bay
State Highway 1 was closed at Pukerua Bay.
High Wind / Gust
at
Rimutaka Hill
Rimutaka Hill Road was closed on the 19th due to dangerous wind gusts.
High Wind / Gust
at
Seatoun
Beacon Hill recorded a maximum gust of 166 km/hr.
Heavy Rain
at
Tararua Range
The northern Tararua Ranges recorded 620 mm (62.0 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
The Tararua Ranges had a peak rainfall of 300 mm (30.0 cm).
Heavy Rain
at
Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt recorded 91 mm (9.1 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Flooding
In Upper Hutt, one person was rescued by helicopter and another made their own way out as water lapped their houses.
Flooding
at
Waikanae
The Waikanae River reached a 25-year peak.
Low lying areas in Waikanae were severely hit when the river burst its banks at Otaihanga and several other places.
The Otaki and Waikanae Rivers flooded homes and properties, including a school.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wellington International Airport
The wind made landings difficult for aircraft at Wellington Airport. About 70% of flights were cancelled or delayed out of Wellington on the 19th.
Wellington Airport recorded a maximum gust of 120 km/hr.
Heavy Rain
Wellington Airport recorded 51.6 mm (5.2 cm) of rain in 21 hours.
Marlborough
High Wind / Gust
at
The Brothers
Brothers Island in Cook Strait recorded a maximum gust of 128 km/hr.
West Coast
Flooding
at
West Coast
Heavy rain caused flooding in Westland and Buller.
A Civil Defence Emergency was declared for the Buller District at 10:30pm on the 19th and was terminated at 1:40pm on the 20th.
Three bachs were evacuated at Waimare.
Heavy Rain
at
Ahaura River
Ahaura recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 77 mm, 4 mm, 1 mm, 10 mm, 23 mm, 6 mm, and 28 mm.
Ahaura recorded a maximum intensity of 9 mm (0.9 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Ahaura River at the Gorge recorded a peak level of 7.252 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 20 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Arapito
Arapito recorded 156 mm (15.6 cm) of rain in 48 hours.
Flooding
Arapito Valley was severely flooded.
Flooding
at
Dobson
The Grey River at Dobson recorded a peak level of 6.683 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 10-20 years).
Flooding
at
Greymouth
Greymouth and north Westport were the worst affected areas.
Heavy Rain
at
Inangahua Landing
The Inangahua River at the Landing recorded a maximum 12-hour fall of 143 mm (14.3 cm) on the 19th.
Inangahua Landing recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 158 mm, 2 mm, 0 mm, 3 mm, 12 mm, 5 mm, and 33 mm.
Inangahua Landing recorded a maximum intensity of 8 mm (0.8 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Inangahua River at the Landing recorded a peak level of 5.025 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 2 years).
Flooding
at
Karamea
The Karamea River breached its banks.
66 people were evacuated at Karamea on the 19th.
Seven houses were inundated.
Heavy Rain
at
Karamea Gorge
The Karamea River at the Gorge recorded a maximum 48-hour fall of 193 mm (19.3 cm) on the 19th.
Karamea recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 139 mm, 1 mm, 6 mm, 18 mm, 9 mm, 7 mm, and 81 mm.
Karamea recorded a maximum intensity of 17 mm (1.7 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Karamea River at the Gorge recorded a peak level of 6.037 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 20 years).
The Karamea River at the Gorge had a peak flow of 3166 cumecs on the 19th.
Flooding
at
Lyell
The Buller River at Woolfs recorded a peak level of 6.581 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 2-5 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Moana
Moana recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 115 mm, 0 mm, 2 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, 3 mm, and 24 mm.
Moana recorded a maximum intensity of 15 mm (1.5 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
at
Seddonville
Six homes and a hotel were evacuated at Seddonville.
Heavy Rain
at
Sirdar Creek
Paparoa recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 158 mm, 11 mm, 30 mm, 55 mm, 30 mm, 26 mm, and 183 mm.
Paparoa recorded a maximum intensity of 16 mm (1.6 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
at
Te Kuha
The Buller River at Te Kuha recorded a peak level of 9.941 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 2-5 years).
Heavy Rain
at
Waipuna
Waipuna recorded daily totals for seven days prior to the event of: 73 mm, 4 mm, 2 mm, 13 mm, 32 mm, 7 mm, and 27 mm.
Waipuna recorded a maximum intensity of 10 mm (1.0 cm) - the highest one hour rainfall intensity recorded in the 48 hours prior to event peak.
Flooding
The Grey River at Waipuna recorded a peak level of 5.409 m on the 19th (Return Period approximately 5-10 years).
Flooding
at
Waitahu
The Waitahu Bridge was washed out.
Flooding
at
Westport
Greymouth and north Westport were the worst affected areas.
Canterbury
High Wind / Gust
at
Canterbury
Canterbury experienced strong winds on the 18th 19th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Christchurch
At Christchurch Airport, aircraft were blown over.
High Wind / Gust
at
Darfield
A man died after his car was hit by a falling tree in Darfield.
Otago
High Wind / Gust
at
Otago
The Old Man Range had wind gusts of between 120-150 km/hr.
High Wind / Gust
at
Ardgour
Power was cut in the Ardgour area overnight when a tree crashed through a line.
High Wind / Gust
at
Coal Creek Flat
Power was cut in Dumbarton and Coal Creek.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dumbarton
Power was cut in Dumbarton and Coal Creek.
High Wind / Gust
at
Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport recorded wind gusts of up to 119 km/hr on the 18th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Ettrick
Power was cut for 15-20 people from Ettrick to Raes Junction.
High Wind / Gust
at
Ida Valley
Power was cut in Ida Valley when three power poles were knocked over by winds.
High Wind / Gust
at
Lake Hawea
Power was cut in Hawea and Makarora.
High Wind / Gust
at
Makarora
Power was cut in Hawea and Makarora.
High Wind / Gust
at
Moa Flat
Power was cut in Moa Flat when strong winds blew the water schemes control box off it post.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mosgiel
Power was cut from Mosgiel through Berwick when a chicken coop blew into the main lines.
High Wind / Gust
at
Port Chalmers
Three 12-metre long shipping containers were blown off the wharf at Port Chalmers on the 18th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Taiaroa Head
Taiaroa Head recorded winds of up to 114 km/hr on the 18th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waihola
Power was cut for a time at Waihola.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wanaka
Power was cut in Wanaka when two poles were blown down.
References
- Headline: Civil Defence Declarations since 1 January 1963.
- Declared Civil Defence Emergencies.
- Headline: Gales wreak havoc around region.
- The Evening Post, 19 October 1998.
- Headline: Winds clocked at 207km/h.
- The Evening Post, 20 October 1998.
- Headline: Coast soaked by 100mm of rain.
- The Evening Post, 21 October 21 1998.
- Headline: Floods, slips close roads, cut off Kapiti Coast.
- The Evening Post, 21 October 1998.
- Greater Wellington Regional Council. Meteorology and Hydrology of the 20-21 October 1998 and 27-28 October 1998 floods.
- Headline: Dannevirke bears brunt of wind.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 20 October 1998.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall to 31st May 2006.
- www.metservice.co.nz/ Learning Center / Notable Weather Events Archives / 1998 Spring Northwest storm brings gales and heavy rain.
- New Zealand Evacuations from 1 January 1886 to 1 January 2000.
- Headline: Cargo containers blown into harbour.
- Otago Daily Times, 20 October 1998.
- Headline: Storm cuts wide swathe through province.
- Otago Daily Times, 20 October 1998.
- Saunders, W. (2000). Planning and Resources, Hazard and Emergency Management Section, Wairarapa Division. Wairarapa Storm Events 1880-1998, Technical Report No. 00/17.
- Southland Regional Council (CD).