NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
October 2005 Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Flooding
(
2005-10-20
)
Up to 150 years
Heavy rain fell in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. Flooding occurred in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, blocking roads and causing crop damage. In Gisborne 50 people were evacuated.
North Island
Multi Hazard
Duration: 3 days - From the 20th to the 22nd of October.
On the 20th, a low formed in the Tasman Sea to the north-east of the North Island. The low deepened as it moved south-eastwards, passing close to East Cape on the night of the 21st. The low was deep and slow-moving, and cut off to a high level. Heavy rain occurred in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, within wrap-around to the low.
State Highway 2 between Napier and Gisborne was blocked. The highway was reopened late on the 23rd, except for one section between Napier and Wairoa. There were slips and wind-blown trees along State Highway 5 on the Napier-Taupo Road.
Heavy Rain
Much of Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty received 55-85 mm (5.5-8.5 cm) of rain on the 20th. Heavy rain spread to Gisborne and Hawke's Bay on the 21st.
Landslide
A slip closed State Highway 5 between Taupo (Waikato) and Eskdale (Hawke's Bay).
Bay of Plenty
Multi Hazard
at
Opotiki
State Highway 2 was blocked at Opotiki.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne
Strong winds and heavy rain cut off Gisborne on the 21st and 22nd. Three main highways (SH2 and SH35) into the area were closed by slips, fallen trees and flooding. State Highway 2 north was blocked between Te Karaka and Matawai and at Opotiki, and the road south was blocked by floodwaters at Muriwai. SH2 was reopened on the 23rd. The East Coast Highway (SH35) was blocked in several places, with access impossible north of Tolaga Bay and surface flooding between Tokomaru Bay and Gisborne. Local roads in the district were also affected, including Waiomatahini, Kanakanaia, Anaura Bay, Whangara, Pehiri, Brunton's Road, Opou Road, Tauwhareparae and Wharekopae. Damage was done to roads on the Tologa and Poverty Bay plains.
Power was cut to hundreds of homes. Up to 1000 rural consumers were without power, in areas including Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, Ormond and Whangara. 450 consumers were without power in Puha, Otoko, Muriwai and Motu.
Phone communications were lost in some rural areas.
The event was expected to cost the region more than $50 million ($55,000,000 2008 dollars).
The cropping sector was the worst affected by the flooding. Extensive crop losses occurred after stopbanks were breached during a critical part of the season, severely affecting squash, sweet corn and maize as well as some salad and broccoli crops. It was estimated that squash and sweetcorn growers would lose at least a $1,000 a hectare. Hundreds of hectares were lost, with crops on river flats completely devastated and many other crops hit by surface flooding. Permanent crops, such as grapes, kiwfruit and avocados, came through relatively unscathed. Crop damage totalled $8.4 million ($9,240,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy rain and flooding damaged an estimated 3,000 hectares (30 km^2) of crops.
Heavy Rain
Torrential rain fell in Gisborne and the East Cape.
The area received almost 200mm (20.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Some areas received up to 44 mm (4.0 cm) of rain in an hour.
Flooding
Rivers broke their banks, causing extensive flooding in the Gisborne and Poverty Bay area. Farmland and properties all over Poverty Bay were flooded.
Stock losses were considered to be minor.
Many houses were isolated.
Some people were trapped in their cars. Nine people were resecued after becoming stranded on roads.
50 people were evacuated.
Six homes were evacuated and damaged, and several others experienced problems with land subsidence.
Five people had to be rescued from a remote bush area.
Many schools were closed.
The worst affected area was from Te Puia to Tolaga Bay.
The Poverty Bay Flats looked like a lake.
Around 2,000 hectares (20 km^2) of horticultural land on the Poverty Bay Flats was flooded.
Floodwaters up to 2 m deep swept across a number of district roads.
Water damage to roads came in the form of potholes and disintegration of the tarseal. Some roads suffered large drop-outs.
Extensive damage was done to fences and other structures.
High Wind / Gust
Strong winds were also experienced in the Gisborne area.
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne city
Slips and flooded roads in the area closed all routes into the city immediately after the downpour. The city was cut off until the 23rd due to heavy flooding.
Heavy Rain
Gisborne Airport recorded 150.4 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Gisborne Airport recorded 148 mm (14.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 22nd.
Flooding
The Waimate River reached 6.2 m at Goodwins Bridge.
The city's water supply was cut off after the pipeline was damaged where it crosses the Te Arai River suspension bridge.
The Gladstone Road bridge was closed.
The basement of one house was flooded and silt was deposited on the lawns of some properties near a river.
Hotels and shops lost business from a wine and food festival in Gisborne on the 23rd due to the lack of road access.
Heavy Rain
at
Hikuwai
Hikiwai recorded 350 mm (35.0 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Hikuwai recorded 371.5 mm (37.2 cm) of rain in the 36 hours to 11am on the 22nd (Return Period 120 years).
Hikuwai recorded 273 mm (27.3 cm) of rain in the 15 hours to 10pm on the 21st (Return Period about 150 years).
Hikuwai recorded 32 mm (3.2 cm) of rain in one hour.
Flooding
at
Hikuwai River
The Hikuwai River peaked at within half a metre of the level reached during Cyclone Bola.
The Hikuwai River reached 12.4 m.
Flooding
at
Mangatokerau River
A helicopter had to rescue 13 people who were stranded in the Mangatokerau valley.
Flooding
at
Mangatuna
15 people were evacuated from Mangatuna and Wharekaka.
The Mangatuna settlement was the worst affected area.
The buildings hardest hit by flooding and silt were Hinemaurea Marae, where one floor needed to be ripped up and replaced. The associated Mangatuna Kura Kaupapa school had severe slips around it.
Flooding
at
Manutuke
People were evacuated in the Taurau valley.
Heavy Rain
at
Motu
Motu recorded 134 mm (13.4 cm) of rain.
Power cuts were experienced in Motu.
Multi Hazard
at
Muriwai
Power cuts were experienced in Muriwai.
Multi Hazard
at
Ormond
Power cuts were experienced in Ormond.
Multi Hazard
at
Otoko
Power cuts were experienced in Otoko.
Flooding
at
Patutahi
People were evacuated in Patutahi.
Multi Hazard
at
Puha
Power cuts were experienced in Puha.
Landslide
at
Ruatoria
A major drop out several metres deep and as big as six tennis courts occurred on State Highway 35 at Kemps Hill, between Ruatoria and Tikitiki. The road was reopened to one lane on the 24th.
Flooding
at
Te Karaka
The Waipaoa River reached 9.25 m at Kanakanaia bridge.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Puia
Te Puia recorded 340 mm (34.0 cm) of rai in 36 hours.
Te Puia recorded 365.5 mm (36.6 cm) of rain in the 36 hours to 10am on the 22nd (Return Period 60 years).
Multi Hazard
at
Tokomaru Bay
Power cuts were experienced in Tokomaru Bay.
Heavy Rain
at
Tolaga Bay
An area just north of Tolaga Bay recorded 385 mm (38.5 cm) of rain in 36 hours. This was the highest rainfall of this event.
Flooding
More than 60 people near Tolaga Bay were evacauted.
Three Tolaga Bay families, including seven children, spent a night on a hillside after rising flood waters forced them from their homes.
One Tolaga Bay farmer lost more than 600 ewes and lambs. They were worth about $40,000 ($44,000 2008 dollars).
Around 1,000 hectares (10 km^2) of horticultural land in Tolaga Bay was flooded.
Multi Hazard
Damage in the Tolaga Bay area was compared to that of Cyclone Bola.
Power cuts were experienced in Tolaga Bay.
Two homes near Tolaga Bay were blocked by flood debris, and the damage made them uninhabitable. Silt and debris were the main problems faced by property owners.
Flooding
at
Waipaoa River
The Waipaoa River peaked at a level of 10.5 m, half a metre short of the all time high during Cyclone Bola (11.03 m).
Flooding
at
Waiomatatini
Waiomatatini Road on Kainanga Hill suffered major damage. The Waiapu River undermined the hill en route to Waiomatatini, with a large section of road washed away.
Multi Hazard
at
Whangara
Power cuts were experienced in Whangara.
Flooding
at
Wharekaka
15 people were evacuated from Mangatuna and Wharekaka.
Hawke's Bay
Multi Hazard
at
Hawke's Bay
Floods and slips occurred throughout the region on the 21st.
There were slips and wind-blown trees along State Highway 2.
Flooding
Some roads were flooded. State Highway 2 and State Highway 50 were flooded.
Some houses were flooded in the Hastings District.
All roading contractors in the Hastings District had to be called in to drain sewerage pumps.
Flooding
at
Eskdale
Parts of Eskdale were blocked by flooding.
Flooding
at
Havelock North
Water had to be pumped from the car park of Te Mata Cheese Factory.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula recorded 108.8 mm (10.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier Airport recorded 120.4 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Napier Airport recorded 93 mm (9.3 cm) of rain.
Landslide
Two houses on Napier Hill were hit by landslips on the 21st.
Flooding
Seafield Road, near Puketitiri, was closed due to flooding.
Landslide
at
Pukehou
A big slip came down on the Main Road near Te Aute College, and covered three-quarters of the road.
Landslide
at
Waimarama
A slip came down on Waimarama Road.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairoa
Wairoa experienced heavy rain.
Flooding
The river overflowed its banks at the township.
There was flooding on roads in the Wairoa area.
References
- Headline: District saturated.
- The Gisborne Herald, Staff reporters, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Floodwaters isolate Gisborne.
- The Gisborne Herald, Source: Newstalk ZB, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Three families spend night on hill at Tolaga.
- The Gisborne Herald, Staff reporters, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Cropping devastated by flood.
- The Gisborne Herald, Debbie Gregory, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Flood deals crops sector major blow.
- The Gisborne Herald, Marianne Gillingham, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Flood recovery team to assess damage.
- The Gisborne Herald, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Gisborne farmers seek flood relief.
- The Gisborne Herald, Anna Chalmers, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: River level second only to Bola.
- The Gisborne Herald, Staff reporter, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Road damage likely to run to $ millions.
- The Gisborne Herald, Marianne Gillingham, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Storm forces family to take refuge in loft.
- The Gisborne Herald, Lisa Mills, 25 October 2005.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 103, December 2005.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Storm hits Hawke's Bay, Gisborne.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: East Coast counts cost of floods.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 24 October 2005.
- Headline: Crop farmers hardest hit.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 24 October 2005.
- Headline: Flood-ravaged region starts counting cost.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Bad weather prompts evacuations.
- onenews.co.nz, 21 October 2005.
- Headline: Poverty Bay emergency in overdrive.
- onenews.co.nz, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Gisborne remains cut off by flooding.
- onenews.co.nz, 26 October 2005.
October 2005 Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Flooding
(
2005-10-20
)
Up to 150 years
Heavy rain fell in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. Flooding occurred in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, blocking roads and causing crop damage. In Gisborne 50 people were evacuated.
North Island
Multi Hazard
Duration: 3 days - From the 20th to the 22nd of October.
On the 20th, a low formed in the Tasman Sea to the north-east of the North Island. The low deepened as it moved south-eastwards, passing close to East Cape on the night of the 21st. The low was deep and slow-moving, and cut off to a high level. Heavy rain occurred in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, within wrap-around to the low.
State Highway 2 between Napier and Gisborne was blocked. The highway was reopened late on the 23rd, except for one section between Napier and Wairoa. There were slips and wind-blown trees along State Highway 5 on the Napier-Taupo Road.
Heavy Rain
Much of Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty received 55-85 mm (5.5-8.5 cm) of rain on the 20th. Heavy rain spread to Gisborne and Hawke's Bay on the 21st.
Landslide
A slip closed State Highway 5 between Taupo (Waikato) and Eskdale (Hawke's Bay).
Bay of Plenty
Multi Hazard
at
Opotiki
State Highway 2 was blocked at Opotiki.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne
Strong winds and heavy rain cut off Gisborne on the 21st and 22nd. Three main highways (SH2 and SH35) into the area were closed by slips, fallen trees and flooding. State Highway 2 north was blocked between Te Karaka and Matawai and at Opotiki, and the road south was blocked by floodwaters at Muriwai. SH2 was reopened on the 23rd. The East Coast Highway (SH35) was blocked in several places, with access impossible north of Tolaga Bay and surface flooding between Tokomaru Bay and Gisborne. Local roads in the district were also affected, including Waiomatahini, Kanakanaia, Anaura Bay, Whangara, Pehiri, Brunton's Road, Opou Road, Tauwhareparae and Wharekopae. Damage was done to roads on the Tologa and Poverty Bay plains.
Power was cut to hundreds of homes. Up to 1000 rural consumers were without power, in areas including Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, Ormond and Whangara. 450 consumers were without power in Puha, Otoko, Muriwai and Motu.
Phone communications were lost in some rural areas.
The event was expected to cost the region more than $50 million ($55,000,000 2008 dollars).
The cropping sector was the worst affected by the flooding. Extensive crop losses occurred after stopbanks were breached during a critical part of the season, severely affecting squash, sweet corn and maize as well as some salad and broccoli crops. It was estimated that squash and sweetcorn growers would lose at least a $1,000 a hectare. Hundreds of hectares were lost, with crops on river flats completely devastated and many other crops hit by surface flooding. Permanent crops, such as grapes, kiwfruit and avocados, came through relatively unscathed. Crop damage totalled $8.4 million ($9,240,000 2008 dollars).
Heavy rain and flooding damaged an estimated 3,000 hectares (30 km^2) of crops.
Heavy Rain
Torrential rain fell in Gisborne and the East Cape.
The area received almost 200mm (20.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Some areas received up to 44 mm (4.0 cm) of rain in an hour.
Flooding
Rivers broke their banks, causing extensive flooding in the Gisborne and Poverty Bay area. Farmland and properties all over Poverty Bay were flooded.
Stock losses were considered to be minor.
Many houses were isolated.
Some people were trapped in their cars. Nine people were resecued after becoming stranded on roads.
50 people were evacuated.
Six homes were evacuated and damaged, and several others experienced problems with land subsidence.
Five people had to be rescued from a remote bush area.
Many schools were closed.
The worst affected area was from Te Puia to Tolaga Bay.
The Poverty Bay Flats looked like a lake.
Around 2,000 hectares (20 km^2) of horticultural land on the Poverty Bay Flats was flooded.
Floodwaters up to 2 m deep swept across a number of district roads.
Water damage to roads came in the form of potholes and disintegration of the tarseal. Some roads suffered large drop-outs.
Extensive damage was done to fences and other structures.
High Wind / Gust
Strong winds were also experienced in the Gisborne area.
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne city
Slips and flooded roads in the area closed all routes into the city immediately after the downpour. The city was cut off until the 23rd due to heavy flooding.
Heavy Rain
Gisborne Airport recorded 150.4 mm (15.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Gisborne Airport recorded 148 mm (14.8 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 22nd.
Flooding
The Waimate River reached 6.2 m at Goodwins Bridge.
The city's water supply was cut off after the pipeline was damaged where it crosses the Te Arai River suspension bridge.
The Gladstone Road bridge was closed.
The basement of one house was flooded and silt was deposited on the lawns of some properties near a river.
Hotels and shops lost business from a wine and food festival in Gisborne on the 23rd due to the lack of road access.
Heavy Rain
at
Hikuwai
Hikiwai recorded 350 mm (35.0 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Hikuwai recorded 371.5 mm (37.2 cm) of rain in the 36 hours to 11am on the 22nd (Return Period 120 years).
Hikuwai recorded 273 mm (27.3 cm) of rain in the 15 hours to 10pm on the 21st (Return Period about 150 years).
Hikuwai recorded 32 mm (3.2 cm) of rain in one hour.
Flooding
at
Hikuwai River
The Hikuwai River peaked at within half a metre of the level reached during Cyclone Bola.
The Hikuwai River reached 12.4 m.
Flooding
at
Mangatokerau River
A helicopter had to rescue 13 people who were stranded in the Mangatokerau valley.
Flooding
at
Mangatuna
15 people were evacuated from Mangatuna and Wharekaka.
The Mangatuna settlement was the worst affected area.
The buildings hardest hit by flooding and silt were Hinemaurea Marae, where one floor needed to be ripped up and replaced. The associated Mangatuna Kura Kaupapa school had severe slips around it.
Flooding
at
Manutuke
People were evacuated in the Taurau valley.
Heavy Rain
at
Motu
Motu recorded 134 mm (13.4 cm) of rain.
Power cuts were experienced in Motu.
Multi Hazard
at
Muriwai
Power cuts were experienced in Muriwai.
Multi Hazard
at
Ormond
Power cuts were experienced in Ormond.
Multi Hazard
at
Otoko
Power cuts were experienced in Otoko.
Flooding
at
Patutahi
People were evacuated in Patutahi.
Multi Hazard
at
Puha
Power cuts were experienced in Puha.
Landslide
at
Ruatoria
A major drop out several metres deep and as big as six tennis courts occurred on State Highway 35 at Kemps Hill, between Ruatoria and Tikitiki. The road was reopened to one lane on the 24th.
Flooding
at
Te Karaka
The Waipaoa River reached 9.25 m at Kanakanaia bridge.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Puia
Te Puia recorded 340 mm (34.0 cm) of rai in 36 hours.
Te Puia recorded 365.5 mm (36.6 cm) of rain in the 36 hours to 10am on the 22nd (Return Period 60 years).
Multi Hazard
at
Tokomaru Bay
Power cuts were experienced in Tokomaru Bay.
Heavy Rain
at
Tolaga Bay
An area just north of Tolaga Bay recorded 385 mm (38.5 cm) of rain in 36 hours. This was the highest rainfall of this event.
Flooding
More than 60 people near Tolaga Bay were evacauted.
Three Tolaga Bay families, including seven children, spent a night on a hillside after rising flood waters forced them from their homes.
One Tolaga Bay farmer lost more than 600 ewes and lambs. They were worth about $40,000 ($44,000 2008 dollars).
Around 1,000 hectares (10 km^2) of horticultural land in Tolaga Bay was flooded.
Multi Hazard
Damage in the Tolaga Bay area was compared to that of Cyclone Bola.
Power cuts were experienced in Tolaga Bay.
Two homes near Tolaga Bay were blocked by flood debris, and the damage made them uninhabitable. Silt and debris were the main problems faced by property owners.
Flooding
at
Waipaoa River
The Waipaoa River peaked at a level of 10.5 m, half a metre short of the all time high during Cyclone Bola (11.03 m).
Flooding
at
Waiomatatini
Waiomatatini Road on Kainanga Hill suffered major damage. The Waiapu River undermined the hill en route to Waiomatatini, with a large section of road washed away.
Multi Hazard
at
Whangara
Power cuts were experienced in Whangara.
Flooding
at
Wharekaka
15 people were evacuated from Mangatuna and Wharekaka.
Hawke's Bay
Multi Hazard
at
Hawke's Bay
Floods and slips occurred throughout the region on the 21st.
There were slips and wind-blown trees along State Highway 2.
Flooding
Some roads were flooded. State Highway 2 and State Highway 50 were flooded.
Some houses were flooded in the Hastings District.
All roading contractors in the Hastings District had to be called in to drain sewerage pumps.
Flooding
at
Eskdale
Parts of Eskdale were blocked by flooding.
Flooding
at
Havelock North
Water had to be pumped from the car park of Te Mata Cheese Factory.
Heavy Rain
at
Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula recorded 108.8 mm (10.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Napier
Napier Airport recorded 120.4 mm (12.0 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Napier Airport recorded 93 mm (9.3 cm) of rain.
Landslide
Two houses on Napier Hill were hit by landslips on the 21st.
Flooding
Seafield Road, near Puketitiri, was closed due to flooding.
Landslide
at
Pukehou
A big slip came down on the Main Road near Te Aute College, and covered three-quarters of the road.
Landslide
at
Waimarama
A slip came down on Waimarama Road.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairoa
Wairoa experienced heavy rain.
Flooding
The river overflowed its banks at the township.
There was flooding on roads in the Wairoa area.
References
- Headline: District saturated.
- The Gisborne Herald, Staff reporters, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Floodwaters isolate Gisborne.
- The Gisborne Herald, Source: Newstalk ZB, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Three families spend night on hill at Tolaga.
- The Gisborne Herald, Staff reporters, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Cropping devastated by flood.
- The Gisborne Herald, Debbie Gregory, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Flood deals crops sector major blow.
- The Gisborne Herald, Marianne Gillingham, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Flood recovery team to assess damage.
- The Gisborne Herald, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Gisborne farmers seek flood relief.
- The Gisborne Herald, Anna Chalmers, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: River level second only to Bola.
- The Gisborne Herald, Staff reporter, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Road damage likely to run to $ millions.
- The Gisborne Herald, Marianne Gillingham, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Storm forces family to take refuge in loft.
- The Gisborne Herald, Lisa Mills, 25 October 2005.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 30 Sept 2005.
- Major weather events in New Zealand, Floods and High Rainfall, Floods to 31st July 2006.
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (Inc.) Newsletter 103, December 2005.
- New Zealand Meteorological Service. (2008). Meteorology of Extreme Rainfalls in New Zealand (Mark Pascoe, Ed.).
- Headline: Storm hits Hawke's Bay, Gisborne.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: East Coast counts cost of floods.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 24 October 2005.
- Headline: Crop farmers hardest hit.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 24 October 2005.
- Headline: Flood-ravaged region starts counting cost.
- The Northern Advocate, Source: NZPA, 25 October 2005.
- Headline: Bad weather prompts evacuations.
- onenews.co.nz, 21 October 2005.
- Headline: Poverty Bay emergency in overdrive.
- onenews.co.nz, 22 October 2005.
- Headline: Gisborne remains cut off by flooding.
- onenews.co.nz, 26 October 2005.