NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
September 1943 Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Flooding
(
1943-09-03
)
Heavy rain over three days brought flooding to Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
North Island
Multi Hazard
Duration: 4 days - From the 3rd till the 6th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Heavy rain set in late on the 3rd and continued without intermission throughout the night. It was the heaviest sustained fall in Gisborne for many years.
Flooding
There were heavy floods, especially around the mouth of the Waipaoa River. Large sheets of water covered most of the low-lying paddocks.
All trains between Gisborne and the south were held up from the morning of the 6th as a result of the flood. Normal services were resumed on the 8th, with some speed restrictions in place.
The railway line was under water for nearly 3 miles (4.8 km) at 10am on the 6th.
The track was under water for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) on the Gisborne side of the railway bridge over the Waipaoa River, to a depth of 4 ft (1.2 m) in some places.
On the Muriwai side of the bridge, the railway was covered to a depth of 2 ft (61 cm) in some parts.
Some flocks of sheep on the flats that were lambing were unable to be moved, and heavy stock losses were expected. Sheep and cattle were caught by the flood in all parts of the Waipaoa River district.
A serious cut in the borough water supply occurred as a result of flood conditions at Waingake. Full pressure was expected to be back on the night of the 8th.
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne city
Gisborne received 1.8 in (4.6 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 4th. Practically all of this fell in 15 hours.
Gisborne received 1.73 in (4.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 5th.
Gisborne received 0.92 in (2.3 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 6th.
The total rainfall for the three days from the 3rd to the 6th was 4.55 in (11.6 cm).
Flooding
Mr Harden's house, near the Awapuni Lagoon, had more than 1 ft (30.5 cm) of water over the floor on the morning of the 6th. A neighbour had water lapping at his door.
Flooding
at
Makaraka
The road running past the old Kia Ora factory was under water in two places.
Flooding
at
Makauri
The Taruheru River covered the road at Makauri.
Water covered the road to a depth of 4 ft (1.2 m).
Flooding
at
Matawhero
At Matawhero, the railway line was covered with water and driftwood and the floodwaters extended to within half a chain (10 m) of the station buildings.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Karaka
Te Karaka received 1.54 in (3.9 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 4th.
Te Karaka received 1.91 in (4.9 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 5th.
Te Karaka received 2.70 in (6.9 cm) of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am on the 6th.
The total rainfal for the three days from the 3rd to the 6th was 6.15 in (15.6 cm).
At Kanakanaia bridge, the peak discharge of the Waipaoa River was 53,500 cusecs (1515 cumecs).
Flooding
At Te Karaka, the Waipaoa River reached a level of 19 ft (5.8 m) - 2 ft (61 cm) above flood level. It was falling rapidly at 9:30am on the 6th.
Multi Hazard
at
Tokomaru Bay
Rough weather accompanied the rainstorm at Tokomaru Bay, with the wind chopping round to south-east and east.
Maritime / Coastal
The trawler Waiwera broke her moorings at the Tokomaru Bay wharf during the storm and ran aground between the wharf and the cliff.
Heavy Rain
In Tokomaru Bay, 2.96 in (7.5 cm) of rain fell over three days.
The heaviest fall was 1.12 in (2.8 cm), registered on the morning of the 6th.
Flooding
at
Waikohu homestead
The Prime Minister, on his way from Bay of Plenty to Gisborne, was flood-bound at Waikohu due to Kemp's bridge being under water on the afternoon and night of the 5th.
Heavy Rain
at
Waingake
At Waingake, 6 1/2 in (16.5 cm) of rain fell during the weekend.
Multi Hazard
Two water supply pipes were carried away by a slip on the line from the intake to the reservoir at Waingake and another pipe was bent out of position. The intake also became blocked.
Flooding
at
Waipaoa River
Flood waters near the mouth of the Waipaoa River began to invade low-lying land on the afternoon of the 5th. By the morning of the 6th, a large area of farmland was covered and some houses were marooned.
The railway line was blocked with water covering the line to considerable depths.
The railway bridge over the Waipaoa was not visible from the Matawhero station, and it was reported that the decking was 2 ft (61 cm) under water at 9am on the 6th.
Higher up, the river was running bank-high at 9am on the 6th, only a few inches from the top of the bank, but then began receding.
Flooding
at
Whatatutu
The flat country near Whatatutu was flooded.
Flooding
at
The Willows homestead
The flood waters began to rise in The Willows and Whakawhitira areas on the afternoon of the 5th.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
The rain in the Wairoa and Nuhaka areas was particularly heavy from the 3rd till the morning of the 4th.
Landslide
Many slips occurred throughout the Wairoa county.
A succession of slips on the railway line 50 miles (80.5 km) south of Wairoa held up railway traffic between Gisborne and Napier.
Landslide
at
Ardkeen Hall
A slip on the highway at Ardkeen held up traffic to Waikaremoana.
Flooding
at
Nuhaka
The bridge at the Omana turn-off, Nuhaka, was under water on the morning of the 4th.
Water covered the railway line at Nuhaka.
Landslide
at
Ruakituri
The Ruakituri road on the main highway to Gisborne was completely blocked on the 6th.
Heavy Rain
at
Tarewa homestead
10.22 in (26.0 cm) of rain fell in Tarewa in 24 hours.
Landslide
at
Waikoau
Due to the railway line spreading near Waikoau four wagons of a meat train from Gisborne were derailed on the morning of the 8th.
A further slip occurred in the Waikoau railway yards, blocking the passage of trains.
Landslide
at
Waikokopu
Three slips occurred at Waikokopu and were expected to take three days to clear.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairoa
Wairoa registered 4.19 in (10.6 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 6th.
Landslide
No railcars left Wairoa on the morning of the 6th due to slips.
Flooding
The Wairoa River was in heavy flood over the weekend (4th-5th). The river commenced to recede at 9am on the 6th.
Heavy losses of stock were feared.
Flooding
at
Whakaki
The main road was flooded at Whakaki on the morning of the 4th.
A washout occurred on the northern railway line at Whakaki.
References
- Cowie, C. A. and Attwood, A. K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Heavy downpour: Nearly two inches.
- The Gisborne Herald, 4 September 1943.
- Headline: Heavy flood: Homes marooned.
- The Gisborne Herald, 6 September 1943.
- Headline: Premier help up: North road blocked.
- The Gisborne Herald, 6 September 1943.
- Headline: Wairoa downpour.
- The Gisborne Herald, 6 September 1943.
- Headline: Gisborne section: Normal services.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.
- Headline: Trawler aground: Blow at Tokomaru Bay.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.
- Headline: Trucks derailed: Trouble near Napier.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.
- Headline: Water supply cut: Damage during flood.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.
September 1943 Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Flooding
(
1943-09-03
)
Heavy rain over three days brought flooding to Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
North Island
Multi Hazard
Duration: 4 days - From the 3rd till the 6th.
Gisborne
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne
Heavy rain set in late on the 3rd and continued without intermission throughout the night. It was the heaviest sustained fall in Gisborne for many years.
Flooding
There were heavy floods, especially around the mouth of the Waipaoa River. Large sheets of water covered most of the low-lying paddocks.
All trains between Gisborne and the south were held up from the morning of the 6th as a result of the flood. Normal services were resumed on the 8th, with some speed restrictions in place.
The railway line was under water for nearly 3 miles (4.8 km) at 10am on the 6th.
The track was under water for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) on the Gisborne side of the railway bridge over the Waipaoa River, to a depth of 4 ft (1.2 m) in some places.
On the Muriwai side of the bridge, the railway was covered to a depth of 2 ft (61 cm) in some parts.
Some flocks of sheep on the flats that were lambing were unable to be moved, and heavy stock losses were expected. Sheep and cattle were caught by the flood in all parts of the Waipaoa River district.
A serious cut in the borough water supply occurred as a result of flood conditions at Waingake. Full pressure was expected to be back on the night of the 8th.
Heavy Rain
at
Gisborne city
Gisborne received 1.8 in (4.6 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 4th. Practically all of this fell in 15 hours.
Gisborne received 1.73 in (4.4 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 5th.
Gisborne received 0.92 in (2.3 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 6th.
The total rainfall for the three days from the 3rd to the 6th was 4.55 in (11.6 cm).
Flooding
Mr Harden's house, near the Awapuni Lagoon, had more than 1 ft (30.5 cm) of water over the floor on the morning of the 6th. A neighbour had water lapping at his door.
Flooding
at
Makaraka
The road running past the old Kia Ora factory was under water in two places.
Flooding
at
Makauri
The Taruheru River covered the road at Makauri.
Water covered the road to a depth of 4 ft (1.2 m).
Flooding
at
Matawhero
At Matawhero, the railway line was covered with water and driftwood and the floodwaters extended to within half a chain (10 m) of the station buildings.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Karaka
Te Karaka received 1.54 in (3.9 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 4th.
Te Karaka received 1.91 in (4.9 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 5th.
Te Karaka received 2.70 in (6.9 cm) of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am on the 6th.
The total rainfal for the three days from the 3rd to the 6th was 6.15 in (15.6 cm).
At Kanakanaia bridge, the peak discharge of the Waipaoa River was 53,500 cusecs (1515 cumecs).
Flooding
At Te Karaka, the Waipaoa River reached a level of 19 ft (5.8 m) - 2 ft (61 cm) above flood level. It was falling rapidly at 9:30am on the 6th.
Multi Hazard
at
Tokomaru Bay
Rough weather accompanied the rainstorm at Tokomaru Bay, with the wind chopping round to south-east and east.
Maritime / Coastal
The trawler Waiwera broke her moorings at the Tokomaru Bay wharf during the storm and ran aground between the wharf and the cliff.
Heavy Rain
In Tokomaru Bay, 2.96 in (7.5 cm) of rain fell over three days.
The heaviest fall was 1.12 in (2.8 cm), registered on the morning of the 6th.
Flooding
at
Waikohu homestead
The Prime Minister, on his way from Bay of Plenty to Gisborne, was flood-bound at Waikohu due to Kemp's bridge being under water on the afternoon and night of the 5th.
Heavy Rain
at
Waingake
At Waingake, 6 1/2 in (16.5 cm) of rain fell during the weekend.
Multi Hazard
Two water supply pipes were carried away by a slip on the line from the intake to the reservoir at Waingake and another pipe was bent out of position. The intake also became blocked.
Flooding
at
Waipaoa River
Flood waters near the mouth of the Waipaoa River began to invade low-lying land on the afternoon of the 5th. By the morning of the 6th, a large area of farmland was covered and some houses were marooned.
The railway line was blocked with water covering the line to considerable depths.
The railway bridge over the Waipaoa was not visible from the Matawhero station, and it was reported that the decking was 2 ft (61 cm) under water at 9am on the 6th.
Higher up, the river was running bank-high at 9am on the 6th, only a few inches from the top of the bank, but then began receding.
Flooding
at
Whatatutu
The flat country near Whatatutu was flooded.
Flooding
at
The Willows homestead
The flood waters began to rise in The Willows and Whakawhitira areas on the afternoon of the 5th.
Hawke's Bay
Heavy Rain
at
Hawke's Bay
The rain in the Wairoa and Nuhaka areas was particularly heavy from the 3rd till the morning of the 4th.
Landslide
Many slips occurred throughout the Wairoa county.
A succession of slips on the railway line 50 miles (80.5 km) south of Wairoa held up railway traffic between Gisborne and Napier.
Landslide
at
Ardkeen Hall
A slip on the highway at Ardkeen held up traffic to Waikaremoana.
Flooding
at
Nuhaka
The bridge at the Omana turn-off, Nuhaka, was under water on the morning of the 4th.
Water covered the railway line at Nuhaka.
Landslide
at
Ruakituri
The Ruakituri road on the main highway to Gisborne was completely blocked on the 6th.
Heavy Rain
at
Tarewa homestead
10.22 in (26.0 cm) of rain fell in Tarewa in 24 hours.
Landslide
at
Waikoau
Due to the railway line spreading near Waikoau four wagons of a meat train from Gisborne were derailed on the morning of the 8th.
A further slip occurred in the Waikoau railway yards, blocking the passage of trains.
Landslide
at
Waikokopu
Three slips occurred at Waikokopu and were expected to take three days to clear.
Heavy Rain
at
Wairoa
Wairoa registered 4.19 in (10.6 cm) of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 6th.
Landslide
No railcars left Wairoa on the morning of the 6th due to slips.
Flooding
The Wairoa River was in heavy flood over the weekend (4th-5th). The river commenced to recede at 9am on the 6th.
Heavy losses of stock were feared.
Flooding
at
Whakaki
The main road was flooded at Whakaki on the morning of the 4th.
A washout occurred on the northern railway line at Whakaki.
References
- Cowie, C. A. and Attwood, A. K. (1957). Floods in New Zealand 1920-1953. The Soil Conservation Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Heavy downpour: Nearly two inches.
- The Gisborne Herald, 4 September 1943.
- Headline: Heavy flood: Homes marooned.
- The Gisborne Herald, 6 September 1943.
- Headline: Premier help up: North road blocked.
- The Gisborne Herald, 6 September 1943.
- Headline: Wairoa downpour.
- The Gisborne Herald, 6 September 1943.
- Headline: Gisborne section: Normal services.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.
- Headline: Trawler aground: Blow at Tokomaru Bay.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.
- Headline: Trucks derailed: Trouble near Napier.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.
- Headline: Water supply cut: Damage during flood.
- The Gisborne Herald, 8 September 1943.