NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
September 1960 Northland and Waikato Flooding
(
1960-09-10
)
Flooding was experienced in Northland and the Waikato. There were also high winds in Northland, and two men drowned in heavy seas off Mangawhai Heads.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 6 days - From the 10th to the 15th of September.
An Auckland-Whagarei NAC flight was cancelled.
Northland
Flooding
at
Northland
The roads between Whangarei and Russell and between Kawakawa and Paihia were flooded by about 18 in (45 cm) of water. Flood waters blocked the east coast state highway 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Kaeo.
High Wind / Gust
Winds reached 48 knots (89 km/hr) in Northland.
Power and telegraph lines were disrupted. The Kawakawa, Whakapara, Towai and Russell toll circuits were interrupted, and the Maungatoroto toll circuits were disrupted.
Air services were cancelled.
Windows were blown out.
Flooding
at
Kaeo
Water flowed over Hospital Road and the hospital was isolated.
2 ft (60 cm) of water covered the Waikare Avenue-Leigh Street road.
Kaeo District highschools were closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 2.83 in (7.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Multi Hazard
Kaikohe Aerodome was closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded 2.24 in (5.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Onerahi
Onerahi recorded 2.52 in (6.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 11th.
High Wind / Gust
Winds at the Aerodrome reached 48 mph (77 km/hr).
Landslide
at
Mangamuka
A large slip at Mangamuka blocked the state highway from Kaikohe to Kaitaia.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Mangawhai Heads
Two men (49 years old and 30 years old) were presumed drowned after their launch was hit by a big wave and sunk in heavy seas off Mangawhai Heads on the 11th. Another man who was on board survived. Pieces of the boat were found spread over more than 3 miles (4.8 km) of storm-washed shoreline.
There were terrific seas.
High Wind / Gust
Gale force winds gusted to over 50 knots (93 km/hr).
Multi Hazard
at
Whangarei
Whangarei airport was closed on the 12th.
Whangarei recorded 2.15 in (5.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 10th.
Whangarei recorded 1.92 in (4.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 11th.
Heavy Rain
at
Whenuapai
Whenuapai recorded 1.03 in (2.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Waikato
The return period of the Hauraki Plains and Coromandel flooding was unknown, but estimated as a 10 year event.
Flooding
at
Hamilton
The Waikato River at the Hamilton Traffic Bridge reached a gauge height of 148.95 ft (45.40 m) during September.
The Waikato River at the Hamilton Traffic Bridge had a peak discharge of 21,500 cusecs (609 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 3178 sq. miles (8231 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Hauraki Plains
The Hauraki Plains experienced a period of wet weather in mid-September, with exceptionally heavy falls on the 13th and 14th.
Flooding
Low lying areas of the Plains were again subject to still more severe inundation, after the June-July floods.
All rivers were in high flood, particularly in the middle and lower reaches, where flood heights and discharges were the highest on record since the stopbanking system was constructed in 1920-30.
Flooding was due to the drowned drainage system, the overtopping of stopbanks and the breaching of the Komata Stream stopbank some 15 chains (300 m) above its confluence with the Waihou River.
Approximately 30,000 acres (121 km^2) were inundated. Some 18,000 acres (72.8 km^2) of land was flooded for up to four days and 12,000 acres (48.6 km^2) for over four days, in some cases for seven days.
The overall cost of the two floods (on June-July and Sept) was estimated at well over £250,000 ($9,840,000 2008 dollars).
Flooding
at
Huntly
The Waikato River at the Huntly Pumping Station reached a gauge height of 129.3 ft (39.4 m) during September.
The Waikato River at the Huntly Pumping Station had a peak discharge of 39,200 cusecs (1110 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 4695 sq. miles (12,160 km^2).
Flooding
at
Karangahake
The Ohinemuri River at Karangahake reached a gauge height of 16.35 ft (4.98 m) on the 15th.
The Ohinemuri River at Karangahake had a peak discharge of 25,000 cusecs (708 cumecs) on the 15th, with a catchment area of 111 sq. miles (287 km^2).
Flooding
at
Komata
The Komata stopbank on the Waihou River system failed by overtopping and erosion of the landward face.
High-producing land was flooded.
Flooding
at
Mercer
The Waikato River at Mercer reached a gauge height of 111.8 ft (34.08 m) during September.
The Waikato River at Mercer had a peak discharge of 32,400 cusecs (917 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 5290 sq. miles (13,701 km^2).
Flooding
at
Ngaruawahia
The Waikato River at the Ngaruawahia Cableway reached a gauge height of 136.05 ft (41.47 m) during September.
The Waikato River at the Ngaruawahia Cableway had a peak discharge of 32,600 cusecs (923 cumecs) during Septmeber, with a catchment area of 4400 sq. miles (11,396 km^2).
Flooding
at
Otorohanga
The Waipa River at Honikiwi Bridge reached a gauge height of 109.8 ft (33.47 m) during September.
The Waipa River at Honikiwi Bridge had a peak discharge of 8,000 cusecs (227 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 355 sq. miles (919 km^2).
Flooding
at
Pirongia
The Waipa River at Pirongia Cableway reached a gauge height of 77.2 ft (23.53 m) during September.
The Waipa River at Pirongia Cableway had a peak discharge of 16,550 cusecs (469 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 831 sq. miles (2152 km^2).
Flooding
at
Springdale
The Waitoa River at Whakahoro Road reached a gauge height of 9.6 ft (2.93 m) on the 16th.
The Waitoa River at Whakahoro Road had a peak discharge of 1,900 cusecs (53.8 cumecs) on the 16th, with a catchment area of 167 sq. miles (433 km^2).
Flooding
at
Tahuna
The Piako River at Whakahoro Road reached a gauge height of 20.25 ft (6.17 m) on the 15th.
The Piako River at Whakahoro Road had a total discharge of 9,500 cusecs (269 cumecs) - 8,000 cusecs (227 cumecs) plus an overflow of 1,500 cusecs (42 cumecs) extrapolation - on the 15th, with a catchment area of 204 sq. miles (528 km^2).
Flooding
at
Te Kuiti
Mangaokewa Stream at Lawrence Street Bridge in Te Kuiti reached a gauge height of 167.9 ft (51.2 m) during September.
Mangaokewa Stream at Lawrence Street Bridge in Te Kuiti had a peak discharge of 1,000 cusecs (28.3 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 67 sq. miles (174 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Thames
Heavy and persistent rain fell over the Moanataiari.
Flooding
Houses, businesses and the main Karaka shopping centre were flooded on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Tirohia
The Waihou River at Tirohia reached a gauge height of 19.9 ft (6.07 m) on the 15th.
The Waihou River at Tirohia had a peak discharge of 20,500 cusecs (580 cumecs) on the 15th, with a catchment area of 470 sq. miles (1217 km^2).
Flooding
at
Waipa River
The Waipa River at Corboys Farm reached a gauge height of 5.1 ft (1.55 m) during September.
The Waipa River at Corboys Farm had a peak discharge of 4,000 cusecs (113 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 120 sq. miles (311 km^2).
References
- History of Flood Events on the Thames Coast, Environment Waikato.
- Kennedy, D.S. (1963). Notes on Recent Major Floods in the Waikato Valley, Hauraki Plains and Bay of Plenty, N.Z Engineering, January 15,1963.
- Headline: 2 men missing when launch sinks in storm.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 September 1960.
- Headline: Winds, rain sweep north.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 September 1960.
- Owen, R.E. (1963). Hydrology Annual, No.8, 1960. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Shearer, A.R. (1969). Hydrology Annual, No.14 1966. Published by the Ministry of Works, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Two fishermen missing after launch swamped.
- The Waikato Times, 12 September 1960.
- Headline: Flooding closes roads in north.
- The Waikato Times, 13 September 1960.
September 1960 Northland and Waikato Flooding
(
1960-09-10
)
Flooding was experienced in Northland and the Waikato. There were also high winds in Northland, and two men drowned in heavy seas off Mangawhai Heads.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 6 days - From the 10th to the 15th of September.
An Auckland-Whagarei NAC flight was cancelled.
Northland
Flooding
at
Northland
The roads between Whangarei and Russell and between Kawakawa and Paihia were flooded by about 18 in (45 cm) of water. Flood waters blocked the east coast state highway 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Kaeo.
High Wind / Gust
Winds reached 48 knots (89 km/hr) in Northland.
Power and telegraph lines were disrupted. The Kawakawa, Whakapara, Towai and Russell toll circuits were interrupted, and the Maungatoroto toll circuits were disrupted.
Air services were cancelled.
Windows were blown out.
Flooding
at
Kaeo
Water flowed over Hospital Road and the hospital was isolated.
2 ft (60 cm) of water covered the Waikare Avenue-Leigh Street road.
Kaeo District highschools were closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 2.83 in (7.2 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Multi Hazard
Kaikohe Aerodome was closed.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded 2.24 in (5.7 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Heavy Rain
at
Onerahi
Onerahi recorded 2.52 in (6.4 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 11th.
High Wind / Gust
Winds at the Aerodrome reached 48 mph (77 km/hr).
Landslide
at
Mangamuka
A large slip at Mangamuka blocked the state highway from Kaikohe to Kaitaia.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Mangawhai Heads
Two men (49 years old and 30 years old) were presumed drowned after their launch was hit by a big wave and sunk in heavy seas off Mangawhai Heads on the 11th. Another man who was on board survived. Pieces of the boat were found spread over more than 3 miles (4.8 km) of storm-washed shoreline.
There were terrific seas.
High Wind / Gust
Gale force winds gusted to over 50 knots (93 km/hr).
Multi Hazard
at
Whangarei
Whangarei airport was closed on the 12th.
Whangarei recorded 2.15 in (5.5 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 10th.
Whangarei recorded 1.92 in (4.9 cm) of rain in 24 hours on the 11th.
Heavy Rain
at
Whenuapai
Whenuapai recorded 1.03 in (2.6 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Waikato
Flooding
at
Waikato
The return period of the Hauraki Plains and Coromandel flooding was unknown, but estimated as a 10 year event.
Flooding
at
Hamilton
The Waikato River at the Hamilton Traffic Bridge reached a gauge height of 148.95 ft (45.40 m) during September.
The Waikato River at the Hamilton Traffic Bridge had a peak discharge of 21,500 cusecs (609 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 3178 sq. miles (8231 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Hauraki Plains
The Hauraki Plains experienced a period of wet weather in mid-September, with exceptionally heavy falls on the 13th and 14th.
Flooding
Low lying areas of the Plains were again subject to still more severe inundation, after the June-July floods.
All rivers were in high flood, particularly in the middle and lower reaches, where flood heights and discharges were the highest on record since the stopbanking system was constructed in 1920-30.
Flooding was due to the drowned drainage system, the overtopping of stopbanks and the breaching of the Komata Stream stopbank some 15 chains (300 m) above its confluence with the Waihou River.
Approximately 30,000 acres (121 km^2) were inundated. Some 18,000 acres (72.8 km^2) of land was flooded for up to four days and 12,000 acres (48.6 km^2) for over four days, in some cases for seven days.
The overall cost of the two floods (on June-July and Sept) was estimated at well over £250,000 ($9,840,000 2008 dollars).
Flooding
at
Huntly
The Waikato River at the Huntly Pumping Station reached a gauge height of 129.3 ft (39.4 m) during September.
The Waikato River at the Huntly Pumping Station had a peak discharge of 39,200 cusecs (1110 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 4695 sq. miles (12,160 km^2).
Flooding
at
Karangahake
The Ohinemuri River at Karangahake reached a gauge height of 16.35 ft (4.98 m) on the 15th.
The Ohinemuri River at Karangahake had a peak discharge of 25,000 cusecs (708 cumecs) on the 15th, with a catchment area of 111 sq. miles (287 km^2).
Flooding
at
Komata
The Komata stopbank on the Waihou River system failed by overtopping and erosion of the landward face.
High-producing land was flooded.
Flooding
at
Mercer
The Waikato River at Mercer reached a gauge height of 111.8 ft (34.08 m) during September.
The Waikato River at Mercer had a peak discharge of 32,400 cusecs (917 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 5290 sq. miles (13,701 km^2).
Flooding
at
Ngaruawahia
The Waikato River at the Ngaruawahia Cableway reached a gauge height of 136.05 ft (41.47 m) during September.
The Waikato River at the Ngaruawahia Cableway had a peak discharge of 32,600 cusecs (923 cumecs) during Septmeber, with a catchment area of 4400 sq. miles (11,396 km^2).
Flooding
at
Otorohanga
The Waipa River at Honikiwi Bridge reached a gauge height of 109.8 ft (33.47 m) during September.
The Waipa River at Honikiwi Bridge had a peak discharge of 8,000 cusecs (227 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 355 sq. miles (919 km^2).
Flooding
at
Pirongia
The Waipa River at Pirongia Cableway reached a gauge height of 77.2 ft (23.53 m) during September.
The Waipa River at Pirongia Cableway had a peak discharge of 16,550 cusecs (469 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 831 sq. miles (2152 km^2).
Flooding
at
Springdale
The Waitoa River at Whakahoro Road reached a gauge height of 9.6 ft (2.93 m) on the 16th.
The Waitoa River at Whakahoro Road had a peak discharge of 1,900 cusecs (53.8 cumecs) on the 16th, with a catchment area of 167 sq. miles (433 km^2).
Flooding
at
Tahuna
The Piako River at Whakahoro Road reached a gauge height of 20.25 ft (6.17 m) on the 15th.
The Piako River at Whakahoro Road had a total discharge of 9,500 cusecs (269 cumecs) - 8,000 cusecs (227 cumecs) plus an overflow of 1,500 cusecs (42 cumecs) extrapolation - on the 15th, with a catchment area of 204 sq. miles (528 km^2).
Flooding
at
Te Kuiti
Mangaokewa Stream at Lawrence Street Bridge in Te Kuiti reached a gauge height of 167.9 ft (51.2 m) during September.
Mangaokewa Stream at Lawrence Street Bridge in Te Kuiti had a peak discharge of 1,000 cusecs (28.3 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 67 sq. miles (174 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Thames
Heavy and persistent rain fell over the Moanataiari.
Flooding
Houses, businesses and the main Karaka shopping centre were flooded on the 10th.
Flooding
at
Tirohia
The Waihou River at Tirohia reached a gauge height of 19.9 ft (6.07 m) on the 15th.
The Waihou River at Tirohia had a peak discharge of 20,500 cusecs (580 cumecs) on the 15th, with a catchment area of 470 sq. miles (1217 km^2).
Flooding
at
Waipa River
The Waipa River at Corboys Farm reached a gauge height of 5.1 ft (1.55 m) during September.
The Waipa River at Corboys Farm had a peak discharge of 4,000 cusecs (113 cumecs) during September, with a catchment area of 120 sq. miles (311 km^2).
References
- History of Flood Events on the Thames Coast, Environment Waikato.
- Kennedy, D.S. (1963). Notes on Recent Major Floods in the Waikato Valley, Hauraki Plains and Bay of Plenty, N.Z Engineering, January 15,1963.
- Headline: 2 men missing when launch sinks in storm.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 September 1960.
- Headline: Winds, rain sweep north.
- The Northern Advocate, 12 September 1960.
- Owen, R.E. (1963). Hydrology Annual, No.8, 1960. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Shearer, A.R. (1969). Hydrology Annual, No.14 1966. Published by the Ministry of Works, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Headline: Two fishermen missing after launch swamped.
- The Waikato Times, 12 September 1960.
- Headline: Flooding closes roads in north.
- The Waikato Times, 13 September 1960.