Hawke's Bay Floods

[jrj]

Who says that the weather is getting more extreme? One doesn't have to be a global warning fear-monger to predict that it will happen again. On the plus side: river courses and stop-banks have been designed to lessen any devastation; on the minus side: Residential development has spread out across previousy flood-prone areas.

Hawke's Bay Major Floods (courtesy of HB Regional Council)

1867
Between May 25 and June 4, Napier received 380mm of rain. The Tutaekuri, Tukituki and Ngaruroro Rivers all burst their banks and caused extensive flooding. Local Maori said it was the worst flood in 40 years.

1893
Heavy rainfall on December 4 saw the Tutaekuri and Ngaruroro Rivers burst their banks and cause widespread damage. The Waipawa River reached its highest-ever levels.

1897
In mid-April Napier received 356mm of rain over four days. Napier and Clive were flooded after the Tutaekuri River burst its banks and joined the Ngaruroro River.

1917
On June 13 heavy rain caused widespread flooding in Napier. 187mm of rain fell over 36 hours.

1936
On February 1 a cyclonic storm resulted in extensive flooding throughout Hawke's Bay.

1938
On April 23-25 there was severe flooding in Esk Valley after exceptionally heavy rain. Several house were destroyed. 1000mm of rain fell at Puketitiri over three days. 610mm fell at Tutira.

1941
On May 4 very heavy rain fell in southern Hawke's Bay. More than 400mm fell in 24 hours in Porangahau and the Porangahau River rose 14.3m above normal causing extensive damage.

1953
On January 27-28 exceptionally heavy rain fell over the Wanstead, Elsthorpe and Maraetotara area. In the Mangarouhi Valley 349mm of rain fell in 24 hours.

1974
On June 15 Napier flooded after 157mm of rain fell in 24 hours.

1980
On December 28 the Ngaruroro River breached its stopbank at Twyford, resulting in serious flooding.

1988
On March 7-10 Cyclone Bola caused considerable damage in the Gisborne and Wairoa districts. The highest total rainfall for the three days was 635mm at Pukeorapa.