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Flood - New Zealand
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|
Catastrophe Report 5
February 21 - July 21, 2004 |
Flood - New Zealand
| Territory: |
|
New Zealand |
| Region: |
|
Lower North Island (Manuatu –
Wanganui, Taranaki and Wellington) and some parts of the upper
South Island (Marlborough) |
| Date: |
|
15 – 21 February 2004 |
| Event: |
|
Flood |
| Impact: |
|
Gale force winds left 15,000 people without power,
while rising floodwaters led to the evacuation of more than
1,000 people. In some parts of the affected areas up to 70 percent
of roads were underwater, with the capital – Wellington
– cut off for a time. Key roads, including State Highways
4, 54 and 56 were partially closed, along with many local and
provincial roads. At least 19 bridges were destroyed or badly
damaged, along with a major gas pipeline. Over 1,500 phone lines
were out of commission and water supplies and sewerage systems
were seriously affected. A state of emergency was declared over
much of the lower North Island, affecting around 200,000 people.
Two deaths were reported. Agriculture and Forestry was also
badly hit, with serious arable and livestock losses. Estimates
of the cost of the agricultural losses range between NZ$159
and NZ$180 million. Insured losses totalled NZ$112 million. |
| Summary: |
|
The worst Summer storm for 40 years struck the
lower North Island on February 15th and 16th, causing structural
damage and triggering landslides, erosion and widespread and
locally severe flooding. Wind speeds as high as 150 km h were
recorded around the capital Wellington, where rainfall was already
four times greater than average for February. Torrential rains
continued into February 21st resulting in the levels of major
rivers reaching a 100 year high. Levels of the Manawatu river
were the second highest ever recorded (after 1902), while peak
discharge on the Rangitikei river was the third highest since
1897. |
| Data sources: |
|
ReliefWeb
http://wwww.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vLND?OpenView&Start=30
Insurance Council of New Zealand
http://www.icnz.org.nz/consumer/personal/cost.htm |
| Additional sources:
|
|
NASA Earth Observatory
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=11964
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