Floods
Serious flooding has occurred in most parts of New Zealand at some time or other.
Floods are the most common cause of a Civil Defence emergency.
What you can do to help yourself
Before a flood strikes:
- Find out about the worst flood in your area. (Talk to your local council).
- Calculate where such a flood would reach in your home.
- Know how to reach the nearest high ground.
- Keep your valuables above what you estimate to be the high water mark.
- Store weedkillers, insecticides and other household chemicals above your estimated high water line.
When a flood threatens:
- Listen to your radio for information. Follow Civil Defence advice and instructions.
- Move all possessions possible above the reach of flood water.
- If you are told to evacuate, make sure you wear suitable footwear and warm clothing.
- Take your Getaway kit with you.
- Turn electricity off at the mains if told to do so.
- Make sure your pets are safe.
Whanganui River flood history
| Year |
Date |
Effects |
| 1857 |
December 3 |
Flood waters swept over the flat land of Sedgebrook (Wanganui East) and Putiki. |
1858 |
September 29 |
Flood waters swept over the flat land on both sides of the river. "…over the flat land at Putiki Pa, completely wrecking most of the raupo huts." Rev. William Taylor |
1891 |
February 13 |
Floodwaters inundate parts of the lower City. |
1904 |
May 26 |
Four feet of water on Taupo Quay. Riverbank undermined at Taylorsville (Putiki Drive), causing a house and a shop to fall into the river. East Town extensively flooded, Sedgebrook Flat completely under water. Water also in Wicksteed Street. |
1940 |
February 25 |
It is estimated that the river rose 60 feet in its narrow reaches at Pipiriki. Four feet of water covered the peg above the road marking the 1904 flood. Water overflowed the banks above the town bridge and covered Taupo Quay to such a depth that boats could be rowed upon it. Anzac Parade and lower Victoria Avenue were also submerged. |
1945 |
October 29 |
Houses on Anzac Parade were surrounded by flood. |
1990 |
March 10
15 metres at Pipiriki |
Some Anzac Parade residents evacuated. 22 homes flooded to a depth of up to one metre. These homes were vacant for six months while drying out and restoration work was completed. Whanganui River Road badly damaged. Anzac Parade badly underscored at Shakespeare Cliff. |
1994 |
November 8-9 |
Anzac Parade residents evacuated as a precaution. Water came to within 15cm of the top of the stopbanks. |
1998 |
July 31
13.8 metres at Pipiriki |
Anzac Parade road flooded by back-flow from stormwater drains. Dublin Street Bridge closed because of sightseers. Access to Whanganui River Road cut. 30 cars stuck at Upokongaro for most of the day. Slip on SH4 at Benefields and Somme Parade at Kells/Quick Ave. |
1998 |
October 13, 21, 29
Highest level was 12.57 metres at Pipiriki |
Three separate fronts swept over the North Island that brought three separate freshes down the Whanganui River. Parapara closed. Whanganui River Road closed at Shell Rock. One school and Kohanga Reo closed. |
2000 |
October 1-3
13.69 metres at Pipiriki |
Rain came in three fronts, so it took three days for the river to rise. Anzac Parade residents warned. No evacuations. Stopbank at James McGregor Park weakened. Riverbank fell in at Shakespeare Cliff. |
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