More Info →Flood 2004 - Aorangi Bridge

Object type:Image

Description: High Wind / Gust at North Island CommentWesterly gales blasted over the North Island on the 14th. Affected LifelineHigh winds toppled trees, blocking roads and bringing down power lines. Physical CharacteristicWind gusts of up to 120 km/hr were recorded around the North Island on the 15th. Flooding Affected LifelineIn the lower North Island, 6000 gas users were affected. The main gas pipeline from the Manawatu to Hawke's Bay was closed. ImpactAreas badly affected: the towns of Scotts Ferry, Waitotara, Fielding, Tangimoana, Longburn, Marton and Hunterville. ImpactAreas affected as nearby rivers flooded: the towns of Woodville, Waipurakau and Martinborough, and the city of Wanganui. Property Damage1014 farms were flood-damaged. Stock Damage5000 sheep, and 600-1000 dairy cattle were lost. Area20,000 ha of farmland were under water. EvacueesIn the lower North Island, 2300 people were evacuated. ImpactA week after the flooding started, around 1000 people remained homeless. Three months later 400 homes were still uninhabitable, with 922 people still out of their homes. CommentLocal authorities described the floods as the most devastating in over 100 years. ImpactThere was a major shortage of vegetables in the lower North Island after the floods, and the price of most vegetables increased by over 200% on the 25th as result. Much of the produce destined for Wellington shelves was destroyed by the floods in the Manawatu.