1936 New Zealand cyclone

New Zealand meteorological event July 2017January 2024 The 1936 New Zealand Cyclone was an unnamed tropical cyclone originating near the Solomon Islands that struck New Zealand on 1 February 1936 causing widespread flooding and destruction. The cyclone claimed at least 12 lives in New Zealand.Eight destructive New Zealand storms, Marilynn McLachlan, New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 4:00 PM Friday 14 March 2014 Retrieved 26 January 2016 Origins and track The cyclone formed south of the Solomon Islands on 28 January 1936. It then travelled southeast where it met with a cold front which caused it to intensify prior to hitting the North Island of New Zealand on 1 February. On 1 February it was centred near Norfolk Island. During the night it increased in speed and intensity, with the centre passing over Auckland. By 9 am on 2 February, it was centred near Kawhia and by Monday, 3 February the storm centre had passed over the Chatham Islands.Meteorological, Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 3, retrieved 26 January 2016Origin of storm, Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 29, 4 February 1936, Page 4 The barometer in Auckland dropped to 28.57 inHg hPa on at the storm's peak. Impact The cyclone brought heavy rain which caused every major river in the North Island to flood. Its winds destroyed buildings from Picton to Kaitaia, ripped up footpaths, and toppled thousands of trees. Power was lost, and roads and railway lines were cut throughout the island. There was flash flooding, with thousands of cattle and sheep drowned. Whangārei Whangārei township and its business district were flooded.North flooded, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 9 Auckland In Auckland, 40 boats were sunk or driven ashore, trees were uprooted, roofs blown off houses, and windows blown in. The wind was estimated to have been gusting to 90 mph.Stormswept, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 8 Thames There was severe flooding at Thames.Water-swept, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 9 Manawatu and Wairarapa The Manawatu and Wairarapa had the strongest southerly winds. Manakau, Kuku, and Levin houses were damaged by the winds.One killed, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 9 In Palmerston North, many houses lost roofs, the showgrounds main stand lost its roof, the Fitzherbert Avenue sports ground stand lost its roof, power and telegraph poles were broken, trees were uprooted, St Chad's church and hall in Longburn were destroyed, a railway settlement hut was blown over injuring its occupant, a motor upholstery and paint shop was destroyed, and numerous shop windows were blown in. The Manawatu River reached 15 ft 9 in on its flood gauge, 3 in 1 more than the previous highest flood. The Feilding aeroclub hangar and two aeroplanes were destroyed. Wellington The Rangatira struck an object while entering Wellington heads and was badly holed.Rangatira strikes object off Wellington Heads, Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21697, 3 February 1936, Page 10 The steamer John broke her moorings and was driven ashore near the Hutt River mouth.Steamer ashore in Wellington Harbour, Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21698, 4 February 1936, Page 16 Deaths Twelve people lost their lives. Auckland province: two men drowned – a mine caretaker at Waiomio and a young man at Kaitaia.Track of the storm, New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22333, 3 February 1936, Page 8Three lives lost, New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22333, 3 February 1936, Page 10 Mangatangi: two men, F A Mikoz and Mr Smith, drowned.One drowned, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 29, 4 February 1936, Page 9 Masterton: two youths lost their lives, one while deer stalking, and the other while clearing storm damaged trees.Storm victims, New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22334, 4 February 1936, Page 10 Ngatea: A baker, J Montgomery, went missing near the Ngatea River, presumed drowned.Storm toll, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 30, 5 February 1936, Page 9 New Plymouth: Mr W F McLeod and his son Angus on the launch Mokau were lost at sea.Service at Sea, New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22345, 17 February 1936, Page 10 Palmerston North man, Benjamin Miller, was knocked from roof by roofing iron while attempting to repair the roof and died.Fatal accident, New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22334, 4 February 1936, Page 13 Tararua Ranges: a tramper, Ralph Wood, died of exposure on 2 February.Mountain grave, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 31, 6 February 1936, Page 8 Thames: G F Webster died when a slip damming the Puhoi River gave way destroying his house.Drowned in flood, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 31, 6 February 1936, Page 10 Aftermath The intensity of the storm and its suddenness caused consternation in Auckland about the lack of warning. The local press questioned the ability of the weather bureau in Wellington to adequately cover the weather for Auckland and Northland.Storm puzzle, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 30, 5 February 1936, Page 9 The Director of Meteorological Services, Dr Edward Kidson, responded that there was no way to know the changes to a storm at sea and regardless of where the service was based no better warning could have been given.Storm forecast, Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 32, 7 February 1936, Page 11 References 30em External links New Zealand Geographic story, written in 1997 Cyclone Category:Tropical cyclones in New Zealand Category:Meteorological events in 1936 Category:1936 natural disasters Category:1936 disasters in New Zealand Category:Floods in New Zealand Category:February 1936 in Oceania