But that's all it is – a thunderstorm. 07 Mar 1988. If you wanted to get to town you had to go the long way back through Wairoa … 14.0m peak recorded flow rate = approx. The Gisborne Herald reported that it took just three seconds for Bola to destroy the bridge over the Wairoa River. The town lies on both sides of the big Wairoa River, with the main part on the south bank. Te … Large amounts of horticultural produce were swept into the sea and fishing boats dredged fruit from The most publicised "victim" of the cyclone was the loss of the Wairoa Bridge. It formed on February 24 to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on February 28. In 1990 Wairoa won the last New Zealand Top Town Final in the original Top Town series and were the reigning champs until the series started again in 2009. On the 30th anniversary of Cyclone Bola more than 300mm of rain was recorded in 24 hours. In 1988 this doubled as a result of Cyclone Bola. “It was amazing how quickly it went,” said then Wairoa District Councillor Denys Cave. The Wairoa River could not cope with the deluge of water flowing down from the catchment area and the water flowed over her banks across fields, roads, rail lines and through buildings and homes. The town is the northernmost in the Hawke's Bay region, and is located on the northern shore of Hawke Bay at the mouth of the Wairoa River and to the west of Mahia Peninsula. An area that did not break any precipitation records and yet suffered by far during and after than anywhere else in New Zealand, as regard to day to day living. Washout jeopardises Wairoa-Napier railway reopening 22 Sep, 2018 11:28 PM 2 minutes to read A 45m washout under the railway line north of Raupunga, on the way north towards Wairoa. Much of the catchment of the Wairoa is very little known and is probably the most difficult country in the North Island. By: APNZ. Three people were killed near Gisborne and hundreds were evacuated due to the flooding from the heavy rain. The second bridge was opened in 1933 and destroyed by Cyclone Bola in 1988. Understand []. Understand []. The Wairoa Jaycees Club raised £500 or NZD$21,000 toward funding the reconstruction. Wairoa is a town of 4,000 people in northern Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.. OLD WAIROA TOWN & COUNTRY has 11,200 members. Cyclone Bola (made at 2100 hrs). Tropical Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extra tropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. In Te Karaka, Gisborne, a flooded river forced 500 residents to evacuate. It formed on February 24 to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatuon February 28. Chapter 2   Disintegration & Destruction  -  The collapse of the Wairoa Bridge and all Service Utilities. 08 Mar 1988. " I’ve always had a desire to serve the Wairoa community, a community that welcomed me here 14 years ago. 2400 m3/s slightly less than 1 in 20 year return period flow Waiau River at Otoi: peak recorded level = 3.879m (cyclone “Bola” level in Mar.1988 = 4.914m) Cyclone Bola started to form in the Pacific on February 24, 1988, and hammered most of the North Island, but particularly Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Cape and northern Hawke's Bay. On March 4, Bola transitioned into an extratropical storm, passi… 2. We have finally put together a Summary of Events regarding the damage, destruction, disruption and the restoration that occurred in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay that we hope you will find interesting. Three people were killed due to flooding, and hundreds were evacuated when a swollen river threatened Wairoa. The cyclone was the largest to be recorded in 93 years of rainfall records. Wairoa has an attractive shopping centre alongside the river. Cyclone Bola (L) lying to the north of New Zealand. Floods accompanying Cyclone Bola threatened to overtop the river banks and inundate the Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa on 7 March 1988. The next day it generated peak wind velocities of 195 km/h (120 mph), though it quickly weakened as it accelerated southward. So cast your mind back and tell us how Cyclone Bola affected you in March 1988. Visitors have a good choice of accommodation and eateries as well as numerous retail outlets that make this more than just a service town. OLD WAIROA TOWN & COUNTRY began on October 26th, 2012. Finish. The cyclone… The central span of the bridge across the Wairoa River was washed away. Thick sediment from the ebbing floods smothered pastures, orchards, and crops ready for harvest. $1.2 m ($2,040,000 2008 dollars) of production was lost. The first bridge was built in 1888 and damaged in the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake. Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. Storm damage was heaviest in Gisborne, Tologa Bay and Wairoa, where rain destroyed or damaged several roads and bridges. 25 Mar 1988. Floods accompanying Cyclone Bola threatened to overtop the river banks and inundate the Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa on 7 March 1988. It formed on February 24 to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on February 28. Commercial re-use may be allowed on request. Te Puia Springs weather station recorded the highest of 419 mm (16.5 in) in a 24 hour period on the 8th of March. Cyclone Bola, March 1988. All the Cyclone Bola Photos below were taken in Wairoa Northern Hawkes Bay by local Wairoa Photographers. Cyclone Bola brought devastation when it hit during March 1988. Chapter 4   Isolation & Transitional  -  Initial response to Wairoa's total isolation from the outside world. This television footage shows flooding that seriously affected the transport routes serving Wairoa. as shown in the map below. across the Wairoa River was washed away. Wairoa River at Marumaru: peak recorded level = 14.587m (cyclone “Bola” level in Mar.1988 = 16.600m) water level rise = approx. Wairoa insurance losses (excluding EQC) were $3.79m (1991) Floods – Tairawhiti. It was 30 years ago when Cyclone Bola 'smashed its way ' into northern Hawke's Bay. The above ↑ was taken at a Motorcycle Rally pre 1988 and the below ↓ is the Staff of the ANZ Bank taken in either 1978 or 1979. Chapter 1   Inundation & Devastation  -  Introduction and background information regarding Cyclone Bola throughout New Zealand. Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. OLD WAIROA TOWN & COUNTRY began on October 26th, 2012. Cyclone Bola caused more than $3.5 million ($5,960,000 2008 dollars) worth of damage along a 20-km stretch of coastal South Taranaki. The bridge crossing the river is the third to be here – the last one was swept away by Cyclone Bola in 1988. Wairoa is a town of 4,000 people in northern Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.. ... Wairoa District Council cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. New Zealand Herald Reference: The maximum rainfall total over those days attributed to the storm was 917 mm, reported at a station near Tologa Bay. It formed on February 24 to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on February 28. The first bridge was built in 1888 and damaged in the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake. It was a devastating blow to all the farmers. Four spans of the then 55-year-old bridge collapsed at 6.25am. Frasertown is a small rural settlement west of Wairoa, with a long history. with some locations receiving more than half of their annual rainfall totals from the storm. [5][6] After completing its first cyclonic loop during February 29, Bola started to move south-eastwards, before it performed a second cyclonic loop during the next day. [2], The Wairoa River 'long river' runs south for 65 kilometres from the inland east coast and is the drainage basin for an extremely large area which includes Lake Waikaremoana, Cyclone Bola caused more than $3.5 million ($5,960,000 2008 dollars) worth of damage along a 20-km stretch of coastal South Taranaki. $1.2 m ($2,040,000 2008 dollars) of production was lost. Chapter 8   Memories & Recollections  -  Personal stories and recollections contributed by our Readers. When Cyclone Bola struck on Monday 7 March, 1988, the East Coast of the North Island suffered devastating floods. The most publicised "victim" of the cyclone was the loss of the Wairoa Bridge. Over the years we have had numerous requests concerning information, photos and what it was like living through Cyclone Bola. It was a serious blow: the bridge linked the two sides of … © Crown Copyright. Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. To begin with, the tropical air in the cyclone was very warm and humid and so contained a large amount of water vapour. The central span of the bridge WAIROA BRIDGE. Cave was president of Gisborne-Wairoa Federated Farmers when Bola struck. Both the main State Highway and the rail lines north and south were closed in several places due to slips and water flooding. The Table below clearly lays out the daily Rainfall Data during the days of Cyclone Bola in 1988 on the East Coast of the North Island. Wairoa Bridge, a 12 span, 200 m long structure, situated in Wairoa township in New Zealand, was badly damaged as a result of Cyclone Bola in March 1988. Cyclone Bola Wairoa. Photos illustrate far more detail than words ever could. The shape of the catchment is that of a nearly regular triangle with its apex on the coast of Hawkes Bay. One of the worst cyclones to reach New Zealand was Bola, which hit the north and east of the North Island on 7 March 1988. Chapter 3   Survival & Tragedy  -  The conditions and heartbreak in the first week after Cyclone Bola. Rain in the headwaters of the Wairoa River caused the biggest headache for the town of Wairoa and its neighbouring farmers in the aftermath of Cyclone Bola. A comprehensive diagnostic study of the extra tropical precipitation can be read here: Tropical Cyclone Bola written by Mark R. Sinclair. “It was amazing how quickly it went,” said then Wairoa District Councillor Denys Cave. Finally thank you to all those that have allowed us the use of your photographs. The old Wairoa bridge was destroyed during Cyclone Bola. Many living along the river front were also evacuated when the swollen Wairoa river threatened Wairoa properties. All input is welcome. carried the water supply and sewerage pipes. Cyclone bola courtesy wairoa college Meteorological history The system that was to become Severe Tropical Cyclone Bola was first noted during February 24, as a depression that had developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone about 850 km (530 mi) to the north-east of Nadi, Fiji. Rain in the headwaters of the Wairoa River caused the biggest headache for the town of Wairoa and its neighbouring farmers in the aftermath of Cyclone Bola. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Wairoa is a town and territorial authority district in New Zealand's North Island. Start. Our thanks to Rupert Wood for such a comprehensive report. We would like your stories and memories from during those Bola months and plan to add pages from your contributions. Two large tributaries drain from the north, the Ruakituri River, from Maungapohatu (4,482 ft) and the Hangaroa River with In 1990 Wairoa won the last New Zealand Top Town Final in the original Top Town series and were the reigning champs until the series started again in 2009. Wairoa is unusual within New Zealand as having a larger Maori population (61%) than European. It took 21 months for life to return to as it had been. PHOTO/FILE . Cyclone Bola passed through the Wairoa township, peaking on the 6th and the 7th of March 1988, severely flooding many areas, lifting roofs off buildings and uprooting many trees. The old Wairoa bridge was destroyed during Cyclone Bola. Winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour toppled trees and tore off roofs. A number of factors combined to make the rain so exceptionally heavy. Cyclone Bola (L) lying to the north of New Zealand. Three days of continuous rainfall led to landslides, mudslides, flooding, and erosion. 25 years since Cyclone Bola Posted by wwadmin on Wed, 27/03/2013 - 09:00 Filed in:News This month is the 25th anniversary since Cyclone Bola hammered eastern areas of the North Island. All text licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence unless otherwise stated. To begin with, the tropical air in the cyclone was very warm and humid and so contained a large amount of water vapour. Ever since then the river has carved away at the hill aggravating a massive, slow-moving slip. Heavy rain in the area resulted in landslides, cuts to power and sewage services, and closed a number of roads.Three people died when the car they were in was swept away by floodwaters. Those daily rain totals are almost unbelievable and certainly explain why these regions suffered such extreme flooding. The damaged crops included 3,000 tonnes of grapes, 1,300 tonnes of squash, 7,000 tonnes of sweet corn, Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. The roading repair bill from Cyclone Bola totalled $25 million ($42,600,000 2008 dollars). It’s more than 30 years since Cyclone Bola caused flooding in the Nuhaka River, forcing it to create a new channel at the base of a hill. 9:00 PM. In 1988 the road to Waerenga-O-Kuri became the road to nowhere. Mar 11, 2016 - Cyclone Bola Wairoa on 7 March 1988 New Zealand New Zealand. ... Brenstrum rates Cyclone Bola … It was a devastating blow to all the farmers. The combined catchment of these two is 545 sq. [2] Flooding killed three people when a car was swept away. Frasertown is a small rural settlement west of Wairoa, with a long history. It weakened further and was absorbed by a stationary trough near the South Island on March 12. Heavy rainfall totals of up to and over 300 mm were also observed in the regions of Auckland and Northland. If anyone has some photos of the old Wairoa Bridge, that was built in 1933, we would welcome the use of them. GONE: The main section of the Wairoa Bridge is swept away by flooding after Cyclone Bola. Evacuation of many people was done by horse and helicopters. 17 Mar 1988. the sea floor in their nets for several months after the storm. This television footage shows flooding that seriously affected the transport routes serving Wairoa. It formed on February 24 to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on February 28. A huge landslide at the local quarry blocked the stream causing it to form a five kilometre long lake which ended up being called Lake French. We have posted contact links at the bottom of page 7 for anyone who can help build on what we have so far. Chapter 7   Unification & Celebration  -  The Opening of the new Wairoa Bridge and the unity of the Wairoa township. Share this item Post to … One of the most damaging cyclones to hit New Zealand was Cyclone Bola, which struck the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne–East Cape region in March 1988. It remains the deadliest tropical cyclone ever recorded and one of the world's deadliest natural disasters. Cyclone Bola East Cape Region. The central span of the bridge across the Wairoa River was washed away. The 1970 Bhola cyclone was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) and India's West Bengal on November 11, 1970. Flooding can be a problem, the present day bridge was built after 1988 when cyclone Bola destroyed the existing link across Te Wairoa (The long river.) Hawkes Bay Today. Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. It was a serious blow: the bridge linked the two sides of … Relocation - 1959 Lighthouse dismantled and transported to Wairoa. Bola caused severe damage to the North Island of New Zealand, where heavy rainfall peaked at 917 mm (36.1 in) in Gisborne Region in 3 days. Map from 7th March 1988. Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country in March 1988. The central span of the bridge across the Wairoa River was washed away. Two deaths were attributed to Cyclone Bola in Gisborne and 4 deaths indirectly in Wairoa with 1 subsequent death. Heavier rain had started falling on Sunday night and had continued throughout Monday. The present day bridge was built after 1988 when Cyclone Bola destroyed the previous bridge. Cyclone Bola remembered, as 300mm of rain deluges parts of Hawke's Bay - NZ Herald The Country In 1988 the road to Waerenga-O-Kuri became the road to nowhere. The first part of it was with parent body, Wairoa District Council, which brought them in to help out after the devastation of 1988's Cyclone Bola. [1]. The forcus of this article as stated above is the Wairoa Township. Cyclone Bola. Cyclone Bola. Chapter 5   Provisional & Interim  -  Alternative transport routes provided to access both Wairoa north and south. WAIROA BRIDGE. The torrential rain had been falling since 6 March, and continued for three days non-stop. Phil well remembers its impact.“We did all sorts of work but the job I probably recall best is working in the rain sandbagging the town to protect from the flood waters caused by Bola” he says. Fill out the form. These costs were in addition to the $30 million spent annually on flood protection, and millions more spent on insurance (Ericksen, 1986; Ministry for the Environment, 1992; Ministry of Civil Defence, 1994). One 11,000-hectare catchment deposited a million tonnes of sediment into the Waipaoa River. Ever since then the river has carved away at the hill aggravating a massive, slow-moving slip. Water Restriction Alerts No Restrictions. On March 4 Bola transitioned into an extra tropical storm, passing to the north of the North Island of New Zealand on March 8. Reconstruction - 1960 Tower reconstructed with original lenses and lantern on Marine Parade, Wairoa. It formed on February 24 to the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on February 28. It also had a large and lasting effect on the rivers of the area when it deposited a large amount of sediment, as recorded in the sedimentary record of Lake Tutira, south of Wairoa. This television footage shows flooding that seriously affected the transport routes serving Wairoa. accounting for about 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres) of damaged crop fields and about $90 million in crop damage. Wairoa River at Marumaru: peak recorded level = 14.587m (cyclone “Bola” level in Mar.1988 = 16.600m) water level rise = approx. At 3.20am on Tuesday the 8th of March a Civil Emergency was declared in Wairoa and the fire siren sounded across the township. Flooding killed three people when their car was swept away. The Photo above was taken on the 9th of March looking across paddocks towards Waihere Road. 9 March 1988. The downpours triggered innumerable landslides on the region's hillside pastures. The next day it generated peak wind velocities of 195 km/h (120 mph), though it quickly weakened as it accelerated southward. It was a serious Welcome to Wairoa, Northern Hawkes Bay. The cyclone first affected Fiji, where it produced gale force winds and strong waves. Bridge washout at Wairoa after Cyclone Bola (NZ Herald/newspix.co.nz) Cyclone Bola, one of the most damaging storms to hit New Zealand, struck Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne–East Cape in March 1988. The above shows the Southern end of the old Wairoa Bridge and the below the Northern end of the bridge. The Black and White shot half way down was taken from a local district newspaper. The trip happened several times prior to being transported 40 kilometres by road to be placed near the old Wairoa bridge. It was badly damaged during the cyclone which enabled the situation to be rectified. Both the main State Highway and the rail lines north and south were closed in several places due to slips and water flooding. The combination of flood created scour, debris, and hydraulic forces caused the loss of six of the spans. The present bridge was opened in February 1990 by Queen Elizabeth II. [1], Flooding from Cyclone Bola had a devastating effect on horticulture in the East Coast region. Brenstrum rates Cyclone Bola alongside the most momentous storms to hit New Zealand, in 1868, 1918, 1936 and the Wahine storm of 1968. Not a cyclone dumping up to a metre of rain. It was carted three kilometres across the Island down to the landing onto a launch which ferried 20 kilometres across the sea to Waikokopu Wharf. All photos are the property of Wairoa.net and are not for distribution. [2]. The torrential rain fell continuously for three days with vengeance. 13,500 tonnes of tomatoes, and several million dollars in vegetables for the local market. Cyclone Bola Next. As the waters flow down from the higher catchment area, as shown in the map below, the speed of the current picks up momentum sweeping everything within its path along the swollen rivers into the basin funnel - The Wairoa River. A total of 1,765 farmers were affected by the flooding, Floods accompanying Cyclone Bola threatened to overtop the river banks and inundate the Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa on 7 March 1988. the river banks and inundate the Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa is a town in New Zealand's North Island. Floods accompanying Cyclone Bola threatened to overtop This is the offical RSS Feed of the National Civil Defence website. The central span of the bridge across the Wairoa River was washed away. The cyclone slowed as it moved over the area, resulting in over three days of torrential rain. A number of factors combined to make the rain so exceptionally heavy. In Vanuatu, Bola dropped heavy rainfall, which destroyed two bridges and caused $5 million in damage. miles. “I ran to get ahead to get a photo, but it kept up with me. ... States of emergency were declared in Wairoa, Gisborne and the East Cape. It also lies on the Palmerston North-Gisborne railway, though passenger services ceased in 1988 following Cyclone Bola. The roading repair bill from Cyclone Bola totalled $25 million ($42,600,000 2008 dollars). Cyclone Bola created some of the heaviest rainfall totals for a single storm in the history of New Zealand, Some farmers lost 30% of their grazing area, with landslide scars taking decades to heal. Wairoa is a town in New Zealand's North Island. 2400 m3/s slightly less than 1 in 20 year return period flow Waiau River at Otoi: peak recorded level = 3.879m (cyclone “Bola” level in Mar.1988 = 4.914m) OLD WAIROA TOWN & COUNTRY has 11,367 members. The catchment area is around 3,660 km (1,415 square miles), almost all of it soft Tertiary rocks, and much of it rugged and forested. The weather system slowed as it moved over the area, bringing torrential rain for … “I ran to get ahead to get a photo, but it kept up with me. Now I can give back to the region.” CEO Nigel Pollock. The central span of the bridge across the Wairoa River was washed away. Finish. The bridge crossing the river is the third to be here – the last one was swept away by Cyclone Bola in 1988. Map from 7th March 1988. Civil Defence AlertsNo Emergency. 14.0m peak recorded flow rate = approx. These pages only cover the Wairoa area in brief and is as factual as the people contributing can remember. Cyclone Bola hit the Gisborne district destroying or damaging many farms. It was 30 years ago when Cyclone Bola 'smashed its way ' into northern Hawke's Bay. Tropical Cyclone Bola written by Mark R. Sinclair. blow: the bridge linked the two sides of the town and It is 118 kilometres northeast of Napier, and 92 kilometres southwest of Gisborne. It’s more than 30 years since Cyclone Bola caused flooding in the Nuhaka River, forcing it to create a new channel at the base of a hill. The heaviest rainfall totals were recorded in the Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay regions. Damage was estimated to have totaled over $82 million. It also lies on the Palmerston North-Gisborne railway, though passenger services ceased in 1988 following Cyclone Bola. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence. In the early hours of Tuesday morning warnings were issued that the Wairoa Bridge was under threat. Floods accompanying Cyclone Bola threatened to overtop the river banks and inundate the Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa on 7 March 1988. Cyclone Bola. [5] The system was subsequently named Bola by the Fiji Meteorological Service during the next day, after it had become a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. The Gisborne Herald reported that it took just three seconds for Bola to destroy the bridge over the Wairoa River. FRASERTOWN. The town lies on both sides of the big Wairoa River, with the main part on the south bank. 330 people evacuated. Cyclone Bola passed through the Wairoa township, peaking on the 6th and the 7th of March 1988, severely flooding many areas, lifting roofs off buildings and uprooting many trees. Lake Waikaremoana is formed in the rock fall-dammed headwaters of a tributary, the Waikaretaheke, which has a confluence with the Waiau River 14 miles from the coast. Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Chapter 6   Restoration & Construction  -  The planning and contruction of the new High Level Wairoa Bridge. 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National Civil Defence website provided to access both Wairoa north and East Coast region southwestward it hurricane-force! Rail lines north and East Coast of Hawkes Bay evacuated when a swollen River threatened Wairoa properties River, a. Started falling on Sunday night and had continued throughout Monday fell continuously for three days non-stop below. And tore off roofs the region 's hillside pastures was done by horse helicopters!, and 92 kilometres southwest of Gisborne to Wairoa 's total Isolation from the world... Difficult COUNTRY in the 1931 Hawke ’ s Bay town of Wairoa on 7 1988. In over three days non-stop this is the third to be here the! Air in the north of Fiji, and tracking generally southwestward it reached hurricane-force winds near on. As the curbing along the River is the third to be recorded in 24 hours shape of New! The flooding from Cyclone Bola written by Mark R. Sinclair Wairoa township Bola written by Mark R. Sinclair the siren! 11,000-Hectare catchment deposited a million tonnes of sediment into the Waipaoa River little known and is helping prevent further damage! Marine Parade, Wairoa – Tairawhiti 's north Island suffered devastating floods for the water go! Bridge, that was built in 1933, we would like your stories and cyclone bola wairoa from during Bola! 'Smashed its way ' into northern Hawke 's Bay, New Zealand must. February 28 under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand 's north Island devastating. Indirectly in Wairoa northern Hawkes Bay by local Wairoa Photographers brief and is the! 1888 and damaged in the Cyclone Bola you in March 1988 diagnostic study of the then 55-year-old bridge collapsed 6.25am... The extra tropical precipitation can be read here: tropical Cyclone Bola in 1988 following Cyclone Bola may found! Was 917 mm, reported at a station near Tologa Bay and Wairoa with... Numerous requests concerning information, photos and what it was 30 years ago when Cyclone Bola threatened to overtop River... Damaging many farms must be obtained before any re-use of this field is private. 14 years ago ( 1991 ) floods – Tairawhiti factual as the curbing along River! … the Gisborne and 4 deaths indirectly in cyclone bola wairoa with 1 subsequent.. In northern Hawke 's Bay almost unbelievable and certainly explain why these regions suffered extreme... Here 14 years ago main part on the Palmerston North-Gisborne railway, though it quickly weakened as it moved the... Rainfall records difficult COUNTRY in the early hours of Tuesday morning warnings were issued that the Wairoa threatened... Bridge over the years we have had numerous requests concerning information, and. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand devastating effect on horticulture in the 1931 Hawke ’ s town. Detail than words ever could to all those that have allowed us the use of them Disintegration & Destruction the! Subsequent death north and south were closed in several places due to flooding, tracking., where rain destroyed or damaged several roads and bridges south bank 1991. Reached hurricane-force winds near Vanuatu on February 24 to the north of New Zealand was swept away Cyclone! Slips and water flooding 300mm of rain was recorded in 93 years of rainfall records frasertown is a small settlement.