The 1986 South Canterbury Floods

Description

DescriptionSouth Canterbury's largest and most expensive flood occurred on 13 March 1986. Many people found themselves isolated and 1160 people were evacuated after twenty-four hours of intensely heavy rainfall.

"The 13 March 1986 flood in South Canterbury is likely to be remembered for some time, with good reason. On the Opihi, Tengawai, Pareora and Waihao Rivers it is probably the largest flood since Febrauary 1868. It was certainly the largest flood this century and greatly exceeded the 21 February 1945 flood. Flood damage to crops and livestock totalled an estimated $60 million" -- Foreword to "Report on flood 13th March 1986" by Frank Scarf

The Aoraki Heritage Collection holds a lending copy of the above report. Please contact us for more information.External LinkNIWA:NZ Historic weather events catalogue: March 1986 Canterbury and Otago FloodingDate13 Mar 1986SubjectDisastersWeather

Event

The December 1957 Canterbury Floods

The July 1961 Canterbury Floods

The March 1994 Canterbury Floods

The April 1951 South Canterbury Floods

Publication

A Timaru Herald Pictorial Special: Flood, South Canterbury - March 1986

Organisation

South Canterbury Catchment Board

Image of a flooded car at Northtown Mall taken from The Timaru Herald flood supplement March 1986.

Connections

PersonFrank ScarfOrganisationCivil DefenceSouth Canterbury Catchment BoardEventThe March 1994 Canterbury FloodsThe April 1951 South Canterbury FloodsThe December 1957 Canterbury FloodsThe July 1961 Canterbury Floods