By 4am on Friday, January 27, 1984, the flooding was so severe a state of emergency was declared in Invercargill, and as daylight broke, houses, streets, factories and shops were under water.
The rain kept falling and the flooded rivers were unable to drain out into the Invercargill estuary, particularly at full tide. The water level grew higher and higher.
People were evacuated from houses all over Invercargill, but not only the city was affected. Throughout Southland the water levels rose, and the state of emergency was extended to cover all of the region. The state of emergency was finally lifted on February 27.
As we acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Southland floods this week, it’s timely to recall this was the catalyst for the extensive flood protection construction and upgrades that have buffered us from more severe flood impacts for several decades.
With flooding an ever-present risk, Environment Southland is responsible for maintaining and improving flood protection schemes that protect people, property and livelihoods.
Further investment is needed now and for the future because parts of our flood protection network are at least 30 years old, and more frequent and intense weather events are putting it under pressure.
This investment is a priority for our long-term plan, which we’ll soon be consulting on.
Check our website for updates on the long-term plan and go to cdsouthland.nz for information on reducing the impact of floods, and what to do before, during and after a flood.
- By Nicol Horrell, Environment Southland chairman
