Severe weather – Waikato
Cyclone Fergus
Start
30 Dec 1997
5:11 PM
Finish
31 Dec 1997
3:00 PM
Declared at 1711 for Thames - Coromandel District, Waihi and Paeroa Ward of Hauraki and Te Aroha Ward of Matamata-Piako. Terminated at 0915 for the outer wards and at 1500 for T-C. Cyclone Fergus. About 2000 displaced holiday-makers. About 350 in temporary accommodation. 1 death
Severe weather – Hawke's Bay
Wairoa District Storm
Start
02 Jun 1997
7:00 PM
Finish
03 Jun 1997
9:00 PM
Declared at 1900, terminated at 2100 next day. About 166 people evacuated at Nuhaka after flooding and power failure associated with storm. DRC appointed for 14 days
Other – Canterbury
Oupha Dam failure
Start
06 Feb 1997
2:05 AM
Finish
8:20 AM
Declared at 0205, terminated at 0820. About 200 residents evacuated from Stratheona and Butlers Crossing when 40 metre Opuha Dam overfilled and failed releasing 13 x 106m3 of water. Normal flow of the Opuha 30-40 cumecs, peaked at 1500 cumecs.
Severe weather – Waikato
Cyclone Drena
Start
11 Jan 1997
9:40 AM
Finish
12 Jan 1997
5:00 PM
Declared at 0940, terminated at 1700 next day. Cyclone Drena. About 140 evacuated at Moanatairi. 3 deaths.