The Snow of August 1973

Abstract

The heavy snowfall which occurred in Canterbury and North Otago from 5 to 7 August 1973 caused widespread and costly damage to electric power and telephone lines and buildings and disrupted access. Snow, and the heavy rain which fell during the period led to the death of at least 133,000 sheep and 4,100 cattle. Rescue and relief operations were expensive. The State alone paid out $139,366 to farmers, helicopter and bulldozer operators, and cartage contractors for livestock rescue and the provision of emergency feed. A distinctive feature of the snow was that it was at its deepest along the foothills and on the adjoining plains. Depths up to 130 cm (51 in.) were reported, and over five times this in drifts.

This publication consists of a meteorological statement on the event followed by reports from the many bodies concerned with repairing communications or rescuing stock and stranded motorists. It also contains within these reports, and the reports of several post-event meetings, many suggestions for reducing damage and improving rescue efficiency in future.

This is the principal value the Institute sees in compiling this document.