Cyclone Bola created some of the largest rainfall totals for a single storm in the history of New Zealand, with some locations receiving more than half of their annual rainfall totals from the storm.
While the cyclone passed north of the island, a strong easterly flow over the North Island contained the interaction between moist air from Bola and drier air from the ridge to its southeast.
In the Gisborne region, the flow resulted in the heaviest rainfall totals, when the moisture ascended over the region's western mountainous areas and condensed into precipitation.
One station recorded 419 mm (16.5 in) in a 24‑hour period.
The maximum rainfall total attributed to the storm was 917 mm (36.1 in), reported at a station near Tolaga Bay.
Heavy rainfall totals of up to and over 300 mm (12 in) were observed in the regions of Auckland and Northland.
The cyclone is the largest to be recorded in 93 years of rainfall records.
As such, it 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 Tūtira.
Shortly prior to losing its identity, the remnants of Bola also dropped 100–200 mm (4–8 in) of precipitation on the South Island of New Zealand.

Storm damage was heaviest in Gisborne, where rain destroyed or damaged several roads and bridges.
Three days of continuous rainfall led to mudslides, flooding, and erosion.
Flooding killed three people when a car was swept away.
In Te Karaka in Gisborne, a flooded river forced 500 residents to evacuate.
A total of 1,765 farmers were affected by the flooding, accounting for about 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres) of damaged crop fields and about $90 million in crop damage (1988 NZD, $82 million 1988 USD).
Water supplies were disrupted in two cities due to flooding.
Rainfall in Northland Region caused flooding and outages to telephone and power.
Additionally, beginning on about 6 March, the cyclone began affecting the North Island with strong easterly winds of over hurricane force, caused by the interaction between the extratropical remnants of Bola and a ridge of high pressure to its south.
The winds damaged a few homes, including some in which the roofs were damaged or destroyed.
In addition, the strong winds downed several trees, and at the same time, erosion and landslides left hillsides bare without grass or trees.
Cyclone Bola created some of the largest rainfall totals for a single storm in the history of New Zealand, with some locations receiving more than half of their annual rainfall totals from the storm. While the cyclone passed north of the island, a strong easterly flow over the North Island contained the interaction between moist air from Bola and drier air from the ridge to its southeast. In the Gisborne region, the flow resulted in the heaviest rainfall totals, when the moisture ascended over the region's western mountainous areas and condensed into precipitation. One station recorded 419 mm (16.5 in) in a 24‑hour period. The maximum rainfall total attributed to the storm was 917 mm (36.1 in), reported at a station near Tolaga Bay. Heavy rainfall totals of up to and over 300 mm (12 in) were observed in the regions of Auckland and Northland. The cyclone is the largest to be recorded in 93 years of rainfall records. As such, it 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 Tūtira. Shortly prior to losing its identity, the remnants of Bola also dropped 100–200 mm (4–8 in) of precipitation on the South Island of New Zealand.
Storm damage was heaviest in Gisborne, where rain destroyed or damaged several roads and bridges. Three days of continuous rainfall led to mudslides, flooding, and erosion. Flooding killed three people when a car was swept away. In Te Karaka in Gisborne, a flooded river forced 500 residents to evacuate. A total of 1,765 farmers were affected by the flooding, accounting for about 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres) of damaged crop fields and about $90 million in crop damage (1988 NZD, $82 million 1988 USD). Water supplies were disrupted in two cities due to flooding. Rainfall in Northland Region caused flooding and outages to telephone and power. Additionally, beginning on about 6 March, the cyclone began affecting the North Island with strong easterly winds of over hurricane force, caused by the interaction between the extratropical remnants of Bola and a ridge of high pressure to its south. The winds damaged a few homes, including some in which the roofs were damaged or destroyed. In addition, the strong winds downed several trees, and at the same time, erosion and landslides left hillsides bare without grass or trees.
Cyclone Bola