CYCLONIC STORM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 14, 27 October 1932, Page 2

CYCLONIC STORM

SEVERAL BUILDINGS UNROOFED DAMAGE IN NORTH AUCKLAND. /Special to the “Guardian.”) AUCKLAND, October 26. A number of settlers in tlie area between Warkworth and Maliurangi Heads had a terrifying experience yesterday morning, when a cyclonic gale swept down from the north unroofing buildings, uprooting huge trees and leaving a trail of. destruction m its path. Buildings on several properties were damaged, and one large store-shed on tno farm of Air C. 8. Jolly, was flattened to the ground, while the residence had the verandah torn olf. Limbs of trees, water tanks, and timber and iron from damaged buildings were carried more than half-a-miie by the gale, and Air Jolly, who ran out of the store-shed just bqfore it collapsed, was hurled over a fence and landed 30 yards away.

The gale struck the district about 9.30 a.m. yesterday, and although of comparatively short duration, left its mark on the countryside. The gale was first observed as it swept over the ridge above Snell’s Beacli, about four miles east of Warkworth. As it tore along it left a clearly defined track, and finally went out to sea. The first building to suffer v/as a large cowshed,'on the property cf Air Percy Dawson. The roof was lifted off bodily and carried through the air for a distance of about 700 yards, before it was dashed to pieces among the mangroves in the Alaliurangi River. The farm of Air F. Goodall was next in the path of the gale, and although buildings escaped/several Iron tanks were blown away and were later located over a mile and a half away. Several large pinus insignis trees, about' 4ft-.' in diameter, were cut off about 18ft. from the ground, and the tops carried away on the wind. Willows and kowliai trees also suffered, and a pohutukawa tree, known to he over 50 years old, was levelled. A t this stage the track of the gale was over 300 yards wide, and although trees and crops were uprooted and flattened, growth on either side was left untouched. Similar damage to trees was done on the old Dawson homestead property, and the limb of a pine tree, estimated to weigh half a ton. was carried to a point 100 yards away.

The gale then swept across a short arm of tidal water, cutting a channel through the mangroves. Air Jolly’s farm, on the far side of this inlet, received most damage. A boatshed had the roof lifted, and the sides damaged, and a big store-shed, measuring about 40ft. by 301 t. was completely demolished. The nouse was also struck, and the verandah torn off. Flying timber and iron • broke all the .windows in the house. Air Jolly v/as in the shed when he heard the roar of the gale and, running to the door, saw that the air was full of flying boughs and timber. He was caught by the wind and flung over the fence, but suffered no serious injury. The gale next swept across the property of ATessrs A. L. and W. F. AlcElroy, and as it left the shore trees and shrubs were torn from the top of the cliff. A launch, belonging to Air C. S. Jolly, which was lying at the wharf, was also damaged, hut as it was aground it was not blown away. Altogether, Air Jolly’s losses are estimated R> be not less than £3OO. Fortunately no injury was suffered by any of the settlers or their families.