FIERCE STORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 266, 9 November 1936, Page 3

FIERCE STORM.

PROVINCE SWEPT.

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL

FLOODS AND MINOR DAMAGE,

Towns in the Waikato, the southern portion of Auckland Province, the Rotonia district, Taranaki and elseTvheie, were swept yesterday afternoon and evening by a storm which brought torrential rainfall, heavy hail, and lightning and thunder. Auckland city and suburbs cscaped the storm except" for a few light showers, but elsewhere the storm was comparable in intensity with that which was experienced last February. Along its path there was severe flooding and interference with power and telephone services.

The storm broke over Hamilton with exceptional violence about I p.m. and for almost an hour the black, cloudladen sky was rent with vicious whips of lightning, accompanied with the continual roll and crack of thunder. Then came the rain first in lime drops, and then in a heavy fall which quickly turned the streets into running rivers with lakes wherever there was a depression. The mains were, unable to cope with the heavy flood and some damage was done in shops through the entry of water. Slips occurred along the embankment in Grey Street and caused a minor interruption of traffic, while in other parts the flood was so heavy that water entered the engines of ears and they required other vehicles to remove them from the flooded area. In about, twenty minutes, as suddenly as it had begun, the rainfall ceased. Throughout the afternoon, however, the electric disturbance continued, and there were occasional heavy showers. In its rapid drainage of the city the Waikato River

became swollen and heavy with debris, which was added to when gangs of workmen began clearing the streets with brooms, shovels and hoses.