STORM DAMAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 113, 14 May 1937, Page 8

STORM DAMAGE.

BRIDGE DESTROYED.

YACHT BREAKS MOORINGS

CITY AREAS UNDER WATER.

Considerable damage was caused l>y the storm which raged last niylit and early this morning.

A small bridge at Waitoki, between Dairy Flat ami Kaukapakapa, was ewept away la>t and roads in Xorth and lower North Auckland were flooded to an uncomfortable depth.

Damage in the city was confined to broken windows and Hooding of garden* and parks. A 22ft yacht, Mdita, owned by Mr. Alee. Donald, Jim., of Takapuna, l>roke its moorings off ]>a\vwater during the night and drifted to Queen's wharf, whore it was found, fortunately undamaged, this morning. Flags and other Coronation decorations in Auckland, and particularly in Xewmarket, were damaged by wind and rain. No flooding of chops or of buildings has been reported in the city. It was etated by the engineering department of the City Council this morning that the sewers had been able to cope, with the downpour as the rain, although constant, had not been of sufficient intensity to cause inconvenience. Parking Area Flooded. Early this morning there were cascades flowing down the stej><s of Albert Park, and sheets of water covered many level areas in the city. The municipal parking area behind the Post Office was Hooded fcr about 100 yards, and other places affected were the Titiraugi golf links and the Xew Lynn railway station. All train services are running to normal schedule, and the Post and Telegraph Department reported that there had been no interruption or difficulty in maintaining telephone and telegraphic. communication. The Auckland Electric Power Board reported a number of minor breakages in houee lines, but said no trouble h.-.d been experienced with main lines or with any services. Aα a result of the storm, however, the board was carrying a higher load, which would be further increased this evening when the Coronation decorations in the city would again be illuminated. The Waiteraata Board reported that the wind had no.t been blowing from an adverse direction and its lines had not been affected by falling branches of trees. The board at present was carrying a maximum load. Auckland-Warkworth Blockage. Heavy rain fell last night in North Auckland, and caused inconvenience this morning to motorists, but in the Kaipara district the rain had ceased by midday and conditions were reported by road patrols of the Automobile Association (Auckland) to be improving. Water was encroaching at midday on roads in the middle North, but there was no dislocation of traffic!

In the lower North the No. 1 highway, via Albany, between Auckland and Warkworth. was blocked at midday, but the alternative route, via Rod Vale, was negotiable. The West Coast route to the North, via Helensville, was open at midday, and it was reported that the water on the road between Wharepapa and Woodhill was decreasing. Service car drivers stated that while the demolition of the*"Waitoki bridge closed the main Dairy Flat-Kaukapakapa route, traffic could make a detour via Horseshoe Bush Road.