CYCLONIC STORM s IN AUCKLAND

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28020, 14 July 1956, Page 2

CYCLONIC STORM s IN AUCKLAND

TORRENTIAL RAIN AND GALE

FLOODS IN NORTHLAND (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 13. A cyclonic storm which caused heavv flooding in New South Wales this week moved across the Auckland province today with none of its force abated. It caused chaos as it battered its way eastward. Floods were rising tonight m Northland; there were blizzards at National Park; the barometer dropped very low in Auckland; and widespread gale winds were reported. The storm travelled across the Tasman in less than 48 hours. It struck Northland this morning, bringing heavy >nd continuous ram. Three inches of rain was recorded iri Whangarei. By 6 p.m. a secondary cyclone was right over Auckland, while the main storm was centred just west ,of East Cape. ‘ Both centres were described as very deep and active.’’ Djaring the storm, gusts of up to 55 miles an hour were recorded. In Auckland, the barometer fell to 28.98ih. “I’ve never seen it fall so fast before.’’ said the forecaster. , Off North Cape, the Wanganella was battling in the centre of the mam cyclone. She recorded a barometric reading of

Church Damaged The gale at Helensville pushed the Anglican Church forward several feet. One wall collapsed against a nearby house. A tree fell in the main street .at Helensville during the height of the storm, bringing down power lines. By mid-afternoon, the picture drawn from weather throughout the Auckland province was one of moderate. continuous rain north of a line from Raglan to Tauranga Cape Brett. Kaikohe, and Whangarei reported heavy, continuous rain. By 3 p.m. water was running through a number of iow-lying shops in Whangarei Schoo] children were sent home early as water in the Hikurangi Swamp area began to rise.

A number of Northland roads were closed tonight. Further south, snow was falling. There was five inches of snow on the golf course at the Chateau Fongariro. Roads to the Chateau and through National Park were impassable. For the flood-bound farmers m the lower Waikato, the storm merely added to their miseries.' The river was still dropping steadily, and tonight was a foot below the peak flood level

An inch and a quarter of rain over luckland caused a number of lowving spots to be flooded.