HEAVY RAIN IN NORTH

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28223, 11 March 1957, Page 8

HEAVY RAIN IN NORTH

8.79 in Recorded In Whangarei (New Zealand Press Association) WHANGAREI, March. 10. Heavy rain fell in Northland during the week-end —8.79 inches fell in Whangarei—and flooding occurred in many districts. There was some damage but little of it was serious. The Whangarei Dairy Company’s yard was covered by more than three feet of water and other business premises in the lower end of Whangarei borough suffered. Flood warnings were broadcast by the police but the rain eased at 10 o’clock last night—three and a half hours before high tide. Severe electrical storms accompanied the downpour. At one stage, Whangarei was almost isolated by flooding but the roads were all open again today. Hikurangi’s main street was flooded yesterday when a stream through the centre _of the town overflowed its banks. Two fishing launches broke away from their moorings in the Whangarei town basin but were later retrieved by the police. A small pleasure craft owned by Mr B. Harris was badly damaged. Parks in Whangarei were covered with silt after the flood waters receded. Lightning Strikes House (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 10. Auckland caught the fringe of the storm which lashed Northland at the week-end. Steady rain yesterday morning disrupted most sports and capsizes were frequent during yacht races on the harbour. At Hamilton, 2.35 in of rain fell between 9 a.m. yesterday and 9 a.m. today. Residents of Norton road extension, in Frankton Junction, were awakened alter 4 a.m. today when lightning blew meter boards off the walls. At the home of Mr and Mrs A. Laloli, a lightning bolt struck the house and set fire to the ceiling. A number of transformers in the Central Waikato Electric Power Board’s area were blown out during the storm.