Hurricane Hits Niue: Widespread Damage

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29107, 20 January 1960, Page 16

Hurricane Hits Niue: Widespread Damage

(Aew Zeaiana Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 19. A hurricane battered Niue Island early yesterday morning, according to reports received in Wellington late today. The hurricane caused widespread damage, destroying buildings and crops and disrupting communications and power supplies. No casualties have been reported, but checks are still being made in outer villages. This is the second time Niue has been hit in less than 12 months. A hurricane caused widespread damage in February last year.

The first report of the hurricane reached the Island Territories Department from the Resident Commissioner, Mr D. W. R. Heatley. He reported that the hurricane reached its peak at 1 a.m. on Monday and the island was in the “eye” of the hurricane between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

“At the height of the blow the wind recorder stuck at a maximum reading of 90 knots and the barograph went off the chart below 950 millibars for about an hour and then rose steeply.” Mr Heatley said.

“The wind was from the northeast and after passing the eye, swung through the east to the south.

“Damage at Aloft, the chief settlement, included all telephones and power disrupted. Power at the southern end of Aloft is now being restored, but considerable work wil be needed before Alofi is fully connected.” Work on reconstructing the telephone system after last year’s disastrous hurricane has just been completed. Mr Heatley said houses destroyed included at least some rebuilt after the last hurricane.

The hall at Aloft was partly unroofed. Seas carried away the sides of the copra shed, demolished the fisheries shed, uncradled lighters in the shed and reached the bottom level of the cargo sheds. The banana shed was unroofed.

Mr Heatley said that all radio aerials were down and the wind indicator was bent vertical. “All houses and Government buildings were damaged by water and there was minor structural damage, except at the treasury building which was unroofed again. “The partly-unroofed education, office was again unroofed and the woodwork building was demolished. The temporary ward at the isolation block and the mental block of the hospital were destroyed by seas. “The northern end of the main ward was blown in with roof damage to most other buildings.’ Some buildings at the Amanau public works depot were damaged and the Government experi-

mental gardens were destroyed. The hurricane destroyed the cowshed and duck and fowl runs.

“Coconuts, bananas, and pawpaw again received a 12 months’ set-back. I am having an assessment made of the taro position and will advise,” Mr Heatley’s cable said. The Minister of Island Territories (Mr Mathison) has sent Mr Heatley a message extending his sympathy to the hurricane sufferers. Mr Mathison said Government relief action would await more complete damage reports.