TERRIFIC THUNDER

Evening Star, Issue 22271, 24 February 1936, Page 12

TERRIFIC THUNDER

UNPREPARED CROWDS DRENCHED TAIERI ESCAPES STORM Jagged lightning rent the darkened heavens over the sea to the south of the city late yesterday, producing deafening peals of thunder, louder than anything heard locally for many years. Such visitations are indeed for Dunedin, yet curiously enough this was the second within 12 days. Except for the terrific claps of thunder, which seemed to shake the very earth, yesterday’s storm was in no way comparable with the spectacular night bombardment of a fortnight ago. Humid heat and a premature loss of the sun presaged a storm, but it did not break until around 4.30. It was ominously black at this hour, and within a brief interval of the initial flash of lightning heavy rain was again pelting the city, which had been drying temporarily after last week’s drenching showers. There was a deluge for fully half an hour, during which time the thunder and lightning persisted, after which the rain gradually eased off. Being caught in a storm of this nature without adequate clothing is an experience to the unpleasantness of which the hundreds who were present at St. Clair for the surf championships will ruefully testify. They were soaked like the proverbially “ drowned rat,” and there were many amusing sights as the crowd devised all manner of ways to shelter from the downpour, which began suddenly and continued more and more violently. Who couldrestrain mirth, even with rain trickling down his neck, at seeing dozens of fashionably-attired ladies and immaculately beflannelled men squatting under deck chairs, surf boards, tarpaulins, and a few umbrellas? Shelter was at a premium, and the life savers participating in the- last event, then in progress, were obviously the -most suitably-dressed persons for such a storm, which they appeared to enjoy handsomely. Very little of the thunderstorm was felt around the Taieri. Some time before the peals were heard in the North Taieri hills and over Dunedin, there was a moderately heavy shower of rain, but while the storm was raging elsewhere a hot, heavy atmosphere was in evidence, making even walking a decided effort. It was fine, however, until further light rain developed some time later. Saturday observed a quick recovery from the showery weather of. the preceding days, and further cutting and stocking of wheat was carried out.

Still 14,914,000 gallons short of being full, the three city reservoirs to-day contained 134,086,000 gallons, a gain of 1,040,000 gallons over #the weekend. The rainfall recordings at the various sources of supply were:—Sullivan Dam, .08in on Saturday and .loin yesterday; Whare Flat, ,12in yesterday; Ross Creek, .15in yesterday. The official recording of yesterday’s rain taken at the Botanic Gardens, was .25in.