NORFOLK ISLAND STORM

Evening Star, Issue 22347, 25 May 1936, Page 3

NORFOLK ISLAND STORM

15 INCHES RAIN IN FEW HOURS ROADS OBLITERATED [Per United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, May 24. Wide destruction was caused on Norfolk Island when 4in of rain which fell on Wednesday night was followed by a severe electrical storm with torrential rain on Thursday night, A special message sent from the island to the ‘ New Zealand Herald ’ states that a total of 15Jin of rain fell between 9 o’clock on Thursday night and 7 o’clock on Friday morning. Cable commumcatiou with Auckland, Suva, and Southport, on the Queensland coast, which was interrupted when the cable hut on the island was washed away, was restored with Auckland at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday and with Southport at 2.30 p.m. The work of restoration was carried out under great difficulty. The cables were deeply buried, and those engaged in the work were under constant risk of landslides. The road was washed completely away. Landslides occurred in all parts of the island, and small rivers are now running down the hillsides in several places. The golf links were strewn with household effects and large boulders, and the cemetery was inundated at the eastern end with flood waters. The approach to Cascade Landing is impassable except by horse nr on foot, and the road is practically washed away. It is not yet possible to estimate the damage, but it is certain that the people dwelling in the valleys in particular will be heavy losers.