TUESDAY'S STORM

Grey River Argus, 16 February 1933, Page 6

TUESDAY'S STORM

WELLINGTON DAMAGE Lightning Plays Havoc (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON. February 15. The storm that moved on to New Zealand yesterday seemed to pick on Wellington as the chief target, supply ing the city in turn with wind of gale force, very heavy rain, and a thunder, storm of exceptional severity. Lightning played havoc with the electric communications and scriouslv inter rupted the service between the two islands. During yesterday afternoon, the skies rapidly became overcast, and there, were occasional flurries of ruin. A stormy northerly was blowing This increased to gale force. Heavy showers commenc l d to fall in the city at 7.20, and continued at intervals throughout the night. The thunderstorm did not really break until about 5 o’clock this morning, and continued for two hours. Between 5.45 and 6-25, the lightning was • very vivid, with thunder peals louu anj prolonged. Heavy rain fell, 36 points being recorded at Kelburn observatory in 15 minutes. The total was 77 points. The storm was less severe at Lower Hutt, where only 29 points was record Two gusts, exceeding 60 miles, wera recorded at Kelburn. one at 9.6 last night, and the other at 3.42 this morning. Considerable damage was done to the gardens owing to wind and rain. The most serious interference was with the cables running to the South Island Fuses were blown out at the shore ends, temporarily interrupting the service. Linesmen, however were out early repairing the damage. The West Coast and Masterton lines were also interrupted, and over the northern part of the South Island, particularly along the East Coast, there was interrupt ion. MASTERTON, February 15. A severe thunderstorm, which broke over this district early this morning, di.l considerable damage. In the To Whiti district, near Masterton, a number of electric power and telephone fuses were blown out, and in one case a telephone was almost wrenched from the wall. Mr and Mrs 11. Cotter had a fortunate escape. They were standing scarcely three yards away front two 400 gallon tanks when lightning struck on e with a deafening report bursting two large holes in either side, from which the. water poured out. CANTERBURY DAMAGECHRISTCHURCH, February 15. A severe electrical storm was experienced in North Canterbury last evening. causing interruptions to phone communication in several localities. Some stock was killeo. Heavy rain accompanying the storm has delayed ha rvesti ng. The Waiau and Hurunui rivers are in heavy flood. Fuses were blown at telegraph offices. No serious damage is reported. WEST COAST EFFECTS Tuesday’s stormy weather had less serjous effects than anticipated. Both power and telegraph lines stood the test well, only slight interruptions being caused. The road between Kumar {l and .Otira was blocked by slips, about 2| miles on the Greymouth side of Jackson’s, but the Public Works Department advised that cars were able to get through yesterday afternoon. The Otira Gorge Road was affected by slips, and is closed for traffic, but it should again be clear to-day. There is no damage-reported in the Grey County, whilst the Coastal Road was unaffected. Owing to a slip at the intake of the flume conveying water to the power house at Otira. the water was cut off and traffic through the Otira Tunnel was at a standstill at about 830 o’clock on Tuesday night The block age was cleared away yesterday morning and the running of trains was resumed at about 9.30 o’clock. The Christchurch goods train which was held un at Inchbonnie owing to the shoaling of a creek. proceeded to Christchurch yesterday morning at 8 o’clock. The goods trains from Christchurch on Tuesday evening did not arrive yesterday maiming until 9.45 o’clock, approximately six hour s late. There was enough supply at the Otira powc • house to enable this train to be brought through at six o’clock yesterday morning. The storm affected the automatic signalling system on the Otira line, and if was not functioning all Friday night, but repairs were effected yesterday. A normal state was reached on the Otira line. Other West Coast lines were not affected. Arthur’s Pass had a heavy rainfall for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday, 5.75 inches being recorded. Locallv conditions were yesterday normal once more, although the Grey River was running fairly high.