GREAT STORM

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 November 1924, Page 5

GREAT STORM

DEATHS EXPOSURE. PITIFUL PLIGHT OF POOR. LIQUOR VESSELS CRIPPLED. BT CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT NEW YORK, Nov. 18. * A sudden cold wave throughout the country, with 70-mile an hour gales, followed the rainless spell, causing eight deaths from exposure, six of Which occurred in New York, where the mercury, within twelve hours, was down to seventeen, degrees above zero, representing a total drop of thirty degrees. Other coastal points registered declines exceeding forty degrees. Gales everywhere aggravated the difficulties of transportation, notably On the Great Lakes, where traffic was virtually at a standstill, while the forest fire hazards increased, because of the difficulty in controlling the flames. .The weather bureau declares that yesterday was the coldest November 17 ever recorded.

Ferries throughout the country have 'halted, since,the small craft are unable to maintain their 'direction in the treacherous .wind. Federal coastguards at New York rescued eleven men, whose small craft was whipped seaward;

Meanwhile Rum .Row, which has , beexi supplying holiday demands, is reported' to have been swept to bits. Many of r. the liquor vessels were crippled, #ut there is hope that they may be able to outlast the gale, after which they will seek an unguarded harbour to effect repairs. & The repent lack of rain brought deceptively warm weather, but there was an unexpected drop in the mercury, and within two hours came a change from autumn to winter. The Central, New York, and rural section's of the country saw snow flurries swiftly followed by sleety rain. Northern winds Swept the countryside, Overturning farmhouses and uprooting trees. /

Many farmers, who were not prepared ‘for the cold, narrowly escaped freezing to death during their/- sleep. The .sudden cold aggravated the seasonal misery among the poor in the cities. The municipal police found asleep on park benches in a semi-conscious condition as a result of the A cold. , These were successfully treated at the hospitals. f Pedestrians were constantly in danger; in the streets through the wind ripping out; numerous display windows and small signs, and upsetting massive hoardings. *