TORRENTIAL RAINFALL

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 April 1935, Page 4

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL

Hawera and District Swept by Spectacular Storm WEIRD LIGHTNING EFFECT STREET CHANNELS FLOOD

Torrential rain, accompanied by a spectacular display of lightning between 5 and 6 o'clock last night, marked one of the most severe storms experienced in Hawera and district for some time.

The storm appeared to be centred at the back of Ararata and at one stage it was feared that. the damage of the flood of February 22 would be repeated. Telephone communication with "residents in the locality this morning revealed, however, that, although the storm was severe, no damage had resulted to roads or property. Rivers rose throughout the district, but as their beds had been scoured by previous floods, it was not expected that damage to bridges would result. The rainfall at Hawera for the 24 hours ended. 9 o’clock this morning was 0.83 inches. _At Dawson Falls the phenomenal total of eight inches was registered over the 24 hours. Although the Kapuni stream near the hostel was swollen by the rain on the higher reaches, no , damage resulted to the hostel services. There was no interference with the work of reerecting the power-house on the new site. At the South Taranaki Electric Power Board’s dam on the Waingongoro River at Normanby the height of the water at 7.30 last night was 18 inches above the top of the weir. The effect at Hawera was confined to flooded stormwater channels. In High Street the channels were insufficient to carry away the water and business people returning to their homes and late shoppers were treated to an unusual sight, the flood in places covering the footpath. Similar conditions existed on other bitumined streets in Hawera. Motorists had to proceed through water which stretched well across the road, and cascades were sent to each side. Sandbags were packed round one hotel cellar which had suffered from previous floods. Rain earlier in the aftefinoon iinterrered with games in the Easter bowling tourney at the Park green, and play was finalised under difficulty.

WEIRD SPECTACLE. The rain abated after six o’clock but lightning continued, sheet and forked flashes providing a spectacular sight. Odd cloud formations further enhanced the Aveirdness of the spectacle. The electrical disturbance interfered with radio reception, and in more than one home, sets were not-in commission as danger was feared from the brilliant flashes.

The South Taranaki Power Board reports no stoppages as the result of the lightning. The Taranaki Power Board’s district, however, \vas plunged into darkness Avhen lightning struck the lines at about 7 o'clock. Power was restored to Waitara and Inglewood county shortly afterwards on the board’s system, and Avithin. 45 minutes the Government power was brought in on' the rest of the system. The fau|t lies the \power house and the Stratford sub-station. The rain was blinding in its intensity at New Plymouth, and. was accompanied by brilliant lightning and heavy thunder. Culverts and channels in Devon Street, 'Gill Street and St. Aubyn Street and the intersecting thoroughfares of Currie Street, Brougham Street and Egmont Street were unable to cope with the rush. The Avater, its surface boiling under the force of the descending rain, spread over the width of the streets, overlapping the footpaths and hiding tram rails and bitumen completely. Water rose high enough in the central area to enter the Royal Hotel, the flood Avashing over the carpet in the foyer. The early part of the storm Avas accompanied by a thrilling electrical disturbance, frequent peals of thunder rattling Avindow panes. As it passed inland the thunder diminished, but the lightning continued in the form of frequent bickerings. The Waiwakaiho River rose eight to lfi feet last night but no erosion took place at the hydro station, Avhere protection Avorks haA r e proved successfiii. Transformer fuses Avere blown m various parts of New Plymouth of surging on the lines, the mam inteiruption being at Upper Westown, Avhere a transformer lead had to be repaired.

GISBORNE ROAD BLOCKED SLIPS AND FLOODED STREAMS (By TelegAapb—rresa Asso-latlon.A GISBORNE, To-day. Traffic on the North Road Avas blocked to-day by flooded streams and slips in the Waioeka Gorge and on the Motu hill route.

TRrtYMOUTH RACES POSTPONED GREYMOUTH, To-day. Owing to rain, the Greymouth races haA r e been postponed till Friday.