GREAT DEVASTATION BY GALE AND FLOOD.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 February 1936, Page 7

GREAT DEVASTATION BY GALE AND FLOOD.

EVERY CORNER OF PROVINCE SUFFERS.

AUCKLAND, Last Night,

Widespread damage was caused by the cyclonic storm which swept the Auckland province on Saturday night and yesterday. Telephone, telegraph, and power services were interrupted, roads and railways were blocked by slips and in some areas heavy floods caused great damage. The heavy rain on Saturday was followed by tempestuous conditions during which the wind veered from east to blow a full gale from the west. At the height of the storm yesterday the barometer fell to the exceptionally low reading of 28.88.

On the Auckland waterfront about 40' small craft were either badly damaged or piled up into wreckage, while there was also heavy damage on the Manukau where the full effect ; of the gale was felt when the wind changed.

In suburban Auckland clieio rrere many instances of roofs being stripped, trees blown down and devastation of orchards.

The storm caused the general isolation of many country districts, but today communication was partially restored and there began to filter through stories of great devastation and general loss.

Every corner in the province suffered. Kaitaia, Whangarei, Pocroa and Thames have suffered heavily as the result of floods. All communications with north Auckland were interrupted yesterday and roads and railway arc not expected to be clear for some days. On the Hauraki plains and north Auckland dairy stock and sheep were drowned.

There is hardly a street in the city and suburbs that docs not bear evidence of the storm.