Electrical Storms

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 54, 6 March 1935, Page 12

Electrical Storms

VIVID LIGHTING FLASHES MAN KILLED BY STROKE MANY NARROW ESCAPES In tlio coursa of a flerco electrical storm which, raged over the North Coast districts of New South Wales last week, a man was struck by lightning near Kcmpsey and killed. At Maclean, several people wero thrown to the ground unconscious, a man had his gliirt ripped from his back by a lightning flash, and two horses were injured. Fupcs wero blown, and the switchboard at the Lismorc telephone cxchanco was set on fire. The lightning was remarkably violent, and was accompanied by awe-inspiring thunderclaps. Alarm was caused among residents by the terrific nature of the storm, and stock galloped about in terror. 'The man killed by lightning was Thomas Gunn, 53, who was struck at Sherwood. He went to remove a sick horse to shelter during the height of the storm. He had gone only a few yards ho was struck. After a torrid day, a downpour of rain at Grafton yielded 125 points in half an hour, and late at night a storm brought the registration to more than three inches. The rain was accompanied by a strong wind and a heavy thun-der-storm. Horses’ Ears Singed At Maclean, lightning struck a tree in the Courthouse yard. Two horses had the hair round their ears singed by the flash of lightning, and Mr. S. L. North, who was standing closo to the horses, received a shock, and found that the lightning had torn half the shirt from his body. The earth near by was torn up by the shock. Three people in a garage 20 yards away wero dazed, and two others in tho street were knocked over. A terrific clap of thunder and a flash caused panic in the Maclean Baths, wliero swimmers crowded the water owing to tho great heat. At Lismoro the storm was very intense, and the switchboard at the Clunes piost offico telephone exchange was damaged. Fuses were scattered about, tho room and tho board burst into flames, but tho fire was extinguished beforo much damage was done. Lightning struck trees, which .fell across tho telephone lines, and it is impossible to obtain telephone communication with a number of district towns. Storms In Other Districts Serious local floodings occurred following the storm in the Casino district.. In "fees than two hours nearly two and a-lialf inches was registered. In a number of residential areas, miniature lakes extended from the centre of the streets and covered tho footways, temporarily cutting off access to homes. The cellars of two hotels wero flooded, and tho lire brigade engine was used to pump out the water. The storm was accompanied by vivid lightning and a high wind, which dislocated the electric-light servico in various parts of tho' town. The rain was driven with such force that it 1 -<•«! into a number of business premises, causing considerable tu siOCUS. At KyOgle tho wind bi'cw with gale force, and damage was done (o the roofs of sheds, growing maize crops, and gardens.