CYCLONE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 17 June 1932, Page 5

CYCLONE

WHAKATANE STRUCK TOWN IN DARKNESS MUCH DAMAGE DONE (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, This Day. A cyclone of terrific force struck Whakatane at 7.30 o’clock last night-, doing considerable damage to the central portion of the town. It struck the Bay of Plenty electric power board building, and the roof of iron and timber girders weighing eight tons was luted completely, heavy girders being hurled in all directions, some falling 100 yards away. One part of the roof, weighing a ton, was thrown on the roof of an adjoining boardinghouse. It pierced the iron roof and crashed into an upstaus sitting room, being suspended a few feet from the floor. A boarder in tlio room had a narrow escape. The cyclone travelled in the direction of Poroporo, about three miles away, and carried off the roofs of four houses occupied bv Maoris. Tho roof of one six-roomed bouse was completely torn off and carried fifty yards. Twelve chains of power line were carried away and all Whakatane was plunged in darkness. _ The telephone service was disorganised, the only communication possible being with Opotiki. Communication was restored at 10 o’clock, and a few minutes later all the main power lines were restored. A concrete mixing machine weighing a ton and a half was turned upside down. Cases of minor damage occurred. The damage to the power board building has not been ascertained, but the structural damage will be considerable, while extensive damage lias been done to the stock in the building. The cyclone could be heard approaching from the south along tho coast, but it struck the town with startling suddenness. There were many people in the streets at the time it was raging, but no one was hurt. Late last night the weather became calm.