VIOLENT THUNDERSTORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21298, 27 September 1932, Page 8

VIOLENT THUNDERSTORM

DOWNPOUR IN THE NORTH Vivid lightning displays HEAVY HAIL NEAR WHANGAREI HIGHWAY FLOODING DANGER A violent thunderstorm and' an exceptionally heavy fall of rain were experienced over a wide area in North Auckland from Whangarei to Helensville last evening, vivid flashes of lightning continuing near Wellsford encl Warkworth for several hours. If the heavy rain continues, it is possible that the main north road may be blocked by flooding near Hoteo: The storm was caused by A cyclonic disturbance passing over the North in the afternoon, the centre of the depression being Cape Maria van Diemen, where the barometer fell to 29.53 in. yesterday. It was most severely felt at Ruatangata, about 12 miles north-east of Whangarei, a startling thunderstorm striking the district at 3.45 o'clock. The thunder was accompanied by the heaviest fall of hailstones ever experienced. Lightning had previously been flashing, but the storm suddenly increased in intensity, and amid the roar of thunder the rain poured down in torrents. In not more than half-an-hour 1.15 in. of rain was recorded. Hailstones up to an inch in length fell amid the rain, the stones piling up everywhere, while the force of their fall was sufficient to break hen's eggs lying in the open. While gardens suffered severely, no damage was reported. R&in Resembles Cloudburst There was an electrical storm in Whangarei shortly before one o'clock, accompanied by heavy rain, while about the same time lightning was experienced at Purua. The creeks near Purua were flooded, while a heavy fall of hail accompanied the rain. In the eTening there was a further violent storm in the Whangarei district. For ten minutes after 8.20 there was a vivid display of lightning, while the rain resembled a cloudburst in intensity, the sound of the downpour on roofs drowning the thunder. Watercourses and channels were flooded, but no material damage was caused. Lightning continued to play during the evening, but the rain ceased suddenly and the remainder of the evening was calm.

After light rain which fell steadily all day, the storm broke out at Warkworth about seven o'clock in the evening and by nine o'clock a rain gauge showed over 2in. of rain. Driven by a north-easterly wind, the downpour continued without cessation all the evening, while the accompanying electrical disturbance was of such intensity that telephone lines were slightly affected and radio reception was impossible. Effect on the Roads At Wellsford there were constant flashes of sheet lightning from seven o'clock until after 10.30. The rain fell only in showers at intervals, but the downpours were exceptionally heavy. Further south the rain was lighter, but flashes of lightning illuminated the countryside at intervals from Kaipara Flats almost down io Helensville.

With a continuance of heavy rain it is possible that the main northern highway may be blocked by loods near Hoteo. The lioteo River was reported to be rising last evening, but fortunately the tide on the Kaipara Harbour was low about midnight and the possibility of flood water banking up in the stream was lessened. As the Dome Valley route is not in use, travellers by the East Coast Road are compelled to cross from Warkworth through Hoteo to the west coast road at Tauhoa. It is expected that the west coast route via Kaukapakapa will be passable even after further rain, and with a continuance of wet weather this road should be chosen, as it is not so likely to flood. PASTURES BENEFIT RAINFALL IN THE SOUTH WAIKATO AND TAURANGA In Hamilton light rain fell during Sunday night. The weather cleared yesterday morning, and the day was fine. The rainfall for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday, as recorded by Dr. H. Douglas in Hamilton, was .10in., making .47in. for the week-end. Although the rain was not heavy at any time, it extended over a lengthy period and was warm and penetrating.

Referring to the effect of the rainfall to-day Mr. Dynes Fulton, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Go-operative Dairy Company, Limited, said, although the fall had not been nearly sufficient, the rain would benefit the pastures very materially. Further rain would be welcome at Pukekohe. The gauge at the primary school registered .3in. for the period from 9 a.m. on Friday morning up to 5 p.m. yesterday. The effect on crops and pastures lias been pronounced. Pastures in the Tauranga district benefited considerably from steady rain during the week-end. The total fall for the 48 liours up to 9 a.m. yesterday was .48in. Feed is reported to be plentiful all over the district. GALE AT TE AROHA SOME DAMAGE REPORTED. [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COnnESPONDEN'r] TE AROHA, Monday A north-easterly galo set in yesterday morning and continued to-day. Some damage has been done to orchards and sheds, and fences have suffered. There has been very littl 0 rain, and rivers and creeks are normal. ROUGH SEAS AND RAIN CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND The weather was boisterous yesterday in Auckland, where a fresh north-east wind was blowing and the sea was unusually rough in the harbour. The sky was overcast and threatening, but only light showers were experienced in the early morning. Heavier rain fell in the evening, when the conditions continued threatening. The barometer continued falling after mid-day and the reading last night was 29.70 in.