SEVERE HAILSTORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21875, 10 August 1934, Page 12

SEVERE HAILSTORM

FALL AT MATAKANA

WHITE MANTLE ON HILLS HEAVY RAIN IN DISTRICT One of the most severe hailstorms experienced for many years occurred in the Matakana district yesterday afternoon. The storm, which was marlied by thunder and lightning, was local, although heavy rain fell in contiguous districts. Lowering clouds in the morning heralded the hail, which fell intermittently from two o'clock in the afternoon until five o'clock. Ai> dusk the Matakana-Whangaripo Hills were clothed in a white mantle, resembling a heavy fall of snow. "I cannot remember such a severe hailstorm in the district," an old resident said last night. Large hailstones, whipped by a north-east wind, marked the beginning of the storm, and roads, paddocks, gardens and roof-tops were clothed in a garment of white, the hail in some places being 2in. deep. Heavy rain followed, with thunder and lightning, interrupted by further falls of hail. Although drains and culverts wero blocked, no serious obstruction occurred on the roads, owing to the rain, which partially swept away the hail. However, a lorry was delayed for a few minutes in a drift where a culvert had overflowed. A motorist proceeding along the Matakana-Warkworth road encountered a patch of hail about two miles from Matakana. The hail was up to the level of the car's differential, the motorist having to proceed in low gear. Oil both sides of the road the hailstones had congealed until they formed huge lumps of ice, over a foot high. No serious damage has been reported. Spoutings in many Matakana houses were blocked, and overflowed when the rain came, causing leakages in roofs. About 20 telephone lines are out of commission.

No hail fell at Warkworth, although lieavy rain was experienced there. Steady rain commenced at noon, a total of ljin. falling within three hours. The creeks rose rapidly and low-lying paddocks were soon covered with water. There were several minor slips.