TERRIBLE STORMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21993, 27 December 1934, Page 9

TERRIBLE STORMS

AUSTRALIAN STATES WORST HAIL ON RECORD 1 TWO DEATHS IN BRISBANE WIDESPREAD DEVASTATION . A violent hailstorm and a succession of electrical storms, during which several people were struck by lightning, made December 19 one of the most unusual days for many years. Hailstones of a size decribed as unknown in the metropolitan area caused havoc throughout the northern suburbs. The hail crashed through roofs with bullet-like force. It smashed windows, killed poultry and devastated orchards and gardens. The hailstorm was described by the Weather Bureau as being of unprecedented severity, and it was officially stated that many of the stones were as large as tennis balls. The hailstones smashed through roofs, splintered thick tiles, ripped car hoods to ribbons, tore branches from trees, ruined gardens, stunned animals, and caused great damage to property. In the late afternoon ominous black clouds cast a deep gloom over the suburbs. Forked lightning flickered across the sky, and the atmosphere became menacing. Then, heralded by spattering rain, a roar could be heard drawing nearer. The storm apparently commenced on the outskirts of the farthest northern districts, and, as it closed in on the nearer districts, the roar increased. Most of the residents thought that it presaged a tornado, and sought shelter. If anyone had remained in the open, it was stated, the hailstones would have caused serious injury.

Orchards Devastated The hail fell with extreme force " Gardens were devastated, and the damage to orchards was costly. Laden trees were stripped, and in many cases large apples and poaches were smashed to pulp. Thousands of pounds' worth of damage was done to fruit trees in the Carlingford, Ryde, and Eastwood districts. The Mayor of Eastwood, Mr. Ball, estimated that he lost £3OO worth of peaches. Mr. M. McGrath, of Herring Road, Eastwood, had 3000 cases of peaches cut to pieces. Other large growers suffered disheartening losses. A boy named Gallard suffered a painful wound to the face wfien he was struck by a large hailstone at Eastwood. In the Castle Hill district citrus orchards were badly affected by the huge stones. Pennant Hills, Chatswood, Willoughby, Roseville, Killara, St. Leonards, Artarmon, Gore Hill, and the surrounding areas were swept by the storm. Observers stated that the hail was so large that their fingers could not encircle it. particularly taxis, had their hoods and bodywork ruined. People who engaged taxis to get to their homes found that they were little use, for the vehicles were brought to a standstill and great hailstones tore through the roofing. Eighty holes were counted in the hood of one taxicab, and windscreens of others were broken. Damage to Dwellings The majority of the houses in the affected area had windows broken, some having every window on the exposed sides of the buildings splintered. Roofing gave way in many residences, and waiter poured in through broken tiles. At an Epping garage the force of the stones was so bullet-like that they tore through the roof and then through the hoods of cars parked inside. When the stones struck the roads or open ground they rebounded feet into the arr.

When the storm had passed . the affected districts presented a remarkable sight. Hail banked in places feet deep covered the ground for miles with a mantle of snowy whiteness. To an observer travelling by train along the North Shore line the countryside, it appeared, had experienced a snoycstorm; Many people gathered specimens of the hail* and measured them; some of the stones were nearly three inches in diameter.

Branches and leaves littered the ground, and birds and fowls were found lying.battered and dead. Cows, horses and dogs were seen to be bruised and dazed. Some of the livestock were seriously wounded. Woman Loses a Fpot On the previous day there also was a severe storm in portions of Victoria. Considerable damage was done in country districts, particularly in the north-west, where a fierce windstorm passed across the State. Manv buildings were unroofed, fences and walls were blown down, and trees were uprooted. In the Mallee districts the storm was accompanied by heavy clouds of dust, and a* Werrimull, where the dust was particularly heavy, most of the inhabitants were compelled "to wear goggles. A heavy thunderstorm occurred at Warrnambool, and • nearly half an inch of rain fell in 20 minutes. Low -lying parts of tli© town wer© flooded.

The motor-van which was carrying members of the Broadway Pantomime Company skidded on the wet road, near Tllowa, and struck an electric light pole. Mrs. Broadway was trapped in the front of the van and one of her feet was crushed. It was amputated after she was taken to hospital. Other members of the company were cut by broken glass, and the pole caught fire when the wire was broken off the insulators. Ihe storm had its most serious effects at Ouven, where it is estimated some thousands of pounds of damage was done. The wind blew with hurricane force after midnight, and the Roman Catholic Church was shifted on its foundations by the force of the gale. A produce store was almost completely wrecked, and three houses were unroofed. Many other buildings suffered extensive damage. Great damage was also done to ripe wheat crops. Loss of Two Lives A chimney, 100 ft. high, collapsed at the Town Hall at St. Arnaud, and crashed through the roof. Standing crops vere levelled to the ground, and large trees were uprooted. The roads to Korong Vale, St. Arnaud, and other towns are blocked by huge trees. In Wedderburn about 20 houses were unroofed and portions were blown away. Sheets of iron were picked up more than two miles away. The rear wall of a new hall was blown inwards, bricks falling across the stage and smashing the piano, seats and scenery. There was a similar storm in Brisbane and the vicinitv last Thursday. One man. was electrocuted, an elderly woman died from heart failure, and damage estimated at thousands of pounds was done to property. , It was described as the worst storm Brisbane has experienced for "many years. The wind blew with the force of a tornado, reaching at times a velocity of 78 miles an hour—a record for Brisbane —and rain fell at the rate of nearly sin. an hour. Large hailstones pounded the city.