STORM IN NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23565, 27 January 1940, Page 12

STORM IN NORTH

LIGHTNING FLASHES

ELECTRIC SWITCH STRUCK

SPECTACULAR RESULT

[from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Friday Whangarei experienced a severe thunderstorm, accompanied by vivid lightning, early this morning. Lightning struck an electric high tension switch and, accompanied by a loud explosion, sparks and flames shot up into the air, forming a hugh torch.

The switch was situated on a power pole in Kamo Road and was of the high tension oil type. Immediately the instrument was struck the oil burst into flames, which werp accompanied by a denso black smoke. The Fire Brigade suppressed the flames before any great damage had been caused to the pole. The switch itself was destroyed. The power to the northern end of the town was cut off for two and a-half hours until temporary repairs could be efleeted.

The lightning affected the telephone system to some extent, a number of subscribers to the exchange being cut

ofT. | All the main roads were open for J traffic this morning, with the exception of the Whangarei-Dargavil 1 e route, which at Taylor's Flat was covered by from sft. to" Oft. of water.

Although no rain fell in Whangarei this year until January 13, since that day 13in. have been recorded. Over half an inch was recorded yesterday in about an hour. GREYMOUTH DELUGE SLIP STRIKES TRAIN ' ONE CARRIAGE DERAILED DELAY CAUSED TO SERVICE [by telegraph—own correspondent] GREYMOUTH, Friday The heaviest rainfall experienced in Greymouth for almost two years was recorded for the 24 hours ended nine o'clock this morning, the total being 3.56 in., which, coming on top of 1.92 in. in the preceding 24 hours, caused minor flooding in many parts of the district. Damage as a result of the rain and stormy condition last night was, however, of a minor nature only. A hold-up to traffic occurred as a result of a slip on the GreymouthRunanga railway line this morning. The slip came down between the Colxlen railway bridge and the Cobden overbridge just as the 6.35 a.m. train to Rewanui was passing. The debris came down, apparently as the result of the vibration, behind the engine and forced the front bogey of the first carriage off the line.

The 7.28 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. Runanga trains were cancelled, buses being requisitioned to carry the passengers, but the" line was cleared by 9.30 a.m. Several small slips have occurred at this point in the last few months, but none of serious proportions. As a result of the slip the Liverpool mine was idle to-day, as the train which takes the Liverpool miners to work had to be cancelled.

There was an improvement in the weather this evening. GOOD WAIKATO FALL PASTURE GROWTH ASSURED [from ogr own correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday Steady, soaking rain, fell in Hamilton yesterday and last night, the recording for the 24 hours ended nine o'clock this morning being 1.25 in. This makes the total for the month 4.4 in., against the average fall for January of 3.12 in. Adequate rain has now fallen to maintain steady growth on Waikato pastures for many weeks to come. *

DUNEDIN VISITATION SHORT BUT HEAVY FALL ■■ [BT TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Friday A sharp thunderstorm, accompanied by a torrential downpour of rain, passed over Dunedin this afternoon. Shortly after three o'clock there was a brief but very heavy shower of rain. Vivid flashes of lightning, accompanied by • heavy peals of thunder, occurred for about a quarter of an hour and for the next half-hour there was an exceptionally heavy downpour, which turned watertables on hill Btrcets into racing torrents and caused temporary flooding on low-lying roadways where storm drains were unable to cope with the water.

No damage was reported in the city or on roads in the surrounding districts.