SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8647, 4 February 1914, Page 7

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

LIGHTNING HITS HOUSES WASHOUTS DELAY RAILWAY TRAFFIC. Press Association. TIMARU, February 3. Extraordinary local rainfalls were reported in the Waihao and Geraldine districts yesterday, as well as at Fairlie. A thunderstorm crossed the country from "Waitaki to Mount Four* Peaks, pouring down huge volumes of water. At Four Peaks chimneys were cracked by lightning and a number damaged by storm water. The river at Waihao Forks rose eight feet in an hour, and at Willowbridgo, where the channel is wide, the water rose six feet.

Another great rainfall occurred today on tho lino a few miles nearer the coast, a great mass of storm water crossing Fairlio between Winscombe and Albmy. A washout at a narrow gully just north of tho Waihao bridge blocked railway traffic to-day. The first expresses north and south met thei-e and exchanged passengers and mails, the transfer taking three hours. The south train reached Timaru at 5.10 instead of 1.30 p.m. Repairs are expected to be completed before morning. DUNEDIN, February 3. Owing to delay caused north of Oatnaru by a washout on the railway line the first express from Christchurch did not reach here till 7.20 p.m., leaving for Invercargill fifteen minute; later. The second express from Christchurch is expected to he about two hours late. A train on ’die Outran; line was delayed this morning by water on the line, but the afternoon train got through safely. Rain is reported in most districts in Otago.