SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 12

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

SOUTH CANTERBURY VISITATION CROPS AND GOODS* DAMAGED HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL (Per United Press Association) TIMARU, Dec. 21. A severe thunderstorm struck South Canterbury this afternoon, and was followed by one of the worst hail storms experienced for many years, goods being damaged and crops of all descriptions ruined. Heavy rain fell at Timaru, but the hail storm went across country, striking Pleasant Point, Temuka, and Geraldine. In the two last-mentioned places, hail lay on the ground some inches thick. During the height of the storm streets and roofs carried a mantle of white, giving the towns a wintry appearance. Hail blocked spoutings and, when the heavy rain set in later, the water poured into business premises, dislocating business and causing considerable damage to stock In some homes the windows were smashed by hail. The rainfall record for the year at Timaru up to to-night is 39.20 in, which is the highest recorded for over 40 years. PHENOMENAL HAILSTORM GLASSHOUSE SHATTERED (Per United Phesp Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 21. A heavy thunderstorm from the south-east broke over the Oxford district at about 1 p.m. to-day. It was preceded by an exceptionally heavy hailstorm. The hailstones were described by residents as jagged pieces of ice, the largest being about the size of a golf ball. In the Warren district, the storm was accompanied by a whirlwind which caused considerable damage. Two telephone poles were snapped off close to the ground, heavy branches of trees were broken off and hurled high in the air, and some crops were partly ruined by the whirlwind, which seemed to be confined to a width of about 10 chains.

At Carlton, Mr A. E. Cross was a heavy loser. The whole of one side of his glasshouse, containing 120 panes of glass, was destroyed by hail and 15 panes in his house were shattered. Reinforced skylights on some of the outbuildings were also shattered by the hail. His crops were extensively damaged, about twothirds of one paddock of oats being ruined. A second storm broke s bout 6 p.m. with torrential rain and hail. The rainfall recorded at Cralton was 1.18 inches from 1 o'clock, neither storm lasting any longer than half on hour. The ground was white with hailstones on each occasion.