CITY DELUGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27254, 3 December 1949, Page 6

CITY DELUGED

INTENSE THUNDERSTORM

BRILLIANT DISPLAYS OF LIGHTNING A storm of an intensity rarely equalled in Dunedin broke over the city and suburbs about 2.15 p.m. yesterday, and f6r nearly a quarter of an hour the streets were deluged with rain and hail to the accompaniment of thunder and vivid lightning. For periods there were practically continuous peals of thunder which appeared to be immediately overhead. Except for the brilliant flashes of lightning, the city became almost enveloped in semi-darkness. Lights had to be turned on in shops and some motorists ■' took the precaution of switching on their headlamps. " 'The main shopping areas were fairly well crowded at the time and hundreds sought the shelter of shops and verandas, and gazed with awe upon Nature’s wild outburst. The storm came on" suddenly and those who did not reach places of shelter in time soon received a thorough drenching. Even those under many shop verandas, particularly in George street, frequently found themselves in a sorry predicament as the pounding rain and hail found many weak spots. When this happened, the water came cascading down relentlessly upon those underneath. Nothing more dazzling in the way of a display of celestial fireworks has been seen for years in Dunedin. The sky was lit up at times with two or three flashes a minute. A message boy on a bicycle in Moray place had an unpleasant experience. He had just struggled up Burlington street when he was seen to fall off his machine, and with his hands to his eyes he managed to regain his feet. A passer-by went to his assistance and he told the Daily Times that the boy appeared to be dazed for a time. The boy explained that after one particuarly brilliant flash he “ suddenly went blind.” He was taken to a doctor, but no attention was necessary as he soon made a complete recovery.

Although many areas were flooded during the height of the storm, the city’s stormwater drainage again stood up well'to the test, and shortly after the rain had stopped most of the surplus water .was gone. One particularly bad area in South Dunedin, near Cargill’s Corner, was badly affected, however, and a gang of City Council workmen had to be called on to deal with the flooded street. It is estimated that nearly half an inch of rain fell in the city between 2.15 and 2.30.