AFTERMATH OF STORM

Southland Times, Issue 24440, 21 May 1941, Page 6

AFTERMATH OF STORM

SOME ROADS BLOCKED YESTERDAY

DEEP SNOW IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS

The storm which swept Southland during the past three days had practically spent itself yesterday afternoon, and reports from various parts of the province indicated that although the weather was generally cold and the sky overcast, rain had ceased in most districts by the late afternoon. In Invercargill the weather cleared up at midday and the wind died down considerably. Hail still lay about throughout the day in isolated spots, and the temperature was low. The storm broke or blew down a number of wireless masts in Invercargill, including two or three in Leet street. There were three inches of snow in Lumsden yesterday morning, but during the day the boisterous conditions ceased, although it remained very cold. Kingston and Queenstown both suffered quite heavy frosts yesterday and in Kingston the frost was so severe that a water pipe burst in one house. A motorist who travelled from Lumsden to Kingston yesterday morning reported that there was snow on the road all the way. The surrounding hills all appeared to have had a heavy coating. Winton, Oreti, Otautau and Fairfax all had coatings of snow yesterday morning. The weather at Riverton cleared during the day, but at Waipango hail fell. All roads in the Riverton district were reported to be clear last night. Motorists had difficulty in negotiating a number of roads in the province yesterday. Some were blocked and some were passable only with the use of chains.

IMPASSABLE ROADS

The Pukerau-Balclutha road was covered with two inches of snow, but was considered passable with the use of chains. There was frozen snow on the road at Mt. Cargill and there also chains were advised. The Kelso-Tapanui-Waipahi road was blocked, and chains were necessary to negotiate the Rae’s Junction-Edievale-Crookston-Tapanui road, which was covered with snow to a depth of four inches.

The road from Gore to Waikaka was blocked at Chatton Hill, but was otherwise passable with chains. It was also possible to negotiate the Gore-Browns road with the aid of chains, but the Mataura-Clinton road was impassable. Because of the surface.of the road being frozen there was a difficult bit at Glenure Hill on the road from Invercargill to Balfour. The Gore-Riversdale road was reported to be clearing. Yesterday there were 12 inches of snow at the Homer Tunnel and six inches at Cascade Creek.

Because of traffic interruptions several witnesses from the Tapanui district were unable to reach Invercargill for a case in the Supreme Court yesterday and the case was adjourned until today.

EASTERN SOUTHLAND

Eastern Southland experienced more heavy falls of snow during Monday night, followed by the heaviest frost this winter. Yesterday morning motorists had to exercise extreme care in negotiating district roads. A few showers of rain fell at Gore yesterday afternoon and there was quite a good thaw. Further falls of snow are possible, but indications last night were that the worst of the storm has passed. The main north road was clear last night- , . At Gore yesterday morning the ground was covered to a depth of about five inches, the snow being even deeper in some parts of the town. Seven degrees of frost were recorded during the night with the result that the streets were difficult to negotiate in the early hours. Several showers of sleet and rain fell yesterday afternoon, and most of the streets were soon fairly clear. A good deal of snow was still lying on the footpaths, lawns and gardens last night. Reports received in Gore yesterday indicated that Eastern Southland has borne the brunt of the storm which has swept the southern areas during the last few days. Northern Southland, which usually suffers worst, has not been badly affected and all roads have been clear throughout. Deep drifts still covered the Gore-Waikaka road via Chatton yesterday, the snow being more than six feet deep in some places. Although members of the County Council staff were working on this road all day it was still closed to traffic last night. The Waipahi-Conical Hills road was still closed to traffic last night.

POWER SUPPLY INTERRUPTED

The electricity supply has been affected throughout the Eastern District by the storm. Snow and wind brought lines down on Sunday night, and by Monday morning most of the country area around Gore was without power. The breakdown staff of the Southland Electric Power Supply has been kept fully occupied, and although the greater part of the district was again without power yesterday morning, the power was fully restored during the day. At Gore only one interruption occurred. A tree at the corner of Ardwick and Devon streets became loaded during the night and at 6.50 a.m. yesterday a sagging branch brought down one of the lines. The fault was quickly repaired and the power was fully restored by 8.15 a.m.