SEVERE STORMS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 384, 16 March 1937, Page 5

SEVERE STORMS

DAMAGE IN BRITAIN. FARMERS’ HEAVY LOSSES. Rainfall Breaks AU Records. (British Official Wireless.) Received 12.40 p.m. Rugby, March 15. Practically the whole of Scotland, Ireland’, Wales and the Northern part of England have experienced during the last few days the severest snowstorms for many years.

During the week-end the thaw began in Ireland and resulted in severe flooding, but in Scotland and Northern England further snowstorms have occurred, many country villages and farms being completely isolated. The farmers, in particular, have suffered heavy losses, as the severe weather has come just as the lambing season is due to ibegin, and many thousands of sheep are lost. In northern England and southern Scotland there is now some improvement in the road conditions, and the usual main thoroughfare to Scotland from the south is now open for single traffic. Damage at Belfast. In Belfast, three large halls belonging to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society were practically destroyed when the weight of the snow caused the collapse of the roofs, the damage being estimated at

London and southern England escaped the snow, but yesterday heavy rain fell continuously. London to-day is experiencing bright sunshine, with cold winds.

This year’s rainfall has broken all records, and the total for January and February was the greatest for G 7 years.