TERRIFIC STORMS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1934, Page 11

TERRIFIC STORMS

AUSTRALIAN VISITATION SEVEREST HAIL ON RECORD. — I DAMAGE DONE BY LIGHTNING. A violent hailstorm and a succession of electrical storms, during which several people were struck by lightning, made December 19 one of the most unusual days for many years. Hailstones of a size described as unknown in the metropolitan area caused havoc throughout the northern suburbs of Sydney. _ The hail crashed through roofs with bullet-like force. It smashed windows, killed poultry and devastated orchards and gardens. The hailstorm was described by the weather bureau as being of unprecedented severity, and it was officially stated that many of the stones were as large as tennis balls. The hailstones smashed through roofs, splintered thick tiles, ripped car hoods to ribbons, tore branches from trees, ruined gardens, stunned animals, and caused great damage to property. • 4 In the late afternoon ominous black clouds cast a deep gloom over the suburbs. Forked lightning flickered across the sky, and the atmosphere became menacing. Then, heralded by spattering rain, a roar could be heard drawing nearer. The storm apparently commenced on the outskirts of the farthest northern districts, and, as it closed in on the nearer districts, the roar increased. Most of the residents thought that it presaged a tornado, and sought shelter. If anyone had remained in the open, it was stated, the hailstones would have caused serious injury. v ORCHARDS DEVASTATED. The hail fell with extreme force. Gardens were devastated, and the damage to orchards was costly. Laden trees were stripped, and in many cases large apples and peaches were smashed to pulp. Thousands of pounds’ worth of damage was done to fruit trees in the Carlingford, Ryde and Eastwood districts. The Mayor of Eastwood, Mr. Ball; estimated that he lost £3OO worth of peaches. Mr. M. McGrath, of Herring Road, Eastwood, had 3000 cases of peaches cut to pieces. Other large growers suffered disheartening losses. A boy named Gallard suffered a painful wound to the face when he was struck by a large hailstone at Eastwood. In the Castle Hill district citrus orchards were badly affected by the huge stones. Pennant Hills, Chatswood, Willoughly, Roseville, Killara, St. Leonards, Artarmon, Gore Hill and the surrounding areas were swept by the storm. Observers stated. that the hail was so large that their fingers could not encircle it. Cars, particularly taxis, had their hoods and bodywork ruined. People who engaged taxis to get to their homes found that they were little use, for the vehicles were brought to a standstill and great hailstones tore through the roofing. Eighty holes were counted in the hood of one taxi-cab, and windscreens of others were broken. DAMAGE TO DWELLINGS. The majority of the houses in the affected area had windows broken, some having every window on the exposed sides, of the, buildings splintered. Roofing gave way in many residences, and water poured in through broken tiles. At an Epping garage the force of the stones was so bullet-like that they tore through the roof and then through the hoods of cars parked inside. When the stones struck the roads or open ground they rebounded feet into the air. When the storm had passed the affected districts presented a remarkable sight. Hail banked in places feet deep covered the ground for miles with a mantle, of snowy whiteness. To an observer travelling by train along the North Shore line the countryside, it appeared, had experienced a snowstorm. Many people gathered specimens of the hail and measured them; some of the stones were nearly three inches in diameter. Branches and leaves littered the ground, and birds and fowls were found lying battered and dead. Cows, horses and dogs were seen to be bruised and dazed. Some of the livestock were seriously wounded. • WOMAN LOSES A FOOT. On the previous day there also was a severe storm in portions of Victoria. Considerable damage was done in country districts, particularly in the northwest, where a fierce thunderstorm ■ passed across the State. Many build T ings were unroofed, fences and walls were blown down, and trees were uprooted. In the Mallee districts the storm was accompanied by heavy clouds of dust, and at Werrimull, where the dust was particularly heavy, most of the inhabitants were compelled to wear goggles. A heavy thunderstorm occurred at Warrnambool, and nearly half an inch of of rain fell in 20 minutes. Low-lying parts of the town were flooded. The motor-van which was carrying members of the Broadway Pantomime Company skidded on the wet road, near Illowa, and struck an electric light pole. Mrs. Broadway was trapped in the front • of the van and one of her feet was crushed. It was amputated after she was taken to hospital. Other members of the company were cut by broken glass, and the pole caught fire when the wire was broken off the insulators. _> The storm had its most serious effects at Ouyen, where it is estimated some thousands of pounds of damage was done. The wind blew with hurricane force after midnight, and the Roman Catholic Church was shifted on its foundations by the force of the gale. A produce store was almost completely wrecked, and three houses were unroofed. Many other buildings suffered extensive damage. Great damage was also done to ripe wheat crops. LOSS OF TWO LIVES.

A chimney, 100 ft. high, collapsed at the Town Hall at St. Arnaud, and crashed through the roof. Standing crops were levelled to the ground, and large trees were uprooted. The roads to Korong Vale, St. Arnaud, and other towns are blocked by huge trees. In Wedderbum about 20 houses were unroofed and portions were blown away. Sheets of iron were picked up more than two miles away. The rear wall of a new hall was blown inwards, bricks falling across the stage and smashing the piano, seats and scenery.

There was a similar storm in Brisbane and the vicinity last Thursday. One man was electrocuted, an elderly woman died from heart failure, and damage estimated at thousands of pounds was done to property. It was described as the worst storm Brisbane has experienced for many years. The -wind blew with the force of a tornado, reachjpg at times a velocity of 78 miles flfli tour—a record for Brisbane—and rain fell at the rate of nearly'/ sin. an hour. Large hailstones pounded the 'city.