HEAVY DOWNPOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 59, 10 March 1944, Page 4

HEAVY DOWNPOUR

WANGANUI EXPERIENCES THUNDERSTORM After several showers yesterday afternoon in and around Wanganui, the city was deluged with heavy nain shortly after 8 o’clock last night, the downpour being accompanied by peals of thunder and many vivid flashes of lightning. Rain continued to fall for upwards of an hour, but the weather cleared before midnight, when there was a clear sky. When the thunderstorm was at its height the fall of rain was so heavy that, gutters in the city were unable to carry off the storm-water, which overflowed kerbs and footpaths, threatening to invade shops in some instances. Sumps at some corners were inadequate to cope with the streams of water which accumulated, and lakes which soon formed overflowed across the streets. Where there was a considerable slope in streets the gutters, filled to capacity, presented the appearance of rushing mountain torrents, and the roar of the water could be heard for a considerable distance. No damage was reported last night, but defective spouting' on some verandahs may have resulted ' in water finding its way into shops