TORRENTIAL RAIN

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 February 1935, Page 4

TORRENTIAL RAIN

DAMAGE IN AUCKLAND.

AHCKLAND, Friday.

Torrential rain of exceptional severity fell in Auckland and suburbs this afternoon, causing considerable damage in shops and warehouses in the lower parts of the city and in the. low-lying areas in the suburbs.

Heavy rain in the early hours of the morning was followed by warm, humid conditions, but shortly after 1 o’clock the weather again became thick, and following minor cloud bursts the storm brf'ke in full force and continued uAabated for two hours. The rain was accompanied by a mild electrical storm. Bv four o’clock the wind, which had been light from the north-east, swung round to the south-west, and with a quick improvement in the conditions, allowing thousands of shoppers who had been marooned under shop verandahs for most of the afternoon, to make for their homes.

The total fall from midnight to 4 p.m. was 4.40 in., of which probably 34in. fell during the afternoon. At the height of the storm the rain was falling at the rate of two inches an 1 our, and with the city drainage system failing to cope with the water, the streets were awash and flood waters entered many basements in the business areas.—(P.A.)

HEAVY RAIN AT LEVIN. * LEVIN, Friday. The 25 points of rain which fell at Levin last night were followed by 120 further points between 9 a.m. and noon to-day. This reduced the temperature by practically 10 degrees. Practically no rain has fallen since noon to-day, and the sky is clearing.