Storm in Waikato

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19598, 10 June 1935, Page 6

Storm in Waikato

RAIN, LIGHTNING, WIND.

VERY HEAVY DOWNPOUR.

CONSIDERABLE FLOODING OCCURS,

A storm of groat Intensity broke over the Waikato last even - Ing and for more than 12 hours raged In the form of a heavy downpour, aooompanled by a boisterous westerly wind, vivid lightning flashes and reverberating peals of thunder. The weather was most severe at about 9 o’clock when the streets In Hamilton were awash with water but until late In the night the lightning and thunder continued. This morning conditions had Improved but a oold westerly breeze still persisted.

The total rainfall recorded in Hamilton over the week-end was i.soin., .25in. being recorded on Saturday and 1.25 in. yesterday. This is one of the heaviest falls experienced in the district this winter. Probably the most striking feature of the storm was the vivid lightning display. To the accompaniment of oppressive thunder flash followed flash and the scene was momentarily lit as though by daylight. Heavy rain -fell continuously hut shortly after 10 p.m. there was a brief respite before showers again set in.

Damage In Hamilton.

The strong wind burst open several loosely shackled windows and in some cases the glass was broken. In Mandeno Jackson's Building in Victoria Street an entire casement was blown out and the glass scattered on the footpath below. Fortunately there were no pedestrians in the vicinity at the time. On exposed sections signs and placards were seriously battered and some were flattened.

Heavy thunderstorms were experienced in country districts of the Waikato. ■ However, Orinl, which has been the centre of many floods in past years, is almost entirely free or water although the channels construcljcd in the Taupiri drainage) scheme are carrying an abnormal quantity of swamp water. There was a stiff current running down the creeks and a great deal of erosion has occurred, particularly on the new cuts that have recently been constructed. When the storm was at its height water collected in low-lying sections of road and motorists had to proceed with caution through long pools of water which were several Inches deep. Unmetalled roads were in a very treacherous condition. No serious road troubles have been reported to the Hamilton office of the Automobile Association and all . the main routes are apparently in good order. However, in several places the roads are very soft and motorists will And some difficulty in negotiating theso routes. Conditions are especially bad where reconstruction work J# in hand.

FALL AT TE AROHA.

2.23 INCHES RECORDED.

RIVERS RUNNING BANK-HIGH.

(By Telegraph.—special to Times.)

TE AROHA, Monday. Rain set in at Te Aroha on Saturday night and continued on Sunday with thunderstorms In the afternoon and evening. The registration at the tourist domain for the 24 hours to 9 a-m. on Sunday was .88 Inches and from then to 9 o’clock this morning 1.35 inches. The downpour on Te Aroha Mountain was considerably more. Creeks are flooded and the Waihou River is bank-high and 'Still rising. No damage is yet reported from the out-districts. The weather is stitf threatening.

WORST FOR YEARS.

STORM AT THAMES.

VIVID LIGHTNING DISPLAY.

ELECTRIC POWER 'CUT OFF.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

THAMES, Monday.

The worst electrical storm experienced In Thames within living memory raged over the district for over half an 'hour from 9.45 last night. Exceptionally vivid and continuous flashes of lightning, heavy rolls of thunder, and a deluge of hail and rain alarmed many residents particularly when the lightning caused a failure in the power supply. Heralded by vidid lightning and peals of thunder the storm rapidly approached across the Firth from the west, and during its height the whole town was illuminated by the continuous flashes. The slorm passed as quickly as It had come. There was a rapid change In the temperature. The power supply was restored within an hour except for one portion served by a sub-station which was put out of action toy the lightning. •Despite the intensity of the storm no reports of serious damage or casualties are yet to hand.

RAIN AT CAMBRIDGE.

NEARLY THREE INCHES FOR Wt CAMBRIDGE, Monday. During the past week rain fell every day in the Cambridge district, and the total for the period to 9 a.m. Monday is nearly three inches. Heavy rain fell over tho week-end and especially yesterday (Sunday) morning. The countryside is sodden and miniature lakes are to be seen everywhere. Only 10.8 hours of bright sunshine were recorded up .to .9 a.ra, Saturday.