HEAVY GALES ON WEST COAST

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1948, Page 4

HEAVY GALES ON WEST COAST

Power Interruptions Easter Sunday this year was probably one of the most boisterous ror a number of years, and conditions were stormy along the coast, especially in the Buller district. Locally ram continued nignt over a good part part of yesterday. ’ In the early morning it was accompanied by a strong gale, which at times was vSUuiaud nave ueen in excess oi 45 m.p.h. Many residents were awakened between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. yesterday by the roaring of the wind, which rocked some of the houses on the higher levels of the town. The Greymouth power supply failed at about b. 30 a.m. yesterday and was not restored for more than an hour. This failure and minor ones were caused by the wind. Most of the dislocations affected private residences. The wind, which was at its height at about 4.30 a.m, reached 45 m.p.h. in Greymouth, although it is probable that in the Gorge it reached as much as 60 m.p.h. Persons walking or cycling on the streets when the wind was at its strongest experienced considerable difficulty in making headway. i_,ast nignc me wnia nau moaerated and there was little rain falling, this coming in intermittent showers. The outlook for to-day is for continued unsettled weather.

The staff oi the Grey Electric Power Board was out early in the morning to repair damage. In the rural districts there were some broken lines and poles damaged. None of the faults, however, was of such a nature as to cause very serious inconvenience. Most of the broken wires were snapped after coming in contact with branches of trees, waved furiously by the strong gusts of wind North of Runanga a small tree fell across the main road, but was removed and pushed to the side without holding up any traffic. On other country roads trees were "blown down but in all cases were removed without, an trouble.

Damage was done by the storm when a tree tell across the main Greymouth-Wellington telephone carrier line at a point about six miles south of Reefton. This line, connecting with the North Island via Blenhiem and Nelson, is the normal means of communication from Greymouth to Wellington. During the break, the East Coast line was used and services were not affected to any great extent. All communications north of Grevmouth were restored early yesterday afternoon.

In Greymouth itself there was no serious damage. There were a few wireless aerials on the ground when their owners arose yesterday' morning, and some residents had to replace sheets of roofing iron unseated by the wind. A stage door exit of the Opera House was swung off its hinges during* the height of the gale. The door which opens onto Lord Street, -Ijad to be nailed in place in the morning. Gardens suffered in the wind. Tall growing varieties of flowers and vegetables were flattened, and-..the driving rain swamped smaller varieties. Fences too were struck: and a number of these will have to he reerected.

Heavy downpours in the country district caused streams to become swollen. The Grey River has a swirling rush of muddy water. The Wind whipped the sea up. Driftwood was deposited on the beaches north and south of Greymouth. No roads were blocked or flooded in or near Greymouth and no reports were received yesterday of damage to roads in South In Hokitika the wind blew at'gale force and heavy rain fell during the day. At Westport rhe power was off yesterday morning for some time and a couple of aircraft were damaged at the local aerodrome.