RAIN OF ICE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1928, Page 2

RAIN OF ICE

SAVAGE CHANGE IN WEATHEII

hailstorm wreaks havoc

NAPIER. Dec. 11

Heralded by deafening booming ibunder and vivid, almost blinding. Hashes of sheet lightning, tlie most severe hailstorm experienced for many years broke over Napier and surrounding districts this afternoon, and after raging with unabated fury for about two hours, left, in its wake hundreds of pounds’ worth ol damage in the form of stripped fruit trees, tomato plants, flower gardens, ruined crops, and damaged giassnoascs. ( Mit.inuous thunder for three-quar-ters of ;m hour was followed by a tremendous downpour ol bail, the size ol peas. As the fury of the storm increased. hail pellets became larger, till in some parts they were mure than out- and a-lmlf inches long and an inch thick. For half an hour had pelted down, wreaking havoc everywhere, and when it eventually ceased, heavy rain n-t in for an hour, and drenched tin ountryside. Extensive damage is reported from most districts, though the oai'ts supporting orchards and tomato ■Tops were hit hardest. Eskdnle, the centre of the rich tomato growing district north of Napier, was hit first. Here young and hardy plants just reaching maturity were cut off near tlie ground, valuable crops being completely ruined. It is estimated that (50 to 70 thousand plants were lost.

From Eskdale the storm swept in a souh-easteriy direction in a broad holt. nihraeing Greeiimeadows. Park Island. Napier. Pukowlmi, and then swept easterly to the sea, where it spent it> force

Experiences at Pari: Island, where the Old People's Home is situat'd, wenalmost: terrifying, lie came down in large lagged pieces. and smashed through window panes and a glasshouse. All the panes on one side o! a glasshouse, which is p.’Olt. long, were smashed hv the force of the hail, ami most of the panes on the other side. Another house suffered to the extent el dxty panes. Ice cut through the windo s of a private residence, and piled up six inches deep against the walls.

At Greeiimeadows hail was lying ir phi-es seven to eight inches deep, while leaves from stripped trees completely covered the road. Several motor-cars v-ere held up near I’akowhai. south oi Napier being unable to proceed through tin- hail. Haymakers in the middle ol operations had their work undone. In one instance a stack in the making, three feet high, was beaten down flat, while the hides of cat Lie were pierced hv sharp icy projectiles. It is reported from one place that 7o hail pellets were collected and weighed. They turned the scale at 111).

The damage in the city was confined to flower gardens where tremendous havoc was wrought. Rain flooded the streets, but tlie water quickly drained away. In low-lying districts, however, the water lay deep and had tlie downpour lasted much longer would undoubtedly have ’ entered houses and shops.

Orcbardists suffered most from the visitation. Many rich crops in Havelock. Manga teretere. and Pakowbai districts were very badly affected, though the true damage will not be known till an inspection is made tomorrow. Fruit being prepared for export was mined, and it is expected this will affect the output for the season. This; is the third occasion in six years that fruit lias boon damaged, the last time being in December. i!>22. Although the course taken by the storm was broad, curiously enough properties side by side were affected differntly. In one case at pskdale, a tomato planter lost heavily, while his neighbour was comparatively unaffected. Moreover, the storm seems to have cut a clearly defined field. Napier and dMriets mentioned felt the full force, while residents in Hastings knew nothing of the occurrence. Very heavy rain fell in the Hast ings district- in the early'hours of this morning, but Napier* \ve« untouched. Half an hour before tbe thunder commenced the district was bathed in sunshine, and I evend a black cloud or two, well down on flic horizon there was nothing to indicate such a savage change in conditions.