A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1929, Page 8

A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO

HOUSES UNROOFED. PALMERSTON NORTH, June 21. A tornado descended upon Palmerston North at 3.25 this afternoon, sweeping across a corner ol the borough and demolishing chimneys, fences and trees and unroofing houses. The occupants of dwellings suffered alarming experiences. One lady was jammed in a door, which swung on her, it taking the united efforts of three persons to release her. Where the wind entered through roofs, rooms were turned into a chaotic condition. Linoleum was lifted oil floors and bundled up in twisted heaps. Pictures were smashed, furniture strewn about and roofing iron carried hundreds of yards like pieces of paper. Despite the dangerous nature of the Hying iron, nobody is reported hurt, although a boy returning from school was picked up by a whirlwind and deposited iu a drain, suffering cuts to his knees. A corner of the roof of the Girls’ High School was ripped off, tiles being deposited on the lawn. Classes were in progress at the time, and the pupils were thoroughly frightened. Tluvtrack of the whirlwind was about two chains wide, and was traceable tonight for at least four miles. Telephone lines were brought down and the nature of damage done outside 'he borough is not ascertainable at ' !io present time.