TERRIFIC STORM

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1932, Page 5

TERRIFIC STORM

N.S.W. VISITATION

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE RESULTS. I' Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, December 15. A violent storm occured in Sydney at 4.30 this afternoon, accompanied by thunder, fierce lightning and a howling gale. All city traffic was dislocated for half an hour. Water channels overiiowcd into the shops, offices and basements. Extensive damage to city and suburban property is expected. To-day’s storm here was one of unparalleled violence. The min swept the streets of the city in a manner that drove the pedestrians to shelter, also smashing windows, and unroofing houses in various parts of the metiopolitan area. The wind was of cyclonic force, blowing at tlie rate of 67 miles an hours. It blew down hoardings and fences, leaving a trail of wreckage, and causing the greatest consternation among the house holders, Four shops at Milson’s Point, on the north side of the harbour) were struck by lighting or by a fireball, and then the wind completed their destruction. Three persons were injured.

The Public Hall at Hunter’s Hill was brought down by the storm, while the roof of a house in the same suburb was carried into a neighbouring tree. A large garage at tlie Commonwealth Oil Refineries was struck by lightning and was completely wrecked.

There were many anxious moments for the Sydney harbour ferries during the height of the storm, when, owing to the lashing rain, the visibility was very bad, but reports state that all was well.

A number of cars in the underground parking area in the city were seriously damaged when the protecting fence fell from above, a distance of forty feet, and stove in the hoods. The fruit barrows in the streets, with their contents, were swept along the streets by the swirling waters. Motor cars were deposited on the pavements- Reports from all parts of the metropolitan area disclose that the torrential rain penetrated the houses in each place, causing havoc to the furniture and the bedding. The storm which is described as one of the worst in the history of Sydney, was preceded by a severe humidity, and lowering clouds, which plunged the city into semi-darkness, then, with dramatic suddenness, the fierce wind brought the rain in blinding white clouds, after the manner of a tornado, (catching everybody 'unawares. “For tlie hext half hour, the whole euy was deluged, causing, the entire suspension of business and of traffic. A boy was electrocuted at Auburn by fallen wires.

Almost every building on both sides of Blues Point, at North Sydney, was seriously damaged. Lightning struck (the bridge and enveloped the steel work in s'hootrng flames. Passengers on a- train hound for Hornsby had a terrifying experience. Loud ronorts were heard from under tlie train which lurched, and bumped up and down, and finally came to stop in the middle of a Bridge. Another loud report wiara followed by a flash of flame, and it was later found 1 overhead gear of the pantograph w'as wrecked.