OTARA STORM

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 48, 24 June 1938, Page 3

OTARA STORM

FURTHER PARTICULARS ■ WATERSPOUT REPORTED The storm iii the Opotiki district on Wednesday atternoon was- felt over a Avide area. The heavy gale passed over the AVaiotahi district, accompanied by a heavy hailstorm. The . storm then passed over Paerata Ridge ana Woodlands to the. upper parts of the Waioeka flats. The path of the storm then passed from' the Waioeka A r alley across the-hills to the Otara valley. The full force of the Avind appeared to narroAV as it approached the Otara district,, until a Aviiirhvind was formed, Passing over the A'alley between Waioeka and Otara, a maize-crib on Air J. H. Holman’s farm was struck and iron removed from the roof. The centre of the storm then passed over the high hill to Air J. Connor’s farm, where iron was ripped from a hay-stac-k and whirled to a great * height. The Avhirlwind then travelled in a southerly direction along the hillside and did considerable damage to Air S. H. Parkinson’s property around the house. The iron was ripped from the c-OAvshed and Empower and telephone service dislocated. All- K. BroAvn’s dwelling and outbuildings fortunately escaped damage as the path of the storm passed close by before striking Airs J. Black’s residence and the Otara school. • J Warning of Storm’s Approach. The roar of the storm as it approached the Otara district could be heard for a considerable time and two Avorkers who Avere on the hillside made for Airs Black’s house. Air Peter Tc lvane managed to reach the shelter of the house but his mate had to shelter under a hedge. As the wind struck flic property Avith great violence and the house trembled under the shock Mr To Kane Avas horrified to notice the Otara school commence to and move sideways. He started to go over toAvards the school and Avas met halfway by a boy who had climbed out of the school AvindoAV at the back. The boy Avas greatly agitated and called out for help, saying the children could not get out owing to the door being jammed. Air Te Kane tried to open the door but finally had to force it open. The children were 1 terrorstricken by their experience and were glad to make their escape. The children had a remarkable escape as the school was nearly blown and had it done so some of the children must have been killed. The rear of the school was shitted about four feet and the front, of the building about three feet, the front steps being moved nearly aAvay from the concrete path. The building was torn right away from the* blocks Avhicli were practically pulled wt of the ground and forced over sideways. The southern Avail Avas resting down on the ground hut the other side Avas held up several inches by the blocks underneath. The building, however, is only leaning at a A*ery small angle. The shelter shed on the south side of the school Avas completely smashed, most of the Avails lying a few yards aAvay from the concrete floor. r lhe iron roof Ayas sent a considerable distance away, while another outbuilding was turned over.

At Airs J. Black’s residence, opposite the school, a number of small trees were blown over, while ."t- tno rear of the house a big oak tree clashed across the corner of the men s sleepmg quarters. Another building on the north side of the house was turned over and dragged about a chain across the garden, the contents being strewn about.

The centre of the storm then passed over Air C. Black’s farm and a number of fine karaka trees were flattened to the ground.

Further up the Otar a road a hig limb came off a dead pine tree and blocked the road, and breaking the power wires in its fall. The big limb was removed next morning by a number of men..

It is reported that when the whirlwind crossed the Otara river a wat-er-spout appeared, rising to a height of about thirty feet. The force of the wind then quickly diminished as it passed further up the valley. A neighbour on the opposite side of the river reports that sheets ol iron from Air C. Blade’s farm were sent right across the river.

Some of the hail which fell over a wide area was reported to be of great size, some pieces of ice being nearly two inches long.