A TERRIBLE STORM.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9386, 4 March 1909, Page 5

A TERRIBLE STORM.

' RAIN, HAIL, AND WIND. TOWNS FLOODED AND PROPERTY DESTROYED. United Press Association— By Electric Telegrapn —Copyright, Received March 4, 9 46 a.m. Perth, March 4. Tuesday night’s storm ,did widespread devastation in the Northren and York districts. The rain followed four days’ intense heat, and was accompanied by large hailstones and a cyclonic wind. It commenced suddenly at Northern and fell in cataracts, then a lull came, to be followed by another even storm. It! is estimated that seven inches of rain fell in 35 minutes. An arm of the Avon river overflowed forming a wall of water 200 yards wide, and five feet deep, which carried fences, small structures and all moveable articles before it. It rushed down on the town and flooded the main street to a depth of four, feet. Scarcely a house in the |town escaped. People took refuge on chairs aud boxes placed on tables. There wer,e many narrow escapes. One of a party of men engaged in rescue work was washed out a buggy, and only saved by oliuging to a hencoop. The constable In charge of the lockup by wading up to his armpits released two prisoners [jwho would otherwise have been drowned. To make matters worse’ the electric station ’was flooded and the town was in darkness.

The waters subsided at the end of three hours, and daylight presented a remarkable picture. The streets ware everywhere littered with debris, 'dead dogs. sheep, and 'thousands of fowls. Most of the bouses were filled with mud and were uninhabitable. The contents were largely destroyed. Business people are the greatest losers, as their stocks are ruined. The damage is estimated at from £IO,OOO to £15,-000. The Mayor has opened a relief fund. Railway and telegraphic services are disorganised, and there are many washaways. s At York the storm lasted two hours. The hailstones were as large as pigeon’s eggs. The main street was flooded and the swingbridge was [partially washed away. Miles of fancinggwera destroyed, and great damage done to property and orchards thronghout the districts devastated. At Kalgoorlia three’ men were riding in a dray, when one named Swift was struck dead by lightning and the others received a severe shock.