PHENOMENAL STORM.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1922, Page 5

PHENOMENAL STORM.

DELUGE IN SYDNEY. HAIL AS LARGE AS Eg6S. Randwlck was the centre of a phenomenal rainstorm shortly after 6 p.m. on December 21, says a Sydney paper, and in 20 minutes 200 points of rain fell. Many tramcars were derailed as the result of the thick deposits of sand which were left on the lines. A young woman, on alighting from a tram *at Cowper Street, Waverley, was swept off her feet by a surging torrent. She was carried into the gutter and completely submerged until someone dragged her out. The residents of Anzac Parade, particularly in the Albion Road section, believed for a time that they would have to evacuate their homes. The water poured in their front doors and through to the back. The most appropriate figure was that of a young man in a surfing costume. Two motoristfl in this area had to temporarily abandon their care and wade through water up to their waists. An Alison Road resident, unable to get across to his house by the front, climbed over three fences and completed approach by the rear. Among Coogee buildings flooded were the Coogee Bay Hotel, the Boomerang Picture Theatre, and the ambulance station. It was stated that the manager of the Boomerang Theatre called in the local Are brigade to pump out the water. From every quarter comes the statement that the roads were turned into veritable rivers. Residents of Bondi and Rand Wick say that never before had they seen such quantities of hail. Some of it was almost as big as hen eggs—just jagged pieces of ice. Part of Cranbrook Road, Double Bay, was washed away, and the rush of water down Birriga Road. Bellevue Hill, was n. sight to remember. The State Meteorologist, Mr. Mares, said that the thunderstorm was the pro. duct of the very extensive tropical depression which had been causing rain in Queensland and in the northern parts of New South Wales. The Randwick racecourse managers, Messrs. Law and Johnson, had an anxious time while the storm was at its height. The water was feet deep i places, and hundreds of birds were killed by the hailstorms. Thousands more, half-stunned, congregated in shelter at the back of the grandstand, and thev presented a strange sight. Extensive damage was caused by the storm at Bronte. Tram traffic was completely disorganised, and over 18in. of sand covered the rails at the terminus. Great damage was caused to buildings in the course of erection by the sand shifting from beneath the foundations, and the streets were covered with debris} of all descriptions. Bronte Park was completely submerged by over a foot of swirling water. The heavy hail played havoc with glass doors and windows, and many fences were blown down