VIOLENT STORM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 9

VIOLENT STORM

DAMAGE IN SYDNEY

WIND OF CYCLONIC FORCE.

BOY ELECTROCUTED,

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.)

S\ DNE\, Dec. 15.

A most violent storm occurred a. Sydney at 4.30 o’clock this afternoon. It was accompanied by thunder, fierce lightning and a howling gale. All citv traffic was dislocated for half an hour. Hater channels overflowed into shops, offices and basements. Extensive damago is expected to be revealed by inspection.

\\ ith unparalleled violence rain swept the streets, driving pedestrians to shelter, smashing windows and unrooting houses in various parts of the metropolitan area. A wind of cyclonic force —its velocity reached 67 miles an hour—blew down hoardings and fences, leaving a trail of wreckage and causing the greatest consternation among householders.

A boy was electrocuted at Auburn by fallen wires. Four shops at Milson's Point, on the north side of the harbour, were-struck by lightning or a firebali, and the wind completed their destruction. Three persons were injured. The public hall at Hunter’s Hill was brought down, while the roof of a house in the same suburb was carried into a neighbouring tree. A large garage at the Commonwealth Oil Itefineries was struck by lightning and completely wrecked. There wore many anxious moments for those on the harbour ferries during the height of the storm, when, owing to the lashing rain, visibility was very bad, but reports state that all is well.

A number of cars in an underground parking area in the city were seriously damaged, when a protecting fence above fell forty feet and stove in their hoods. Fruit barrows with their contents were swept along the streets by swirling waters, o.nd motor cars were deposited on pavements. Reports from all parts of the metropolitan area disclose that torrential rain penetrated houses, causing havoc to furniture and bedding. The storm, which is described as one of the worst in the history of Sydney, was preceded by severe humidity. Lowering clouds plunged the city into semi-darkness. Then with dramatic suddenness a fierce wind brought rain in blinding white clouds after the manner of a tornado, catching everybody unawares. For the next- half-hour the whole city was deluged, causing an entire suspension of business and traffic.

TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE

LIGHTENING STRIKES BRIDGE.

Received December 16 10.25 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 16. Almost every building oa both sides of Blues Point, North Sydney, was seriously damaged. . Lightning struck the bridge and enveloped th© steel work in shooting flames. , Passengers on a tram bound tor Hornsbv had a terrifying experience. Loud reports were heard from under the train, which lurched and bumped up and down, and finally came to stop in the middle of the bridge. Another loud report was followed by a flash or flam©. Later it was found that th© overhead eear of th© pantograph was wrecked.