NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
August 1942 New Zealand High Winds ( 1942-08-26 )
Northland
Tornado
at
Kaitaia
A tornado struck Kaitaia at 10:45am on the 26th.
The tornado cut a swath of destruction through the town. The roofs and verandas of most buildings in the main street collapsed or disappeared. A small house was lifted, completely turned around and smashed to pieces on Awanui Road. Part of a furniture shop was destroyed and several store sheds were destroyed. The large Ford garage was mostly demolished. The verandahs and portions of the roof of the Drapery store were carried away. The roof and balcony of a boarding house were lifted off. Part of the Theatre roof was blown off. A milking shed was flattened and a small hut was completely wrecked.. The chimney and skylights on the roof of Vega's resturant were damaged.
A 10-year-old boy was killed by flying objects. He died in hospital from a fractured skull and severe haemorrhage.
Eight people required hospital attention for injuries - a boy aged 4, a girl aged 8, a boy aged 15, a boy aged 18, two married ladies, a married man and a single lady.
This was the worst tornado on record (up to 1945) with respect to injuries.
The trail of devastation began at the north end of town.
An empty school bus was lifted in the air and smashed. A car was lifted bodily and deposited on an empty section.
All communication services suffered to some extent.
The amount of damage done was estimated at £60,000 ($4,556,000 2008 dollars)
Hail
The tornado was preceded by thunder and a heavy hail storm.
Heavy Rain
The tornado was followed by light rain.
The damage and casualties occurred in the space of five seconds.
Manawatu-Wanganui
High Wind / Gust
at
Shannon
Shannon recorded a peak gust of 73 knots (135 km/hr) on the 26th, at 130 degrees true.
References
- Seelye, C.J. (1945). Tornadoes in New Zealand. N.Z.J.Sci. and Tech. 27(2): 166-174
- New Zealand Meteorlogical Service. Technical Information Circular No. 191, Extreme Wind Gusts.
- Headline: Damage estimated at £60,000; town under military
- The Northern Advocate, 26 August 1942.
- Headline: Tornado strikes Kaitaia; 1 dead 8 in hospital; main street hit.
- The Northern Advocate, 26 August 1942.
- Headline: Restoring order in wake of yesterday's cyclone.
- The Northern Advocate, 27 August 1942.
August 1942 New Zealand High Winds ( 1942-08-26 )
Northland
Tornado
at
Kaitaia
A tornado struck Kaitaia at 10:45am on the 26th.
The tornado cut a swath of destruction through the town. The roofs and verandas of most buildings in the main street collapsed or disappeared. A small house was lifted, completely turned around and smashed to pieces on Awanui Road. Part of a furniture shop was destroyed and several store sheds were destroyed. The large Ford garage was mostly demolished. The verandahs and portions of the roof of the Drapery store were carried away. The roof and balcony of a boarding house were lifted off. Part of the Theatre roof was blown off. A milking shed was flattened and a small hut was completely wrecked.. The chimney and skylights on the roof of Vega's resturant were damaged.
A 10-year-old boy was killed by flying objects. He died in hospital from a fractured skull and severe haemorrhage.
Eight people required hospital attention for injuries - a boy aged 4, a girl aged 8, a boy aged 15, a boy aged 18, two married ladies, a married man and a single lady.
This was the worst tornado on record (up to 1945) with respect to injuries.
The trail of devastation began at the north end of town.
An empty school bus was lifted in the air and smashed. A car was lifted bodily and deposited on an empty section.
All communication services suffered to some extent.
The amount of damage done was estimated at £60,000 ($4,556,000 2008 dollars)
Hail
The tornado was preceded by thunder and a heavy hail storm.
Heavy Rain
The tornado was followed by light rain.
The damage and casualties occurred in the space of five seconds.
Manawatu-Wanganui
High Wind / Gust
at
Shannon
Shannon recorded a peak gust of 73 knots (135 km/hr) on the 26th, at 130 degrees true.
References
- Seelye, C.J. (1945). Tornadoes in New Zealand. N.Z.J.Sci. and Tech. 27(2): 166-174
- New Zealand Meteorlogical Service. Technical Information Circular No. 191, Extreme Wind Gusts.
- Headline: Damage estimated at £60,000; town under military
- The Northern Advocate, 26 August 1942.
- Headline: Tornado strikes Kaitaia; 1 dead 8 in hospital; main street hit.
- The Northern Advocate, 26 August 1942.
- Headline: Restoring order in wake of yesterday's cyclone.
- The Northern Advocate, 27 August 1942.