1966 Cyclone wreaks havoc

Originally published December 13, 1966

THE worst storm in Sunraysia’s history caused damage amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.It was later estimated to be more than $2 million.

Almost all of the irrigation area was lashed by the storm which was a mixture of thunder, cyclone-strength winds, rain and rapid pressure fluctuations.

The strongest wind gust recorded was 71 miles per hour.

The storm unroofed houses and sheds, ripped trees out by the roots, tore huge branches off others and scattered debris over an area of more than 50 square miles.

Greatest single damage was caused to a block of flats nearing completion at the corner of Fourteenth Street and Walnut Avenue.

The complete ceiling and roof section of the flats was torn off and hurled into a nearby partly-built house and on top of a car and a truck.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged.

The general scene, a half hour after the gale, resembled the aftermath of a bomb blast.

Only the walls of the flats were intact and workmen were warned not to go inside as the building was dangerous.

Five hours after the storm reports of damage were still coming in.

Parts of the area were still cut off from electricity at that time.

The storm gave the State Electricity Commission and PMG linesmen their biggest ever flood of emergency calls.

Power had to be disconnected to dozens of homes because power lines had been cut by flying debris or blown down by the fury of the storm.

The storm hit shortly before 3pm.

The storm brought a rapid fall in temperature — from 93.6 degrees Fahrenheit to 65.

The storm wracked the he new manual arts building at Mildura High School when it was sucked up by the wind and crashed against a wall.