A severe storm which crossed the North Island on 2 February 1936 caused substantial damage in and around Palmerston North, one of the hardest hit towns. Houses lost roofs, chimneys were blown over, the grandstands of the A&P Association, the Awapuni Racecourse and the sportsground were demolished, and a man was killed when he was blown off his roof as he tried to repair it. This photograph shows the damage to St Chad's Anglican Church in Longburn. The Manawatu Evening Standard (3/02/1936) described the aftermath: "Severe damage was done to the township of Longburn, where the hall was unroofed and St Chad's Anglican Church, the interior of which had just been painted at Christmas, was pounded into pieces, only three denuded and swaying walls being left standing."