A severe storm which crossed the North Island 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 sports ground were demolished, and a man was killed when he was blown off his roof as he tried to repair it. Manawatu Evening Standard, February 3 1936: "The terrific force of the wind found a hold to rip away small portions at first and working others loose, reduced the upper work to a tangled mass of twisted iron, broken boards and supports. ... One large section of roofing from the stand, at least 12 feet square, carried on heavy beams, was ripped from the structure and carried without touching the ground, to the other side of the roadway in Fitzherbert Avenue, the fence running along the Fitzherbert Avenue frontage was mown down in long lengths and there was only several short pieces left standing."