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. This photograph shows the damage done to the trees in the Victoria Esplanade during the storm.