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. The Manawatu Standard for February 3 1936 gives this description: "By nightfall, there were 28 large trees down over the 3000 volt feeder lines to Palmerston North over a 150 yard section of roadway in Featherston Street East, just beyond Ruahine Street."