On Saturday last this town and neighbourhood were visited by a terrible thunderstorm or rather a series of storms; the forenoon was intensely hot, and there were evident signs that the air was charged with electricity. Shortly after two o’clock the first storm burst with terrible grandeur over the place, flash succeeded flash with great rapidity, while the thunder was heavier than is usual, in many instances resembling rapid discharges of artillery in close proximity, while the rain fell in perfect torrents, converting the streets into a river, the water pouring down the town towards the river with great rapidity carrying large quantities of soil and gravel in its course. After a few minutes suspense other storms followed until eight o’clock when the elements became calm, after the most alarming storms ever known in the neighbourhood; the highways presented the appearance of fallow fields by the quantity of sand and stones thrown up in many places, while great damage was done to the gardens, the fruit trees in many places being stripped of their fruit especially the apples.
We have not heard of any serious accident, but Mr Christy, of Stanford Hall, lost a fine bullock, which was so frightened by the storm that it rushed into a ditch, and received such injuries that it died. A shed in the occupation of Mr Brittain, grocer, Willingale, was set on fire, and it was only through the prompt attention of the neighbours that the house &c. were saved. Mr Brittain lost a £10 note from the bureau, someone having stolen it amid the bustle of putting out the fire.
From the Chelmsford Chronicle 6 July 1866