EVACUATED: Shoppers and staff were evacuated from the Metroplaza yesterday after fire alarms went off. Photo: STEVE GOSCH
THE 20 minute hail storm which hit Orange late on Tuesday afternoon damaged a number of homes, shops and businesses.
Undercover parking at local shopping centres was at a premium as drivers headed for cover to prevent hail damage to their vehicles.
Yesterday Kmart had reopened in the Metroplaza after water poured into the building, however, Blooms the Chemist wasn't able to trade after computers and registers were affected by water.
The Telstra Shop was closed for most of the day while mopping up continued inside, and while most shops were unaffected, the Crossroads fashion store moved racks outside and used fans to dry out carpet after water poured in to the north eastern side of the building.
Just after 11am trading in all the stores was shut down during a fire evacuation with staff and shoppers spilling out on to the street.
Orange Fire Brigade Station Officer Arthur Richards said several faults showed up simultaneously on the board at Orange Fire Station prompting the response and evacuation.
"It was probably part of the problem related to water coming in and we had to wait for mechanics to fix the problem."
Orange City Council building and environment services manager Mark Hodges said the large expanse of roof and box-style guttering contributed to the flooding.
"The hail would have caused blockages and it's not usual to get that much hail over such a long period," Mr Hodges said.
Late yesterday the work was still not over for the SES who responded to a call to help clean up at the former Coronet Theatre (recently renamed Party Nightclub) after water leaked in.
