The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

blow away
 vt.

    To remove (files and directories) from permanent storage, generally by
    accident. ?He reformatted the wrong partition and blew away last night's
    netnews.? Oppose nuke.


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

blow away

    To remove (files and directories)
   from permanent storage, generally by accident.  "He
   reformatted the wrong partition and blew away last night's
   netnews".

   Compare: nuke.

   [Jargon File]

   (1996-01-05)