Residents were left shocked after sudden overnight flooding swept through homes and local facilities, causing widespread damage and disruption.
According to a report by 1News, Wendy Lindsay said the ordeal began in the early hours when her son woke the household after noticing water entering their home. “It was loud, the water was inside the house, and it was swooshing, so he goes, ‘Guys do you know what’s happening, there’s water everywhere.”
Moments later, Lindsay realised the seriousness of the situation. She said she got up, put her feet down, made a splash, and thought, “Oh, we’re f***ed,” 1News has quoted.
The family quickly tried to salvage what they could, moving belongings to higher ground as water spread through the house. However, within about 30 minutes, the water began to recede.
Outside, the damage continued. Floodwater had entered Lindsay’s car and garage, leaving her spare fridge-freezer filled with a mixture of meat and mud.
Neighbours Gracie and Grace, who live on the same street, said they were woken around 3am by heavy rain. Gracie described watching the water rise rapidly, eventually reaching window height, as reported by 1News.
“Our car has actually floated down the road and crashed into all of our neighbour’s cars, which is great,” said Grace, as quoted by 1News.
Local facilities were also affected. Island Bay Bowling Club member Alison Stewart said members arriving in the morning were confronted with more flooding than anticipated.
“This is the first time we’ve actually seen the club itself flooded out.”
She said the damage would require a significant cleanup effort, with water levels reaching about halfway up the doors at its peak.
“It’s been about a two to three-inch level right throughout the whole club,” 1News has quoted.
The club has begun contacting its insurance company as it assesses the extent of the damage.