Maraekakaho's Errol Kelly was yesterday salvaging what he could from his garage and first-storey lounge room. Interrupted by calls from insurance companies and friends, he talked of the "Niagara Falls" that swept down his driveway on Tuesday morning.
Mr Kelly and his family moved to Maraekakaho eight months ago, looking to
escape the noise of central Hastings. This was his dream home, he said, as he padded across the spongy asphalt driveway undermined by the flash flood.
Despite pleas from wife Sue to evacuate with neighbours, he had tried to rescue his Toyota Hilux. "But the water pressure was so immense, it slid the whole car around," he said.
He escaped just minutes before the $20,000 utility overturned into a hole on the driveway.
It's a write-off, along with his motorbike, quad bike, ride-on mower and other appliances and furnishings.
His driveway also needs replacing.
But it could have been worse, he insisted. His neighbours had 15cm of water right through their home.
"My son was in a bad accident a month ago, and you can't bring his friend back.When things like that happen, it's hard to squeal too much about a truck in a hole, " he said.
