"We've put in sandbags with rubber underneath, we've constructed a defence on the side of the house, and then around the back we've just blocked off absolutely everything," Musturs said.
"We've got family all around, so we'll all be staying on the phones.
"Last time the emergency supplies floated away, but this time we've got it high up inside the house.
"Lots of water, power packs in case the power goes off. So we feel we can handle anything over the next three days."
Sharlane Evans was also sandbagging her home, wary of the flooding that last time put sewage through neighbours' homes.
"It's easier to prevent than fix, especially raw sewage. Raw sewage: I really don't want that in my house.
"Our neighbours have got a garage that's down quite low, so some of these bags are for them, just a precaution.
"I'd rather know that I've done what I can, rather than find out too late that the house is full of water."
Evans said they'd stocked up with bottles of water and tinned food, and the neighbours would be staying in touch with each other when the cyclone was at its worst in the evening.
"Just because of what happened last time, some people on the corner got thrashed.
"We don't have the king tide this time, but there's more rain.
"May as well band together and keep everybody as dry as possible. We may end up playing Pictionary by candlelight later tonight, but that's not all bad."
All flights in and out of Nelson airport have now been cancelled.
