It took more than three months but Elliot Pollard is finally home.
The Ngongotahā resident was one of many evacuated from their homes on April 29 when the Ngongotahā Stream burst its banks.
The flooding saw families displaced and 94 homes issued insanitary notices.
Pollard's was one of those, and he and his wife returned to their home about two weeks ago.
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"In that time there was a rebuild of the house internally.
"They [builders] pulled all the gib off and rebuilt the house from the floor up."
Pollard said the water rose 60cm up the walls and doors and cabinetry all had to be replaced.
"Anything the water came in to contact with was considered contaminated.
"We were lucky to have friends in Hamurana with a furnished cottage which they offered to us."
Pollard's son and his family also had to leave their home but are yet to return.
"It was a sort of limbo for three months."
Pollard said it was fortunate he was insured. He knew of some people who were not.
During the flooding his caravan also floated down a nearby street. It's since been replaced and is now stored on higher ground, Pollard said.
Pollard said the flooding had brought the community together and they were all awaiting the results of the council's inquiry.
"It was an adversity that has knitted this community together," he said.
"Everybody was so good at looking after everybody and helping.
"Regional council and local council have yet to come back and explain what happened and what's been put in place for the future so that it never breaches again."
The independent review was announced less than two weeks after the flooding and the four-member panel expects to tie up its review in September.
In a Rotorua Lakes Council statement it said Flood Recovery Office navigators were still helping those affected.
Image 1 of 61: Flooding in Rotorua. Cormac Davis, 12, . Moncur Dr. Photo/Ben Fraser
The statement said of the 94 homes issued with insanitary notices, 20 had notices lifted while another 20 were expected to be lifted within coming weeks.
Recovery manager Paula Meredith said in the statement the kaiārahi (navigators) were tactful and respectful to everyone's different situation.
"They have developed a great set of skills and have helped people through very tough and stressful situations."
The kaiārahi had a list of nearly 1000 residents they had been in contact with, and 475 of those cases had now been closed.
People who still needed help could contact the Flood Recovery Office on 0800 020 001.
Residential Advisory Service support was also available to help with insurance issues on 0800 777 299.