Kevin O’Toole is praising Port Fairy SES and the local community after his house narrowly escaped flooding in Tuesday’s heavy rains.
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Floodwater filled the garage at Mr O’Toole’s Dyson Street property, but quick-thinking friends and the local SES unit were able to save the house.
Mr O’Toole said at one point, there were six people using brooms to furiously sweep water away from the house before SES crews arrived to sandbag the property.
“The rain has just been phenomenal, I’ve never seen such rain,” he said.
The O’Tooles are still mopping up after the downpour and have yet to add up the damage bill, but Mr O’Toole said they were just relieved their house escaped damage.
“It came very close to getting in the door,” he said.
“The SES did a terrific job and it showed the strength of the Port Fairy community, everyone pulls together when something happens.”
Mr O’Toole said blocked drains were to blame for the flash flood and he plans to speak to the Moyne Shire about the issue.
Port Fairy SES Unit controller Stephen McDowell said many gardens and garages were underwater in yesterday’s downpour. He said the unit had at least 12 call-outs that included from around the intersection of the Princes Highway and Regent Street to Awabi Court in Port Fairy’s west.
"It's mainly flash flooding and the stormwater drains not being able to cope," Mr McDowell said.
He said eight members from his unit were sandbagging premises and pumping water away from others in efforts to protect buildings.