The damage bill from a tornado-like weather event that ripped through the Lake Purrumbete Holiday Park has doubled to $2 million.
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John Clements, who owns the park with his wife Marina, said the fallout continued to climb as holiday-goers picked up the pieces.
The extreme weather event occurred about 10.30pm on May 1 on Koallah's Purrumbete Estate Road, about 15km east of Camperdown.
Boats, cabins and white goods were caught in the high winds and thrown into nearby paddocks.
Mr Clements said the damage bill had increased to about $2 million.
"We initially thought it would be about $1 million but it has continued to grow," he said.
"That's not all my damage, it's everyone in the park."
Mr Clements said the Lake Purrumbete boat ramp was now open during daylight hours but the holiday park remained closed.
"We are still cleaning up and dealing with insurance companies which absorbs a lot of time," he said.
"We've cleaned up about 90 per cent of the physical mess but there is still a long way to go. I think it will be another year or two before we are back to normal. For now we are just focusing on getting back on track.
"The aftermath was pretty horrific."
Mr Clements said it took weeks for reality to sink in.
"I think it was the day before yesterday when it suddenly all hit me. It hit me way harder than when it first happened," he said.
"I haven't had much sleep in three weeks, I've been working hard to get the park back to what it was but that will take time."
I haven't had much sleep in three weeks, I've been working hard to get the park back to what it was but that will take time
- John Clements
Mr Clements said a proportion of the park would re-open in time for the Queen's Birthday weekend in June.
"There's still parts of the park that we can't open due to a lot of different reasons, including power still being disconnected," he said.
"We will be opening in time for that long weekend and we're already booked out."
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Mr Clements said he was overwhelmed by the support received from local emergency services, businesses, families, Corangamite Shire council and south-west politicians.
"I'd like to give special thanks to Dan Tehan, Richard Riordon, Jennifor Lowe and Bev McArthur for taking time out of their busy schedules and stopping by to offer their support," he said.
"Jennifer and Bev came to visit me at a time when I really needed it. When everyone else was gone they came back to check up on how I was going.
"For them to come out in their busy schedule just days before an election was really brilliant.
"I would also like to apologise to anyone I haven't had time to reach out to, to thank them for their offers of support. If I haven't got back to you, it is not intentional and I thank you so much."
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