Heavy rain, frightening hail and a wind that sounded like a screaming woman and felt like a tornado is how Tatura resident Kerrie Hickey described her experience in the freak storm that destroyed her home.
The storm, which hit the Goulburn Valley on Thursday, March 23, caused flash flooding across the region, but hit Ms Hickey harder than most.
The west-facing side of her home had the most damage, with walls thrown into other areas and bricks lying everywhere — even on the beds.
The roof was completely torn off, scattered all across the property, with bits of it found in trees as far as 30 metres away in the days after the storm.
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Tatura home ruined: A recent freak storm destroyed this home. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 2 of 10
Clean-up begins: This is just one section of the tin that is scattered across the property. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 3 of 10
Nothing salvageable: Everything in this room will be lost. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 4 of 10
Write-off: Another ruined room in Kerrie Hickey’s home. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 5 of 10
Sad sight: Home owner Kerrie Hickey faces a daunting task of rebuilding. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 6 of 10
Destroyed: A recently renovated kitchen is now wrecked. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 7 of 10
Rubble: Bricks covering the bed in one of the rooms where the roof was blown off. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 8 of 10
Shaken up: The walls in Kerrie Hickey’s home literally moved into another area of the house after being hit by a freak storm. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 9 of 10
Big clean-up: The remains of insulation lay scattered all over the property. Photo by Kelly CarmodyImage 10 of 10
Picking up the pieces: Kerrie Hickey’s home in Tatura was destroyed in a freak storm. Photo by Kelly CarmodyLooking at her home a week after the storm, galvanised aluminium was strewn around the property and fluffy bits of insulation from the house roof were spread in every direction, as if they had been torn apart by a thousand puppies.
“It was honestly terrifying, I never want to experience anything like it again,” Ms Hickey said of the moments her house was torn apart.
“My dog, Marlee, and I were outside when it hit, so we ran to the shed for cover because things were starting to fly around. We stayed huddled in the closed doorway.
“I kept covering our ears to try and block out the noise, but it didn’t help.
“When it finally stopped after what felt like an hour and I opened the door, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing — everything was destroyed, and I instantly went into shock.”
Ms Hickey has lived on the outskirts of Tatura for three years and had spent most of that time renovating her home.
The whole house now has to be demolished.
“I have house insurance, which is lucky, but I never worried about the contents because I thought I’d never need it,” Ms Hickey said.
“I did lose a lot inside, but everything is replaceable. Marlee and I are okay and that is all that matters.”
She said calling her brother, Glenn Hickey, in the moments that followed leaving the shed, brought her a sense of calmness.
“Glenn sprang into action and got the first response team on their way,” Ms Hickey said.
“They were incredible, they didn’t stop, and I will be forever grateful for their help.
“The Salvos came out too, which was nice, and a lovely local man brought me a bale of hay for my cows, which was so kind.
“It’s going to take some time to rebuild all of this, including my beautiful gardens that have been ripped clean out of the ground, but we will get there.”
Ms Hickey is currently living in the shed on her property without power, water or a toilet.
She was happy for people to reach out to her via email at kezzalouie7@gmail.com to lend assistance.