As the wind started to pick up, black clouds appeared and heavy rain started to fall on Saturday, December 7, Arwen Hannaford headed outside to dance in the rain.
Within moments, she realised the storm was going to be bad, and headed for the safety of her Lurg home.
The day before, on Friday, December 6, a storm was moving across Benalla and district.
“There had been storms circling the entire week,” Arwen said.
“I was coming home from Wangaratta and Mark called me and said, just bunker down, it’s too dangerous to drive at the moment.”
Arwen made it home, but was aware there was more to come.
“We saw more warnings about a storm coming through on Saturday,” she said.
Arwen said the family weren’t too concerned, as the storm in question was coming from the west.
“Storms from the west normally go around us,” Arwen said.
“In the afternoon we took Tyson to cricket. We were just home from that, and I was doing the washing up when I saw black clouds building and building.
The couple were still sure the brunt of the storm would miss them, but Arwen headed out to put their goats away, just in case.
“I yelled out to Mark and Tyson to help me,” she said.
By the time they were outside, the storm hit, and it hit hard.
“Tyson, he’s 11, so he ran straight back into the house, and Mark bunkered down in the shed with the goats,” Arwen said.
“Then there was a massive dump of rain.
“I thought it was kind of fun and had a little dance in the rain.”
It was then that she realised things were getting worse. The wind was getting stronger, the rain dropping harder and trees began to fall.
“I ran inside and tried to push the door shut, but I couldn’t,” Arwen said.
“I was yelling at the kids to get into the middle of the room and stay away from the windows.”
She looked out the window and could see the nails holding the roof down shooting off like bullets.
“They were getting plucked out one by one,” she said.
“And then it happened, so quickly.
“The roof literally buckled above our heads and peeled off completely and went into the trees behind us.”
The only thing above the family’s head was cement sheeting, which was leaking rain in the house, and the couple feared it would collapse.
“It was sinking and all the gaps started to split, and it was close to falling in,” Arwen said.
“Then I realised that half the bedrooms of the house were still dry.
“So I got the kids to go in there, away from the windows, and then I was just trying to save everything.
“By then the roof was off, and we were just saturated with water.
“It peeled back like the wrapper on a box of chocolates.”
Unfortunately, the house had been unable to be insured.
The family lost everything.
“SES couldn’t even tarp it because of the asbestos,” Arwen said.
Arwen said all that could be recovered were some clothes and furniture.
Benalla Rural City Council was able to put the family into emergency accommodation for two days.
After which a family member secured them a holiday rental in Benalla for another six days.
They are now staying, temporarily, with friends in Wangaratta while they try to find a solution.
A friend has started a GoFundMe page, which has already secured more than $20,000 in donations from local people.
Other families have helped with school clothes for the children.
And thankfully, Arwen said the kids’ main Christmas presents were saved.
Arwen, Mark and the kids are headed to NSW to enjoy Christmas with family soon, but have a big task when they return.
The couple are seeking advice on how to repair their home.
Arwen said they believed the frame was in good condition, and they had been trying to source enough metal sheeting to get it covered.
If you can help out with building materials, or advice, Arwen asked if you could call her on 0401 106 735.
You can also donate to money to help the family rebuild their lives at gofundme.com/f/5hyp4-this-beautiful-family-in-need/