‘We lifted everything; it just wasn’t high enough’

Newly drawn is another higher marker, which shows where floodwater flowed through at about knee-height on October 16, 2022.

Mr Kay has lived in the house for 52 years, but he said he has never seen anything quite like this.

In 1974, about 54mm of water went through the house.

This time it was almost double that — with the 80-year-old estimating water to the height of about 100mm got inside his home.

“It went right through,” he said.

He was also in the house during the 1993 flood, but said that time it only came to his top step and didn’t enter his house.

Mr Kay did the best he could to prepare his home for the flood from the Goulburn River, before moving to safe ground at his brother’s place in Lancaster on Friday, October 14.

He is in a caravan there, and doesn’t know what will happen in the coming months.

For now, he will stay with his brother.

To say what happened is devastating is probably an understatement.

Four days after the flood he had a bevy of helpers at his home, ripping out carpets and helping throw out other household items.

“We are throwing everything — mattresses, beds,” Mr Kay said.

“I’ve been here 52 years and it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it.

“We lifted everything; it just wasn’t high enough.”

On Thursday two boxes of food were dropped off by FoodShare to help ease his load.

“It’s just fantastic,” he said.

For now, he is just glad he has flood insurance.

“Thank God, I’m fully covered for the flood.”