Flooding at 8.55pm

Yesterday's storm well and truly settled in over night and today.

I'm grateful a taxi took me to and from work today. Grateful too that my home is only partially wet inside where earthquake emergency repairs have not been able to keep the constant sideways blowing rain out. Others are far worse off than me.

Early this evening I was chauffeured to my hair appointment by 4-wheel drive. After 2 cancellations due to my foot the fisher/hunter kindly made it happen despite the weather. I can honestly say I've never worn my gumboots to a hair cut before but tonight I did. They were the only appropriate foot wear.

On the way there we crossed the Heathcote River 3 times and drove along side the lower reaches. What impacted on us was how high it was over the first 2 bridges and had breached its banks at Aynsley Tce. A couple of km's downstream the river was low. The flood bulge was yet to come.

Returning 45 mins later it was much different. The lower reaches had risen significantly. We stopped for a pint and a pizza at Cassels and were surprised a good number of other gumboot clad people.

Between Cassels and home a couple of hours later anywhere near the river was hazardous. This is intersection of Garlands Rd and Aynsley Tce. At 8.55pm things were not boding well and there was not an emergency type person in site.

Viewed through the windscreen there is a lot of water

We also checked out Eastern and Riverside Terraces, the Heathcote River was lapping at the front fences of all but a handful of properties along Riverside. No one from the council or civil defense either.

Meanwhile the dampness factor at home had increased. I guess the silver lining is next week I will be scoped for earthquake repairs to my home. It's pretty clear where the emergency repairs haven't worked.

Things aren't looking good for a lot of people. We've been through enough. You can stop raining now.

Please.