Homeowner caught in 'crazy' flood waiting to hear if house a write-off (opens original article in a new tab)

A Wellington couple's newly-renovated home was severely damaged by flash floods, forcing them to escape by scaling a fence with their baby, and they await a geotechnical assessment to determine if the house is a write-off.

• A Wellington couple's home was severely damaged by flash floods on 20 April, with over 70mm of rain falling in an hour
• The couple had to escape their flooded home by scaling a 1.8m fence with their nine-month-old baby, facing significant structural damage and potential house write-off
• Over 25 households remain in temporary accommodation, with 60 households applying for rates remission due to flood damage
• A geotechnical assessment is pending to determine if the couple's home is a write-off, with some properties eligible for rates relief