BLOWN AWAY: Susan Moore with some of the damage at her Terara property.
LIFE is slowly getting back to normal for the Moore family at Terara after Sunday’s storm.
The family owns Citrus Grove, just west of the Terara village, and had their garden devastated by the tornado that swept through the area, while their 152 year old homestead suffered structural damage.
Owners Peter and Susan Moore could not believe the devastation following Sunday morning’s storm but have been buoyed by the support of the local community.
“It was devastating to see all the damage, but a host of friends and local community members have got in and helped us clean up,” she said.
“Local dairy farmer Ron Graham turned up with his tractor and spent two days helping with the clean up.
“He still had a farm to run yet gave up his time to help, it was amazing.
“The community spirit is just amazing.”
SES crews were also on hand Sunday to help.
One hundred year old trees were smashed, others just simply snapped off as the wind blasted through.
Even a chimney on the homestead was blown over, while glass was blown out of the French doors at the front of the house.
“We’ve had truck load after truck load of damaged trees and stumps removed,” she said.
“We’ve even hired an excavator to come in and help with the clean up.
“It was just like a war zone, in parts it still is.
“It is still hard to look at it, our beautiful garden is just gone.
“We are finding different little things each day, things that have blown around the yard or come in from other properties.
“Overall we are tired but doing ok.”
On Terara Road the majority of the big trees have been removed from the road verges.
“Those guys have worked extremely hard over a number of days and it’s almost complete,” she said