Peter & Bev Slaven Eugowra Floods.

Hey there, we are Pete and Bev's 3 daughters. Christine, Cindy and Vicki.

As most of you have probably seen on the news and in the socials, the small town of Eugowra (where our folks live) got hit by a freak flooding event on Monday 14th November.

Like most of the locals, they have lost everything inside the house and both their cars (and Dad’s lawnmowers).

They are insured, but not for flooding. It will take a lot to clean up, rebuild and restart - emotions, time, energy and money.

They don’t know we’ve done this - they will most likely kill us. But we’re prepared to take a chance (and wear their wrath), we just want to get them back on their feet. It’s also the least we can do after a lifetime of their love and support raising us 3 girls.

Dad and Mum both grew up local to Eugowra and Dad worked out on a property down the Waugan Rd for over 50 yrs retiring in his early 70's and purchasing their first home in 2017 in Loftus St.

Dad spends his time at the local Men's shed and volunteering at the Eugowra Museum. Mum also volunteers at the Museum and can always be counted on to provide baked goods for street stalls, fundraisers or to help with catering.

When the flood hit dad was up and out early (4am ish) to the SES base to volunteer with filling sandbags, he headed home for breakfast around 6am and things at the house were fine - they were far enough from the creek that they might see some water. The house is raised up so he was confident to head back to the SES base and continue volunteering his time to fill, load and deliver sandbags. Mum remained at home.

Dad heard the water was coming and headed off to check in on family. It was at this time he SAW the water coming and turned towards home instead. In his words the water was 2 foot high and moving like a bullet. When he got to the house Mum was already stuck inside and the house was surrounded by water, rushing and rising very fast. The water entered the house and rose to mid waist height, overturning furniture and blocking her back door exit.

Mum remained inside the house, in waist deep water for the entire duration of the flooding. Dad was outside trying to get to her but the water was too deep and too strong. Dad ended up getting on the roof of his ute where the water was lapping just below him, it was at this time he lost his hat (if you know Dad, you know!)

We know that the water was up to the window sills inside the house, and have since seen that it ripped through the back sunroom taking everything with it (fridge, freezer, bedding, baking equipment and many sentimental items) including the sunroom walls!

Dad was evacuated by helicopter and taken to the evac centre at the School and Mum via firetruck to the Showgrounds many hours later as the water was subsiding (she’s NOT a fan of flying).

They were finally reunited in Orange on Tuesday afternoon. We are so very grateful that they are both ok, but now the long road to recover begins.

We will be exceedingly grateful for any and all support.

Thank you,

Christine, Cindy and Vicki.