‘Like a river’: Margaret and Philip Powe tell of heartbreaking flood damage

“Like a river”: An elderly Hobart couple’s life has been turned upside down after Friday’s storms left a trail of destruction in their home of 38 years. SEE THE VIDEO>>>

Philip and Margaret Powe, aged in their 80s, can’t believe how Friday’s violent storm ripped doors off their hinges and upended a washing machine as water a metre deep surged through their Berriedale home leaving a trail of mud and destruction.

About 7am Mr Powe, 87, got up to check the gutters were holding up.

Margaret and Philip Powe (Powe) of Berriedale had flood water inundate their entire home during the recent heavy rain in Hobart and have lost everything that was in the house. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The storm knocked the back door off its hinges and water was rushing in - it was above my knees,” he said.

“I had to open the front door to let it out.

“You watch the floods interstate but you need to see it - and live through it - to believe what it can do.

“We saved what we could and called the SES.”

The couple have lived in their insured brick home for 38 years and have had the odd bit of water around.

Mrs Powe, 81 said the power of the storm was hard to comprehend.

Margaret and Philip Powe (Powe) of Berriedale had flood water inundate their entire home during the recent heavy rain in Hobart and have lost everything that was in the house. Picture: Janette Good

“It broke doors off their hinges, just demolished them, it upended the heavy duty washing machine, submerged the car but luckily it didn’t break the sliding glass doors.

“I hate to think what could have happened.”

When their daughter Janette Good arrived from her Collinsvale home she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“I had a couple of towels and thought there’d be a bit of water but I’d be able to help and then go to work,” Ms Good said.

“It was extraordinary. I didn’t expect this.

“The neighbours were helping and mum and dad were in their dressing gowns and just saturated.

“Even mum’s medications which were in a zip-lock bag in a drawer in the bathroom had mud in them.”

Margaret and Philip Powe (Powe) of Berriedale had flood water inundate their entire home during the recent heavy rain in Hobart and have lost everything that was in the house. Picture: Janette Good

Margaret and Philip Powe (Powe) of Berriedale had flood water inundate their entire home during the recent heavy rain in Hobart and have lost everything that was in the house. Picture: Janette Good

Son Michael Powe was incredulous at the storm’s intensity and devastation.

“It was like a river,” he said.

“Mud and leaves got into drawers and just about everywhere.”

All the couple’s shoes were destroyed.

Ms Good is helping her parents retrieve a few keepsakes.

“Dad’s mum in England had knitted a tea cosy and we found that but it’s a bit stained.

“We had a tape of her talking about her life which we’d just had put it on to a DVD and that was up high so that was a blessing we did that.

Margaret and Philip Powe (Powe) of Berriedale had flood water inundate their entire home during the recent heavy rain in Hobart and have lost everything that was in the house. Picture: Janette Good

Margaret and Philip Powe (Powe) of Berriedale had flood water inundate their entire home during the recent heavy rain in Hobart and have lost everything that was in the house. Picture: Janette Good

“But so much else is lost or broken or just washed away.

Independent Clark MP Kristie Johnston has started a GoFundMe campaign.

“I can’t imagine how devastating it must have been to see a lifetime of belongings and memories wash away.

“Margaret and Philip have lost everything and for a couple in their 80s to have to start over again is going to be a real struggle.”

Ms Johnston is encouraging local businesses to contact her office if they can help.

“I suspect in the coming days and weeks the true extent of what they have lost will really hit, but knowing they have a community of support and love around them will hopefully ease the pain.”

You can donate to the family via GoFundMe here.