One of those affected was Joey’s Preschool and Early Learning Centre in Moore Street.

Located in a hollow in the street, water gushed down from higher points across the road and also both ends of the street.

The property sustained $200,000 damage and had to close for a number of weeks for the clean-up and the damage to be repaired.

Owner and director Carolyn Chivers said she went to the centre early to open up and couldn’t believe her eyes.

“There was 10cm of water right through the building, the front play area was a flooded mess,  there was more than three tonne of gravel in the front yard and the four bay shed down the back we use for storage was flooded,” she said.

“[Husband] Tavis came around and we tried to lift up as much furniture we could to get it out of the water.

“We couldn’t open that Tuesday and we had to remain closed for the rest of the week.

“The building was professionally cleaned and sanitised on Anzac Day and we re-opened on the Monday.

“But the children couldn’t use the playground for nine weeks.”

According to the couple the insurance company was quite good, and once they saw a video of the water flooding into the property, things began moving along.

The centre was closed for a week in the June school holidays and all the inside repairs were carried out.

“All the flooring had to be replaced, some of the gyprock and doors.

“The preschool room was the worst affected as it is at the front of the building and we had to replace a lot of furniture and shelving.

“Everything had to be removed from the building for the floors to be replaced – basically it was an empty shell.

“Builders and painters were working over each other to get the work done before the flooring went down and the toilets and other fixtures could be replaced.

“And the front playground area has all been replaced and the kids are thrilled to be able to go outside again.”