Esk Valley flooding takes everything from family.

$19,577 donated

Given by 125 generous donors in 14 days

Share Closed

Help Luke & Catrina O’Connell and two young children recover from the Eskdale floods caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Eskdale, Hawke's Bay

+14 images

Luke & Catrina O’Connell have lost everything in Eskdale; Hawkes Bay due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

They had just built their dream home in Eskdale, for them to enjoy with their two girls; Layla and Zara to see it completely ripped from their land. The house has been displaced a kilometre down the road, where it sank completely emerged to the roof in the flood waters.

Rescued by the army, they have lost everything to the cyclone, other than the clothes they escaped in. All of their belongings have been lost to the raging floods.

View the “other page links” below to watch their devastating story.

This page is a helpful and easy platform for family and friends located in Australia and the UK to support the family in their time of need.

The family does have insurance, however this will only go so far to rebuilding their lives.

Jessica Hunt's involvement (page creator)

Long term high school friend.

Use of funds

These funds will go to immediately towards their urgent needs, and longer term to helping them rebuild from scratch.

Latest update

Update 24 February 2023

Friends, Whanau and Private Donars,

Thank you all for your overwhelming support and generous donations to help Catrina and Luke recover from this devastating event.

The family are well, considering the traumatic events they have gone through. Some days are more challenging than others, but ultimately, they’re just grateful to have come out of this alive with their family intact.

Current focus is on recovery, supporting others and finding somewhere they can call home whilst they work on re-establishing their lives

Thanks again to each and every one of you xx

Share this update

View and comment