Support Michaela and Mackenzie after Cyclone Gabrielle

Michaela and Mackenzie were two weeks out from their wedding and living in Esk Valley, Hawke’s Bay, with their farm pets before Cyclone Gabrielle hit. Now, after evacuating in the pitch dark at 5am on Valentine’s day, Michaela and Mackenzie are thankful to be alive.

On Tuesday morning the fiancés awoke to an emergency alert and quickly found they were trapped as floodwater outside was at chest height and rising. They made a snap decision to go to the nearest hill and after opening gates for their animals, they had to swim to safety. Still in their underwear they swam in complete darkness with only their dog. Once there, they scrambled up in the mud and dark to their neighbours who kindly took them in.

When they returned they found a scene of devastation; silt was just below the windows, water had flowed through their house, the valley beside their house was now level with them and the nearby bridge was un-passable.

They are unsure if their home will ever be restored. Inside the house, silt covers the flooring, their furniture and belongings are soaked in mud and all appliances will have to be replaced. Currently, their backyard is entirely covered in a thick layer of silt and is not safe for any of the surviving animals to be kept at.

Their wedding has been postponed. The enormity of the floods has been traumatic and after clearing the silt Michaela and Mackenzie are afraid they can’t go back. Any donations will be used for replacing items that insurance won’t cover.